Lavender: The Ultimate Herb

Common Names: lavender, English lavender, common lavender, French lavender

Latin Name: Lavandula angustifolia

In this post I will go over multiple ways to use lavender to help wounds, colds, and even a messy house!

Basic Background

The plant is native to the Mediterranean region and Northern Africa, and its name comes from the Latin verb Lavare, meaning to wash, since it was often added to bathing products to enhance the smell.

Lavender the plant itself has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and its oil has chemicals that have shown a reduce in anxiety and blood pressure. Below are some ways that I have used lavender!

1. Soap

I know this one seems pretty simple, but do you know how powerful washing your skin in something bad can be? Well imagine the opposite, using lavender in your soap helps with inflammation, certain rashes, and even hair loss when applied to the scalp!

Add oil to your body soap, lotion, and shampoo, or even the flowers!

2. Hair Loss

Ok, Ok, I know this is going to be hard to believe, but a lot of the time when people go bald it is not just "hereditary" and can be stopped or even eliminated.

What happens to the scalp when a person goes bald is the skin stretches, which makes it a lot harder for the hair follicle to come out and usually dries out. What if I said early prevention and scalp maintenance could solve your problems?? Some studies have shown to even help patients with Alopecia.

Applying Lavender oil directly to your scalp helps with inflammation (no stretching) and then cleanses and moisturizes the skin to help allow hair growth!

"That trademark smell comes from oil in the flower, which has medicinal properties. But the flower itself has medicinal properties, too." – says integrative medicine specialist Dr. Yufang Lin

3. Anxiety Depression & Stress

Lavender is known for its ability to calm the nervous system, and its oil contains important compounds such as linalool. Linalool has been shown to reduce anxiety and blood pressure

Lavender has also been shown to help increase your melatonin levels and help with sleep, more/better sleep means a healthier brain and less depression, anxiety, and stress!

You can apply the essential oil to your skin, or use it in a spritz, or even added to your aromatherapy to help reduce nerves.

My personal favorite is to add it to my tea! It is the perfect wind down and relax time I need while also healing my body!

DO NOT INGEST THE LAVENDER OIL ORALLY UNLESS DISCUSSED WITH YOU DOCTOR OR PRACTITIONER FIRST!

4. Skin Rashes and Wounds

Personally, I have used the oil and extracts to help with my burns, small cuts and scrapes, eczema, rashes and dry skin.

Studies show that lavender has anti-fungal properties and that it is effective in combating a wide range of antifungal-resistant infections and was similar to saline solution in healing when used with small wounds.

1. First clean the affected area with soap and water

2. Next apply a small amount of lavender oil to the affected area

5. Cleaning Products

Anti-bacterial Anti-microbial Anti-viral and Anti-Septic; adding lavender oil, or extracts to your cleaning products has so many benefits! Before we had our medical grade cleaning products hospitals used to use lavender to clean!

You can buy some pre-made natural cleaning products online or at your local store, or you can make your own! I am going to do a full post of making your own cleaning products this coming Sunday, just in time for all the Thanksgiving get togethers!

All in all, lavender has incredible benefits for your health, and I definitely recommend adding some natural lavender oil to your medicine cabinet or to your garden!