~ LAVENDER (Lavendula angustifolia) has a fresh, sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma that is soothing and refreshing. From the mint family, Lavender essential oil healing properties make it one of the four ‘Universal Healing Oils’ known to balance the body and to work where ever there is a need. Called ‘First Aid in a Bottle,’ it has a long history of herbal medicinal uses since Medieval times. Lavender, an adaptogen, can assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances. Because it is the most versatile of all essential oils, no home should be without it. When in doubt, use Lavender!
It is a great aid for relaxing and winding down before bedtime, yet has balancing properties that can also boost stamina and energy. Lavender therapeutic-grade essential oil has pain-relieving (analgesic) properties, tension-releasing, soothing systemic effects – especially for nerves, cardiovascular systems, & emotions. Plus many other health benefits. Non-irritating. Non-sensitizing.
PROPERTIES: Analgesic, Anti-Coagulant, Anti-Convulsive, Anti-Depressant, Anti-Fungal, Antihistamine, Anti-Infectious, Anti-Inflammatory, Antiseptic, Anti-Spasmodic, Antitoxic, Cardiotonic, Regenerative, Sedative
BODY SYSTEM(S) AFFECTED: Cardiovascular System, Emotional Balance, Nervous System, Skin
FRENCH MEDICAL USES: Acne, Allergies, Burns (cell renewal), Cramps (legs), Dandruff, Diaper rash, Flatulence, Hair loss, Herpes, Indigestion, Insomnia, Blood pressure (lower), Lymphatic system drainage, Pre-Menstrual & Menopausal symptoms, Mouth abscess, Nausea, Phlebitis, Scarring (minimizes), Stretch marks, Tachycardia, Thrush, Water retention
OTHER HEALTH USES:
- Arthritis/Rheumatism; Convulsions; Influenza; Typhoid fever,
- Cardiovascular System: Headaches; Heart (irregularity); Fainting; reduce high blood pressure
- Digestive support: gallstones, nausea
- Muscular: Aches & pains, cramps (legs & menstrual)
- Oral health: cold sores, mouth injuries
- Respiratory, Ear, Nose & Throat Issues: asthma; bronchitis, hay fever & allergies;laryngitis, earaches; throat infections, tuberculosis;Whooping cough
- Skin regeneration: acne, abscesses-boils, blisters, bruises, burns (cell renewal / scar prevention), carbuncles, cuts, scrapes,, eczema, herpes cold sores, hives, insect bites & bee stings, infections, psoriasis, sunburns/sunstroke; sprains;
- Stress & Anxiety related issues: depression, hysteria, insomnia, migraine headaches, tension.
CAUTION: Keep out of reach of children & pets.
SOURCES:
Reference Guide for Essential Oils, Tenth Edition
16 thoughts on “LAVENDER Essential Oil Healing Properties”
How do you apply this oil? Topically? Directly on say acne? on pulse points, feet?? Please advise. I happen to have some from a while ago. Thank you.
Hi Carla ~ Which brand of lavender essential oil do you have? Is it therapeutic quality? And have you kept it tightly capped, out of heat and light, which degrade essential oils quickly?
If it’s therapeutic quality lavender essential oil you may smell it, apply it on pulse point, your chest, and the soles of your feet (before bedtime) or on a tissue tucked into your pillow case for it’s calming effects.
For acne, bug bites, cuts, scratches, burns, other minor infections ~ apply it topically.
You can even add teeny amounts to baked goods (cookies / biscuits / quick breads / frosting / syrups) and ice cream.
Enjoy your lavender! And tell us how you use it.
Thank you for all this great info. It is Young Living and it was in a drawer so I think it’s still good. I look forward to using your advice!
You’re welcome. Enjoy your lavender!
Hello,
I have Lavendula Angustifolia and read recently that although it can be used for perfumes and lotions, it is not therapeutically viable. Is that true? Also, how would one apply lavender essential oil to cuts? I’m hesitant to apply it directly to the cut, but perhaps that is the way it is done?
Thank you!
Hi Kay ~ Lavendula Angustifolia is definitely therapeutic, if it’s 100% pure therapeutic-grade essential oil! There’s the issue, some lavender is diluted with aroma-chemicals that may be toxic. What brand of Lavender do you have?
100% pure Lavender essential oil may be applied directly to cuts, scratches, rashes, burns, acne, etc. If doing so makes you nervous, apply a few drops on your skin around the cut. Pure essential oils will be absorbed within seconds without any oiliness. The healing oils will be transported by your lymph & blood to help the injury heal.
FYI: The field of medical aromatherapy was created by a French cosmetic chemist/perfumer, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, when after being severely burned in a laboratory accident, dunked his arm in a vat of Lavender EO which he mistakenly thought was water. The skin healed so quickly the medical application for using essential oils ‘aromathérapie’ was born.
Thank you for your prompt and helpful response!
I have 365 Everyday Value lavender oil from Whole Foods. It is “100% pure” according to the label.
I think I will try putting some oil around the cut as you suggested.
Thanks again!
You are welcome! Kay ~ Let us know how your cut responds. Once it has a scab, put the Lavender right over the area, so scarring is minimized. You also may be interested in reading how my sister healed a painful large hot coffee grounds burn on her wrist with a combination of Lavender & Frankincense essential oils.
Hi Cynthe,
I just recently became a distributor of the YLO’s and haven’t received anything to try yet…soon, i hope. Anyway, my son has eczema and i was wondering how to apply it topically?
Thanks!
Nicole ~ Thanks for stopping by. Depending on what age you son is, you may want to dilute the YLO Lavender essential oil with jojoba. There are specific guidelines we were taught in our aromatherapy certification training. And apply it at night, if he doesn’t want to be ‘smelly’ during the daytime.
There are many causes of eczema. If you would be interested in a consultation for him, where we discuss his health history, allergies, environmental exposures, etc. either on the phone or via email, I’ll do specific research on his behalf, and email detailed suggestions, my fees are: $26/15 minutes – $44/30 minutes – $80/hour.
Thanks for the reply. He is only 3 but i apply it to his feet and temples each night so i may just try it directly on his skin 😉
Hi Cynthe,
I wonder if you can tell me the difference in therapeutic properties between Lavendula Officinialis and Lavendula Angustifolia. I want to make up 3 massage oils using Lavender – one for stretch marks (together with Neroli and Mandarin), in another for massaging babies (maybe with similar ingredients and lilly of the valley..) and one for childbirth labour (together with clary sage and bergomot)
Are the two types of lavender fairly equal in their cytophylactic properties for healing stretch marks, and their sedative effects? I’ve only ever used Lavendula Officinalis…
I would be grateful for your advice.
Thank you <3
Hi Colette,
Am just getting to your question now as I was out-of-town on a mini-camping trip…
According to my reference: “Aromatherapy for Health Professionals” (3rd Edition, pg. 18) edited by Shirley & Len Price, Lavandula angustifolia (lavender grown from seed vs. being a clone plant) is the same as Lavendula officinalis and Lavandula vera. Lavender cultivated from seed will naturally have some chemical constituent variability due to genetic variations from seed to seed.
BTW, I would strongly suggest avoiding ‘Lily of the Valley’ in your babies’ massage blend. That particular aroma is always made from synthetic aroma chemicals or at best would be a blend of other ‘natural’ oils. Convallaria majalis cannot be steam distilled due to its complex aroma compounds and is most often entirely recreated from synthetic chemicals with effects that could be detrimental.
This week, our Tai Chi teacher’s chronically sore C5-C6 neck vertebrae were especially painful.
Feb 20 ~ During yesterday’s class I noticed Joanne seemed to have a stiff neck. Asking her about it, she said after being rear-ended in a couple of car accidents when she was younger, and now with chronic arthritis, she’s ALWAYS in pain. I suggested since she had a bottle of GERMAN CHAMOMILE essential oil, to use it (2-3 drops) in combination with LAVENDER essential oil (5-6 drops) on her sore neck that evening to see if she could get some relief.
Feb 21 ~ Here are Joanne’s email comments from this morning: “Doctor Cynthe, You beat me to it!! A note was already written to you in my head when I awoke this morning. The Lavender and German Chamomile worked wonders and gave amazing relief. This regimen will definitely be an important part of each day now.
With appreciation and all good wishes,
Joanne”
Hi,
Do you know if the Whole Foods 365 Lavender Essential Oil (and also their tea tree oil) are good quality? They say 100% pure but it’s hard to find in depth info about them and I’ve been searching for hours! Thanks!
Raya ~ No, I don’t know. Contact Whole Foods Customer Service either on-line or by phoning your local Whole Foods store. Ask if their 365 Essential Oils are grown organically, steam-distilled, and unadulterated. If they are, then those essential oils should be good quality. Let us know what you find out!