Lavender Oil Benefits: Unveiling Its Power for Sleep and More
Lavender essential oil is such a versatile household staple and can be used in everything from potpourri to treating bug bites.
But one of its most well-known uses is as a sleep aid because the beautiful lavender scent has lovely, calming properties.
As a huge advocate of all things wellness, Wecasa has some great tips on how to harness the power of lavender essential oil for sleep.
Understanding Lavender Oil
First things first, let’s take a closer look at lavender essential oil and why it’s such a powerful ingredient.
What is Lavender Oil?
Lavender oil comes from the lavender plant, a beautiful scented herb with purple flowers that’s native to the Mediterranean.
Through a process called steam distillation, the essential oil is extracted to be used as an ingredient in skin and body care, fragrances, cleaning products, and much more.
The Different Types of Lavender Oil
There are actually several different species of lavender plant, which means there are multiple different types of lavender essential oil.
The back of your oil bottle should state the name of the species, although Lavandula angustifolia is the most popularly used in essential oils.
But don’t worry if yours is a different variety! They smell almost the exact same as the average person and have very similar properties. This makes them virtually interchangeable.
The Benefits of Pure Lavender Oil
If you’re working with pure lavender oil, here are some of the benefits you can expect!
Lavender Oil for Sleep and Relaxation
Lavender oil is often used to promote relaxation, better sleep, and reduce stress. Its soothing scent is believed to have calming effects on the mind and body.
Studies show that this may be because the smell of lavender influences neurotransmitters in the brain to stimulate nice, calming chemicals.
For this reason, you’ll often find lavender-infused sleep products AND sprays, you can also use it as an ingredient for a DIY aromatherapy. Health Benefits Beyond Sleep
A bottle of lavender essential oil is surprisingly versatile! It can also be used to repel insects, take the sting out of bug bites, and for the relief of headaches and migraines.
High-quality, food-grade lavender oil can also be used in baking and cooking - who knew?!
How to Use Lavender Essential Oil for Sleep
If you want to unlock the sleep-boosting benefits of lavender oil, here’s how to go about it.
Topical Application
Try dotting a little lavender oil strategically on your body, so that the lovely smell drifts and calms you as you sleep. Essential oils come with a variety of benefits and modes of application, check out our rundown on the ways you can use rosemary oil for hair growth, for example.
Spots like your wrist, inner elbows, and chest will help carry the scent, but you can also apply some to your temples, under your nose and on your pillow.
Aromatherapy and Diffusers
Another great option is to infuse your room with the smell of lavender oil by using aromatherapy diffusers.
An essential oil diffuser is a nice way to get the smell of lavender circulating in your room in the form of mist or vapour.
Or, you can use a diffuser (such as a reed diffuser) for a more subtle effect.
Choosing the Right Lavender Oil
Sometimes the oils we buy in the shops come diluted in a neutral carrier oil or mixed with other essential oils.
Whether you’ve opted for a pure lavender oil or a lovely little blend, it’s important to know what’s in your oil and how to safely use it.
Pure Lavender Oil vs. Blends
Pure lavender oil will only have one ingredient in it - the lavender essential oil.
However, this can be a little too strong for some people. In that case, you can also find lavender-infused almond or jojoba oils, or even diluted lavender water.
To harness the aromatherapy powers of other herbs and oils, you can also find essential oil blends. Some popular combinations include lavender with eucalyptus, rosemary, or lemon.
What to Look for in Quality Lavender Oil
If you want a high-quality lavender oil, be sure to check the label. It should clearly state whether it is a pure lavender oil, and even what species of plant was used to make it.
It’s worth spending a little more to ensure you get high-quality oil from a reputable source, without any fillers or additives.
Safety and Precautions
Lavender oil is very safe to use at home, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few tips to keep in mind…
Understanding Potential Side Effects
For people with sensitive skin, essential oils (including lavender) can cause some irritation and itching.
This can also manifest in the form of photo-sensitivity, making your skin more sensitive to light. For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep the oil off your face during the day and save the lavender for nighttime.
Safe Practices in Using Essential Oils
You should always patch-test essential oils before using them all over your body, to make sure you don’t experience a reaction.
If you do have a bit of redness or itching, then be sure to dilute the lavender essential oil in a moisturiser or hydrating body oil to avoid irritation.
And of course - always work in an open, well-ventilated space when you’re dealing with essential oils. They’re small but mighty and can cause some respiratory irritation. This is especially important if you’re mixing and matching your oils!
Lavender Oil in Everyday Life
Sold on the benefits of lavender essential oil? Here’s how to use them in your daily routine!
Incorporating Lavender Oil into Your Nightly Routine
Keep a bottle of lavender oil on your bedside table, and dot it on your pillow before bed every night.
You can also dilute it in a spray bottle of water for your DIY sleep spray!
Beyond Sleep: Other Uses of Lavender Essential Oil
Having a bottle of lavender oil is also handy if you want to venture into making personal bath salts and oils, aromatherapy, cleaning products, insect repellants, or massage oils. The sky’s the limit!
Looking for ways to unwind and embrace tranquillity? Turn to Wecasa, your ultimate platform for wellness, relaxation, and self-care solutions!
