Lavender not only smells fantastic but also has an immense amount of therapeutic properties. Lavender is the go-to essential oil for people who are ready to relax. Most of us know that Lavender helps us to relax but are unsure how. Let’s find out.
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1. Effects on Parasympathetic Nervous System
Lavender has been shown to affect the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system in our bodies controls the processes of regulating our heart rate, the rhythm of how we breathe, and the number of hormones our body secretes. Lavender can aid the body in being restored to a neutral state by helping to lower the heart rate, adrenaline levels, and slow breathing.
In other words, reach for your bottle of lavender oil when you are all jacked up from a horrible day at work and feel like your whole body is out of whack.
2. Relief from Headaches
If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from migraine or tension headaches, you will surely want to familiarize yourself with lavandula essential oil and how it can help you next time you feel like your head is in a vice. Headaches are awful, and everyone wants to get rid of one as quickly as possible. Most people reach for Tylenol or another over-the-counter pain reliever the minute they feel it coming on.
Still, studies have shown that lavandula is effective in helping reduce headaches and is a natural way to help ease the pain of a headache. It also helps to induce relaxation and relieve tension while acting as a sedative, anti-anxiety, and calming agent. Studies have shown that inhaling lavender oil for 15 minutes helps reduce the pain experienced by migraine sufferers during an attack. Below are some ways to use lavender when experiencing a headache.
- Rub a couple of drops of lavender oil and peppermint oil into the back of the neck and on the temple area of your head.
- Diffuse and breathe in for 15 minutes.
- Add five to 10 drops to a warm-water bath and take deep breaths.
- Smell directly from the bottle or cap for 3 minutes.
3. Bug Bites Be Gone
Lavandula essential oil is excellent for bug bites. It helps reduce the sting and pain of bug bites and inflammation. Next time you go camping, or if you are just outside having an outdoor movie night on the lawn with your kids, grab the lavender and get ready for those little winged invaders. It will smell better than insect spray and will be more natural. It is also effective at repelling moths and other insects when used as a spray.
4. First Aid
Lavender essential oil has potent antiseptic properties and is often used in treating minor scrapes, burns, wounds, and sores. Research shows it speeds up healing because of its antimicrobial compounds. For burn relief and to treat cuts, scratches, or scrapes, mix three to five drops of lavender oil with ½ teaspoon of coconut oil, and apply the mixture to the area of concern. You can use your fingers or a clean cotton ball.
5. Sleep, Oh Wonderful Sleep
How sweet it is to experience a good night’s sleep, except all too often, that is not the case. Many people today cannot seem to get a good night’s rest. Insomnia sufferers and those who can’t seem to fall asleep will be happy to know that lavender is an essential oil that helps help you catch those precious zzz’s. A lot of research has shown that inhaling lavender essential oil reduces sleep disturbance and improves the overall quality of your sleep.
Lavender also helps to keep you asleep longer. This is great for those who are up and down all night long. Lavender helps to improve one’s overall well-being and calms the soul. It is also natural, so it doesn’t give you that jet lag feeling like sleep sedatives do in the morning. You wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day.
To improve your sleep quality, diffuse it in your bedroom before or during sleep. Also, you can rub three to five drops directly on your neck, chest, and temples.
Taking a relaxing bath by adding 15 drops of lavender and one cup of Epsom salts to the bathtub is another excellent way to use lavender oil to improve sleep and relax the body.
Making a mixture of lavender oil and Roman chamomile is the best combination for improving sleep. Just rub this mixture into the back of your neck and wrists to induce a calm, peaceful feeling.
6. Effects on Blood Sugar
Millions of Americans suffer from diabetes each year. The effect of diabetes on the body is damaging and, to some, debilitating. There are more and more sufferers yearly, and diet is one of the most significant contributing factors.
Many medications are used now to help treat diabetes, but most are prescription. In 2014, a group of Tunisian scientists conducted a study to test the effects of lavender on blood sugar. The scientists were interested in researching whether lavender could help reverse diabetes naturally. The animal study lasted 15 days, and researchers were encouraged to find that lavender essential oil treatment protected the body from many diabetes symptoms.
Some are listed below.
- Increased levels of blood glucose
- Metabolic disorders
- Depletion of antioxidants in the liver and kidneys
- Dysfunction of the liver and kidneys
- Weight gain
Research findings and future studies are ongoing to explore the total capacity of lavender to prevent and reverse diabetes. Although the Tunisian study makes no promises of diabetes reversal, it is extremely promising and exhibits the therapeutic benefits of lavender in treating and preventing diabetes.
To use it for diabetes, use it topically on your neck and chest, diffuse it at home, or supplement with it.
7. Natural Antioxidant
Poor diet is once again a culprit in creating damage to our bodies. When our body is depleted and deficient in antioxidants, we become more susceptible to disease risk. Free radicals, toxins, and poor diet leave Americans at a greater risk of our immune systems shutting down. When that happens, our body cannot fight disease. The body’s natural defense against free radicals is to create antioxidant enzymes that aid the body in stopping free radicals from wreaking havoc within the body.
Lavender is a natural antioxidant that helps prevent and reverse oxidative stress. This makes lavender vital to helping create a barrier between us and disease.
8. Helps Alleviate Menstrual Cramping
Any woman who has experienced cramping understands how painful it can be. Some women experience only minor cramping, while others suffer days of unrelenting pain from intense menstrual cramping. Ladies, you will be happy to know that lavender can provide a natural relief alternative to over-the-counter medication. When rubbed or massaged into the skin, it can help relieve dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea is a long name for the pain associated with cramping in the lower abdomen during your period. So, make sure you stock up before your monthly visitor comes calling.
9. Great for Your Hair
Lavender oil is a fantastic natural remedy for your hair. Primarily because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- When massaged into your scalp daily, it can increase hair growth and prevent dandruff.
- Apply a little to your hair brush daily and brush your hair to create that beautiful lush head of hair we all desire.
- Add a few drops to your shampoo and conditioner.
- Rub a few drops in your palm and run your fingers through your hair for beautiful hair.
10. Improves Your Mood
Lavender helps to elevate your mood and reduces stress. Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it won’t work. Give it a try next time you feel down in the dumps or moody, and see the difference after inhaling its soothing vapors for just 3 minutes. It is also known to help with the effects of anxiety and depression.
11. Helps Promote Healthy Brain Function
Studies conducted on lab animals show that inhaling lavender essential oil helps prevent brain oxidative stress and improve brain function.
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