Considered to be the most well-known and most widely used essential oil, lavender’s calming properties can have a positive effect on both your mental-emotional and physical health.
Lavender essential oil at a glance
Scientific name: Lavendula Angustifolia
Parts used: Flowers
Main properties: Sedative, antihistamine, relaxant, soothing, antibacterial, regenerative, nervine
Emotional gifts: Peace and tranquility; facilitates emotional healing; authentic and open communication; helps you to slow down and enjoy the moment; self-awareness
Blends well with: Citrus oils, frankincense, tea tree
Method(s) of use: Aromatically (A), topically (T) and internally (I)*
Safety: Lavender is safe for ‘neat’ application, meaning you can apply it undiluted to your skin (always dilute essential oils for young or sensitive people)
Cool Fact: The term aromatherapy was coined by the French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse in 1937. He suffered severe burns to his hands while working in his laboratory and treated his hands with pure lavender essential oil. Lavender soothed the pain and helped the skin to heal without infection or scarring.
Supporting your well-being with lavender
Skin care (cuts, burns, blisters, scabs, rashes etc): Soothes the skin; helps it to heal and avoid scarring
Bug bites/stings: Apply directly to the bite/sting area to soothe, reduce signs of inflammation and to help relieve the sting/burn/itching sensation
Sleep: Apply lavender at bedtime or diffuse to create a sense of calm and help to improve sleep. Can be taken internally* as part of a sleep regime.
Stress: Use lavender topically or in a diffuser to help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and to facilitate open and honest communication. Lavender can also be taken internally* to soothe anxious feelings.
Seasonal health issues: Inhale or take lavender internally* under the tongue to help calm seasonal symptoms
Tension: Apply to base of skull and/or temples to ease head tension related to stress
Cooking & Baking: Add to your favourite recipes* such as cookies, lemonade, tea, cake or ice cream. Click here to get my lavender lemonade recipe.
*always read the label of your essential oil to make sure it’s safe for internal use.
Blends and recipes
Before using essential oils, learn how to use them safely and appropriately. Read my article on how to use essential oils here. Read the article on safety precautions here. Always use pure and therapeutic grade essential oils for your wellbeing. Read more about purity here.
Seasonal blend
1 drop lavender
1 drop peppermint
Combine oils in your palm, rub palms together and inhale deeply for 1-2 minutes. Additionally you can add a few drops of carrier oil to the above blend and apply to your chest, bottoms of feet and back of neck. For internal use, mix the above oils in 2 oz of water, swish in your mouth for 30 seconds, then swallow.
Relaxing Bath
5 drops lavender
2-3 drops wild orange
2-3 drops frankincense or cedarwood
1 cup epsom salts
½ cup baking soda
Combine oils with epsom salts and baking soda in a small bowl and stir well. Add to running bath water and enjoy a deeply relaxing and restorative bath
Peaceful sleep
5 drops lavender
1-2 drops Roman chamomile
1-2 drops vetiver
1-2 drops cedarwood
1-2 drops juniper berry
Diffuse the above oils at bedtime. You can also add these oils to a 5ml roller bottle. Top with carrier oil and apply to bottoms of feet, back of neck and inhale from palms.
Sunburn support
10 drops lavender
5 drops helichrysum
5 drops peppermint (use only if skin is not broken)
Add oils to a 5ml roller bottle and top with carrier oil. Apply gently to affected skin. Alternatively, add oils and carrier oil to a 1 oz spray bottle and spray area.
Clear and honest communication blend
10 drops lavender
5 drops spearmint
2 drops lime
1 drop rose (optional)
Diffuse in the room during tough conversations. Or add to a 5 ml roller bottle, top with carrier oil and apply to back of neck, inside wrists, behind ears, and over the heart.
While lavender is a great oils to start your essential oil experience with, it is actually a very deep and profound oil that will support you as you navigate the rest of your life.
Enjoy!
All my best,
Daniela
Live/Dried Blood Analysis - Homeopathy - Essential Oils Specialist
Nutrition & Lifestyle
daniela@danielaharfman.com
References:
The Essential Life, 5th Edition
Emotions and Essential Oils, 7th Edition
Advanced Oil Magic, 2019 Edition
Gifts of the Essential Oils by Adam Barralet and Vanessa J. B. Ovens
https://www.doterra.com/US/en/p/lavender-oil
https://www.fgb.com.au/content/history-essential-oils