Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular and versatile essential oils in New Zealand. Derived from the flowers of the lavender plant, Lavender oil has been used for centuries for its soothing properties and has many potential physical and mental health benefits.
Lavender oil is usually the first oil that is recommended or used when you're just embarking on a therapeutic scent journey. In this guide, we'll be checking through the benefits of lavender essential oil and how to experience each of them fully in New Zealand.
Benefits Of Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is a popular aromatherapy oil because of its many benefits. Here are some benefits of lavender essential oil:
Promotes Relaxation
Lavender essential oil is well-known for its ability to promote relaxation and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. This is because the oil contains compounds that have a calming effect on the nervous system.
When inhaled, the aroma of lavender essential oil interacts with the olfactory system, which is connected to the part of the brain that regulates emotions and the stress response. This interaction can help reduce anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve overall mood.
How to Enjoy this:
Diffusing: One of the most popular ways to use lavender oil for relaxation is to diffuse it. Add a few drops of lavender oil to a diffuser, allowing the scent to fill the room.
Inhalation: Put a few drops of lavender oil on a tissue or handkerchief and inhale the scent deeply.
Pillow: Add a drop or two of lavender oil to your pillowcase to help you relax and fall asleep.
Improves Quality of Sleep
The calming effects of lavender essential oil can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, leading to better sleep. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that inhaling lavender essential oil for 30 minutes before bedtime improved participants' sleep quality and increased their well-being.
Secondly, Lavender essential oil has been found to have soothing effects on the body, promoting deeper, more restful sleep. Inhaling lavender essential oil increases the amount of slow-wave sleep in participants, which is the most refreshing and rejuvenating stage for the body.
How to Enjoy this:
Diffusing: Add a few drops of lavender oil to a diffuser and let the scent fill your room before bedtime.
Massage: Mix a few drops of lavender oil with 10 ml of carrier oil, such as coconut or sweet almond oil, and use it to give yourself a relaxing massage before bed.
Pillow Spray: Mix a few drops of lavender oil with water in a spray bottle and spritz your pillow and bedding before bedtime.
Pain Relief
Lavender essential oil has been found to have natural pain-relieving properties that make it a useful oil for managing different types of pain. Lavender oil has been shown to reduce the severity of headaches and migraines by applying it to the temples or inhaling it. Applying lavender oil topically to the lower abdomen can help to reduce the severity of menstrual cramps.
Also, massaging lavender oil onto the affected joints can help to reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and joint pain.
How to Enjoy this:
Topical application: Use 10 drops of lavender oil per 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of carrier oil, such as coconut or jojoba oil, and apply it directly to the affected area. Massage the oil into your skin for a few minutes to help promote absorption and pain relief.
Inhalation: Add a few drops of lavender oil to a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam.
Diffusing: Add a few drops of lavender oil to a diffuser and let the scent fill the room.
Enhances the Mood
Lavender essential oil is often used for its mood-enhancing properties. The scent of lavender has been found to have a calming effect on the nervous system, which can help to promote relaxation and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.
The anxiolytic properties of lavender oil can help reduce anxiety and stress, promoting a more positive mood. Some studies have suggested that lavender oil's scent can help boost energy levels, promoting a more positive and alert mood.
How To Enjoy This:
Diffusing: Add a few drops of lavender oil to a diffuser and let the scent fill your room.
Inhalation: Place a few drops of lavender oil on a cotton ball and inhale the aroma.
Room spray: Mix a few drops of lavender oil with water in a spray bottle and spritz your room to create a calming atmosphere.
Skincare
Lavender oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help to soothe and calm the skin, making it a useful oil for treating conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
It can help to moisturise the skin and prevent dryness, which can help to promote a healthy, glowing complexion. Some studies have also suggested that lavender oil has anti-aging effects on the skin by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by preventing aging.
How to Enjoy this:
Moisturiser: Mix a few drops of lavender oil with 10 ml of carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil, and use it as a moisturiser for your face and body.
Improves Respiratory Health
Lavender oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract, making it a useful oil for treating conditions like bronchitis and asthma.
The scent of lavender oil has been found to have a soothing effect on the throat and can help to reduce coughing. It can also help relax the muscles in the respiratory system, making breathing easier.
How to Enjoy this:
Diffusing: Add a few drops of lavender oil to a diffuser and let the scent fill the room. The antibacterial properties of lavender oil can help purify the air and reduce the risk of respiratory infections.
Inhalation: Add a few drops of lavender oil to a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam. This can help soothe the respiratory system and reduce inflammation.
Immune Responses
Lavender oil has natural antimicrobial properties that can help to fight off bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms that can weaken the immune system. It also has natural antioxidant properties, which can help to protect the body against oxidative stress and support overall immune function.
How to Enjoy this:
Inhalation: Add a few drops of lavender oil to a cotton ball or handkerchief and inhaling the scent throughout the day. This can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, supporting immune function.
Massage: Mix a few drops of lavender oil with 10 ml of carrier oil, such as sweet almond or coconut oil, and massage the mixture onto your skin. This can help improve lymphatic circulation and support immune function.
Blend Suggestions
So far, we have seen the benefits of lavender essential oil and how to enjoy each. We see aromatherapy as one of the major ways we can harness lavender oil's benefits via diffusers and massage.
To have a perfect experience, it's highly recommended to make the oil in a blend by adding some other essential oils that would heighten its aroma. Each of these blends is specific for what you want to use the lavender oil for.
For example, we have the anxiety blend that works for calming and relaxation when you're feeling anxious. Here are a few blends you can try out and the procedure to achieve them.
Blends for Diffuser
Anxiety Blend
Anxiety blend is perfect for when you're alone and in deep thought and need to relax and let go of anxiety. This blend can also help to induce sleep faster.
Lavender Oil- 6 drops
Ylang Ylang Oil - 3 drops
Bergamot Oil- 2 drop
Water- 200ml
Respiratory Health Blend
You can always swing into this recipe when your throat or chest feels irritated and you need something to make you feel better.
Lavender Oil- 10 drops
Eucalyptus Oil- 5 drops
Peppermint Oil- 5 drops
Water-400ml
Mood-Boosting Blend
You need this when you're feeling a little under the weather or don't have the energy to go about your daily activities.
Lavender Oil- 6 drops
Lemon Oil- 3 drops
Rosemary Oil - 3 drops
Water- 300ml
Massage Blends
Lavender Oil Blend that Alleviates Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps resulting from workouts, strenuous activities, and crashing into things can be alleviated by this recipe.
Lavender Essential Oil- 10 drops
Rosemary Essential Oil- 10 drops
Carrier Oil - 30 ml
Lavender Oil Blend that Alleviates Stress
This blend provides a revitalizing effect on stress and discomfort. It also reduces backpacks, sprains, and body pain.
Lavender Essential Oil- 4 drops
Bergamot Essential Oil- 5 drops
Mandarin Essential Oil- 4 drops
Lemongrass Essential Oil- 3 drops
Carrier Oil - 30 ml
Conclusion
There are a lot of amazing benefits you can get from lavender oil. It feels like a multi-purpose oil that makes you settle mentally and see to physical issues such as body pains, cramps, respiratory diseases, poor sleep and lots more. Lavender essential oil is a must-have in any New Zealand home. Have a long-lasting therapeutic moment with lavender oil.
