Lavender essential oil is known to have a wealth of benefits, and is one of the most popular oils for both diffusion and topical use.

Used across the globe for its beautiful scent and relaxing properties, lavender is truly considered to be the mother-plant of modern aromatherapy.

Although it has been in use for many years, we are still constantly studying and discovering the many benefits it can provide us.

What we do know is that lavender’s ability to assist in the healing of our bodies and minds is incredibly well documented, and it is this ability that makes it one of the most popular essential oils.

What are the health benefits of lavender essential oil?

Lavender has been known to help with several mental and physical ailments, including, but not limited to:

• Sleep
• Stress & restlessness
• Low mood
• Infection
• Burns
• Wounds
• Pain
• Toxins, chemicals & pollutants
• Hair loss

Let’s take a closer look at how lavender essential oil can help with all of these issues and ailments.

Lavender oil benefits

1. It can help you get a good night's sleep

The calming effects of lavender have been documented for years, and lavender essential oil has long been one of the most popular essential oils for sleep.

In 2018, a study in Japan found that this calming effect comes from the ability of one of lavender oil’s chemical constituents, linalool, to affect the brain via smell.

The scent is said to stimulate the olfactory system, which in turn stimulates parts of the brain responsible for mood, heart rate, and blood pressure, with no real side effects.

A study in 2015 discovered that inhalation of lavender carried a positive effect on sleep when tested amongst several other essential oils.

A similar study conducted on people with medically severe sleep issues showed comparable improvements in their night’s rest after using lavender essential oil.

2. It can help calm you down

An evidence-based review conducted in 2013 found that smelling lavender helped to dispel severe levels of stress and restlessness, with results weighing up to the starting effects of some common medications.

Learn more about using using essential oils to combat stress and restlessness.

3. It can improve your mood

The effects of medicinal aromatherapy on high-risk women after childbirth studied in 2012 revealed positive findings in the use of aromatherapy for both stress and low mood over time.

Though we know that linalool’s sedative qualities are known to help slow our heart rates and ease our worries, research is still ongoing as to why it is that lavender is so beneficial for our mental health.

4. It can help treat burns and wounds

One of the oldest uses of lavender oil is in the treatment of burns and wounds.

Lavender oil contains a constituent called beta-caryophyllene that acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, which makes it ideal for treating burns, sunburns, and allergic reactions.

The application of diluted lavender oil to wounds can also assist in healing, as lavender can promote a collagen synthesis which allows our bodies to bind connective tissues faster.

5. It can be used to treat infections

The antimicrobial and antifungal properties of lavender are well researched – its two main constituents are linalool and linalyl acetate, which both have strong antimicrobial properties.

A 2013 study suggested that these effects are even more powerful when lavender oil is mixed with another oil such as clove, cinnamon, or tea tree oil.

6. It can help reduce pain

Not only is lavender oil said to have sedative and stress-relieving qualities – it is also known to be an anticonvulsant, which means that it may be able to relax constricted muscles. This has been found to have a positive effect on headaches and migraines.

A study in 2010 by nursing students even showed that lavender can have a positive effect on menstrual cramps, and heated lavender-scented pillows are commonly used to help manage menstrual pain.

7. It can help prevent against toxins, chemicals and pollutants

Lavender oil contains polyphenols, which act as natural antioxidants to fight free radicals such as toxins, chemicals, and pollutants.

Free radicals can destroy cells over time and are largely responsible for the aging process, setting of chain reactions to attack cells throughout the body.

However, antioxidants stabilise free radicals, inhibiting these chain reactions.

The polyphenols in pure lavender essential oil are known to work to increase the activity of your body’s most powerful antioxidants, such as glutathione and catalase.

Lavender essential oil’s antioxidant properties are also said to give it neuroprotective qualities – it is thought that this could potentially aid repair of neurological functions after a stroke, or contribute to the treatment of dementia, but so far this has only been tested in rats.

Learn more about antioxidant essential oils.

8. It can encourage hair growth

A 2016 animal studyconducted on mice found that diluted application of lavender essential oil produced faster and fuller hair growth when applied topically once per day over a 4-week period. 

An earlier 1998 study also found that topical application of lavender essential oil used alongside rosemary oil saw positive effects on hair growth in patients with alopecia areata.

What are the different lavender essential oil varieties?

There are many different types of lavender essential oil. These variations differ slightly in smell, but they are all near-identical in their benefits.

Here are some of the most common:

• True lavender: The most famous lavender oil, true lavender is most commonly grown in either France or England, and may vary slightly in scent depending on the soil it is grown in. It may be sold as English or French lavender, but you can always spot true lavender by its botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia.
• Bulgarian lavender: Bulgarian lavender is usually still true lavender, only grown in Bulgaria. Look for that true lavender botanical name to make sure. It can sometimes have a stronger, fuller scent - this can depend on supplier.
• Spike Lavender: This variation comes from a sub species of the lavender plant also known as Portuguese lavender and is known to have more invigorating properties than traditionally calming true lavender.
• Lavandin: A hybrid plant formed by the cross pollination of spike lavender and true lavender, lavandin has a much higher concentration of camphor than true lavender, and shares spike lavender's more invigorating properties.
• Lavender 40/42: Whilst lavender 40/42 is still composed of 100% natural lavender oils, it is a standardised blend of 40% linalool and 42% linalyl acetate designed to give the most consistent lavender scent.

What is the correct dosage for lavender oil?

There are a wide range of ways to gain the lavender oil benefits we’ve mentioned. However, it's important to note that essential oils, including lavender oil, are highly concentrated and should be used with caution.

• Topical Application: For topical use, it is recommended to dilute lavender oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil or almond oil. A general guideline is to use 1-2 drops of lavender oil per teaspoon of carrier oil. For sensitive skin, it's better to start with a higher dilution, like 1 drop of essential oil in 2 teaspoons of carrier oil.
• Aromatherapy: For inhalation, you can add 3-5 drops of lavender oil to a diffuser filled with water. It's recommended to diffuse for about 30-60 minutes at a time.
• Bath: Add 5-10 drops of lavender oil mixed with a carrier oil or bath salts to a full bathtub of water.

Remember, more is not always better. It's always best to start with a lower dose and increase gradually if needed.

Consult a healthcare professional before using essential oils, especially for children, pregnant or nursing women, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

What is the history of lavender essential oil?

Although the practice of inhaling essential oil has been around for thousands of years, the term ‘aromatherapy’ wasn’t created until the early 20^th century, when French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse self-treated a burn with lavender essential oil.

He was hardly the first to use lavender for its healing qualities, however – the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks all explored the calming, healing, and soothing qualities of lavender. In fact, it is said that the Egyptians even used it around Tutankhamun’s tomb, as traces of it were found upon its discovery.

The name ‘lavender’ is also said to derive from the Latin word “lavare” meaning “to wash”. This is due to the Romans using the plant in their baths, bedlinen, and clothes.

Though much is still to be discovered about what lavender essential oil can do for us, there is no doubt that it has become the pioneer for modern aromatherapy for a reason and will likely continue its powerful legacy for years to come.