Top 5 Reasons To Always Have Lavender Oil Around

According to author Susanne Fischer-Rizzi, lavender oil has 167 medicinal uses that have been tested! Today we’ll talk about just a few of these uses and why lavender oil is so good to have around. If I had to sum it up, I would say lavender oil is the most valuable, versatile oil because there’s so much overlap in what it treats– If used for one condition, you can be sure it’s helping you out in many other ways at the same time. I tend to keep a small bottle of lavender oil in the medicine cabinet, at the bedside, and in my carrying bag first aid kit. It is my top, most essential essential oil to have on hand at home, work, and in the great outdoors.

1. First-Aid for Burns

Lavender oil is the absolute best first-aid response for a burn. Applied directly to the wound, it cuts the pain and inflammation immediately, prevents infection, and starts the healing process. I would love this oil for its pain-relieving properties alone (burns are so uniquely painful!), but it also stimulates tissue regeneration, drastically reduces scarring, and can eliminate scarring all together. But most of all…pain relief!

2. Bug Repellent

Most people love, or at least don’t hate, the scent of lavender oil. But bugs can’t stand it. Lavender oil keeps fleas, mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, and other pests away, so it’s perfect for topical summertime use (and it’s great for the skin!). Use it as a spray or topical application on the skin, or in a diffuser at home or on the porch. Lavender oil or sachets will also keep bugs out of your home and clothing. It can also be mixed in with other bug-repelling essential oils to improve the aroma and provide uplift and stress relief at the same time.

3. A Dab Will Do It

Lavender oil is a miracle anti-inflammatory for all kinds of irritating skin conditions. You can apply it directly to the skin with no need for dilution, and this includes kids (avoid the eyes). It provides immediate pain and itch relief for bug bites, stings, acne, rashes, eczema, diaper rash, boils, you name it. It relieves irritation, its antiseptic action cleans wounds, and its tissue-healing action speeds up recovery. I wouldn’t go on a camping expedition without it.

4. Stress Relief

Inhaling lavender oil has a marked effect on stress, anxiety, muscle tension and blood pressure. It lifts the spirits, restores energy, and is useful in warding off/relieving headaches and migraines. It has an immediate balancing effect on the nervous system, and it is wonderfully effective for uplifting mild depression. It has shown to be of particular benefit to the elderly, both mentally and for insomnia. Inhaling the scent of lavender oil can really take the edge off of a stressful situation.

5. Respiratory Health

‘Tis the season for Air Quality Alerts. Lavender oil is a great decongestant, expectorant, and antispasmodic, so it’s particularly helpful for asthmatics. For seasonal allergies, air pollution, and everyday stress on the lungs, a deep inhalation of lavender oil makes a big difference in opening the bronchial passages and clearing them out. And because it is anti-microbial, lavender oil increases resistance to cold, coughs, flu, laryngitis, chest infections, and throat infections.