Lavender oil: Benefits, uses and dosage

Lavender is beloved for its appealing scent and calming effects.

For centuries, lavender has been used in perfumery, cosmetics and in herbal remedies.

Lavender oil is thought to have a range of benefits including calming the body and mind and helping to promote better sleep.¹

How is lavender oil made?

Originally hailing from the Mediterranean, lavender is now grown across the world wherever there is sunshine, rain, and well-drained soil.²

Lavender’s unmistakable scent comes from the vibrant violet-coloured flowers which grow in small clusters at the top of its stalks.

The fragrant oil is extracted from these clusters through a process of distillation.

This involves the freshly harvested flowers being steamed and the pure lavender oil collected.³

If you’re interested in trying it for yourself, check out this article on How To Make Lavender Oil, Spray & Water.

Lavender oil benefits

Read on for our top benefits of lavender oil.

1. It can help calm you down

Studies have shown that using lavender oil regularly can have a calming effect and boost a low mood.³

Homemade lavender massage oil can be created by adding a few drops of lavender to a carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond or coconut oil.

Further, a few drops of lavender on a cotton handkerchief can provide a moment of relaxation when you’re on the go.

Keep it handy for traffic jams, awkward phone calls and any time you would ordinarily feel your heart rate rising.

2. It promotes a good night’s sleep

Using lavender oil for sleep is probably one of the most common uses of this multi-tasking essential oil.

It’s so effective that you may have noticed that pillow mists, room sprays, temple balms and linen fragrances almost always have the fragrance of lavender.

Research has suggested that inhaling lavender oil before bed can improve the quality of sleep.^4,5

If you’re a troubled sleeper, a lavender oil diffuser placed near your bed could help you wind down, relax and prepare your body and mind for sleep each night.

A few drops on your pillowcase could also help promote a restful night.

Be sure to apply to the underside of your pillow, as lavender oil can cause sensitivity to the skin and eyes if applied directly.

For more tips and lots of natural sleep remedies, head to the Comprehensive Guide To Sleeping Better.

3. It may help with breakouts

In terms of the physical benefits that lavender essential oil has to offer, next up on our list is the potential it has to help with blemish-prone skin.

This is largely due to the cleansing properties that it has been proven to have, which can kill spot-causing bacteria that cause pimples.⁶

It can be combined with tea tree oil to make a blemish-friendly toner or added to coconut oil.

4. It could soothe skin concerns

Similarly, the lavender essential oil may have a use when it comes to soothing certain skin conditions like eczema.

Specifically, though, we’re talking about eczema that has become infected, otherwise known as fungal eczema.

The lavender essential oil has been known to have natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.⁷ This means that it may help to keep skin concerns at bay.

5. It may help with hyperpigmentation

Studies have shown that lavender essential oil also possesses soothing properties!⁸

Interestingly, most natural agents used for hyperpigmentation or skin lightening have the same soothing effect on the skin, which helps to combat dark spots and post-inflammatory blemishes.⁹

Dosage

There is no official dosage for lavender oil as it’s not considered medicine.

It’s important to note, however, that you should never consume any essential oil as this can be harmful.

You can apply diluted lavender oil directly to the skin in small amounts, such as to a pulse point.

All essential oils can cause skin sensitivity so it’s best to dilute them with a carrier oil such as coconut oil.

Side-effects

Inhaling lavender oil a few times each day is unlikely to cause any adverse effects, but in rare cases, this can cause sensitivity to the nostrils.

If any sensitivity occurs, stop using it immediately.

People with asthma should avoid inhaling essential oils as they could trigger asthma attacks.¹⁰

The final say

Lavender essential oil has many different benefits, from supporting headaches to helping you manage blemish-prone skin.

Last updated: 24 November 2021