Origins and Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils on the market, and for a good reason. Its wide range of uses and health benefits have caused the Lavender plant to stay in high demand in countries worldwide. The plant has been around for over 2,500 years, originating from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and India. Its popularity allowed it to spread commercially across France, Italy, England, Australia, New Zealand, The United States, and Canada.

The essential oil is obtained through a distillation process on the Lavandula Angustifolia plant. While the plant is part of the mint family, it produces a light purple flower with a sweet aromatic scent. In modern times, lavender is grown to extract this essential oil and less often for its foliage. However, in ancient history, lavender oil was known as a luxury.

The essential oil derived from this plant can be used in aromatherapy for anxiety and stress management. It is also known for its natural anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that treat wounds and help heal infections. It's been used to help with insomnia by promoting sleep. It can even help individuals struggling with allergies like hay fever.

The aromatic lavender plant comes from the Latin word "lavare" which means "to wash." Lavender has a rich history of being used in water to add a pleasant smell for different cleansing purposes.

Ancient Romans once used lavender to scent their baths before cleansing, allowing them to saturate themselves in the wonderful aroma. Some ancient Romans also used it as an air freshener, to scent their clothing drawers, on their beds to promote sleep and even in their hair as a perfume. The more Romans used lavender, the more it became recognized not only for its scent but for its healing properties as well.

In medieval and Renaissance Europe, many women took to washing clothes to make a living. These women were known as washerwomen and often used lavender while washing clothes for a fresh scent in the water. Some even hung clothes to dry over lavender bushes to obtain more of its floral fragrance. Many of these women were referred to as "Lavenders" thanks to this practice.

Lavender oil is packed with soothing properties that can be helpful if you are struggling with a lot of stress, anxiety, or even depression. By inhaling this essential oil through aromatherapy, many people have found relief from built-up stress and anxiety in the body. This may also be a part of why adding lavender oil to a bath helps relieve gas in the body, lower inflammation in the abdomen/digestive tract, and provide physical and mental relaxation.

You can even add pure lavender oil to a diffuser, promoting a relaxing environment that works to cleanse the air and fight off bacteria. This helps to soothe the mind and promote a healthier living environment throughout the day.

If you have been struggling with sleep, this essential oil might be the hidden solution to all your bedtime woes. Put a small amount of lavender essential oil on your pillow before bed and see just how your sleep changes. It will help you get some much-needed sleep if you struggle with insomnia. Its relaxing properties are even great for people just looking for more quality sleep.

Lavender oil's naturally occurring antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties can work wonders for your hair and skin. It helps to moisturize and prevent wrinkles in the skin over time. It's great for adding to sugar scrubs to help exfoliate the skin and promote healthy skin cell regeneration as you age. If you struggle with acne, lavender oil has even proven to get rid of acne in some people and help heal acne scars left behind.

Lavender oil is great for irritating scrapes and burns. It helps to soothe the skin with its naturally occurring anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to calm the skin, minimize scarring, and promote quicker healing. It's great to have on hand when you get splashed by oil while cooking or when you fall and scrape your knee. Using lavender oil on deeper wounds is not recommended until the healing process has already begun. The best part is that while you may use the oil topically, it still emits soothing properties to keep you calm and relaxed.

With all the advantages that come from having lavender oil in your life, it would be a shame to miss out. Whether you use the essential oil in its pure form for diffusing or with your favorite oil blend. You can be sure that lavender oil is working to keep your skin, body, and mind healthy and detoxed.

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