Top 25 Incredible Lavender Essential Oil Uses and Benefits

Lavender essential oil is full of healing benefits, and is great for stress reduction, pain relief, relaxation, wound disinfection and many others.

Lavender is extracted from the flowers of the lavender plant, and is often used in soaps and lotions. You may think of lavender as an ‘old lady’ scent – the thing that your grandma had in her soaps and perfumes, but nowadays lavender oil is used for so much more!

1. Glowing Skin

Mix with a nourishing carrier oil such as argan or jojoba for the best results.

Apply topically: Add 1 drop of lavender oil to a few drops of carrier oil and massage gently into the skin.

Nourishing bath oil: A lavender bath can help you sleep better, but it’s also great for your skin. Add a few drops of lavender oil to your bath and relax!

2. Acne

Lavender is a natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, so it’s great for unclogging pores and reducing inflammation.

Soothing facial toner: Add 2 drops of lavender oil to 1 tsp witch hazel. Mix and soak a cotton ball or pad with it, and apply it to the affected areas.

Spot treatment: For emergency spots, blend 1 drop of lavender oil with 1 drop of argan oil and apply directly to the pimple. Do this twice a day and the spot should dry up in no time.

3. Eczema

Lavender oil can help reduce the itching and redness caused by eczema.

Healing balm: Add 2 drops of lavender oil and tea tree oil to 2 tsp coconut oil and apply daily to the affected areas.

4. Detox the Skin

Lavender oil can help to detoxify and soothe stressed-out skin due to the natural antioxidants it contains.

Detoxifying salt bath: Add 1 cup of Epsom salts to the bath as it runs, and add 10 drops of lavender oil. Swish around to mix. Soak for at least 15-20 minutes.

5. Lip Treatment

If you suffer from dry, chapped lips, lavender oil can help soothe and moisturize.

Soothing lip treatment: Mix 2-3 drops of a carrier oil such as jojoba, avocado or argan oil with a drop of lavender oil. Apply to your lips.

Lip balm:

• ½ tbsp yellow beeswax beads • ½ tbsp coconut oil • 3 drops lavender oil • Small metal tin or lip balm tubes • Syringe or eye dropper

Melt the beeswax beads in a double boiler and add the coconut oil until fully blended. Remove from heat and stir in the lavender oil. Pour into tubes or metal tin straight away, as it solidifies quickly.

6. Cuts and Scrapes

Lavender oil has been used for centuries for its wound healing and antibacterial properties.

Heal cuts and scrapes: Mix 3-4 drops of lavender oil with a few drops of coconut oil or tamanu oil. Use a cotton ball to dab the mix on the wound.

7. Burns

Minor burns can be treated with lavender oil, such as those caused by cooking or catching yourself with a hot iron or hair straighteners.

Burn salve: Mix 1-3 drops of lavender oil with 1-2 tsp of carrier oil such as coconut or moringa oil. Apply three times a day until the burn heals.

If you forgot your sunscreen and your skin is red and sore, lavender oil can come to the rescue.

Chemical free sunburn spray: In a spray bottle combine ¼ aloe juice, 2 tbsp of jojoba oil, 2 tbsp distilled water and 10-12 drops of lavender oil. Shake well and spray onto the area of sunburn. Repeat 2-3 times a day.

8. Scars

The best way to prevent scarring for scrapes, cuts and burns is to use a mix of lavender oil and carrier oil while the wound is fresh. Apply every day until the wound heals.

Scar treatment: Mix 2 drops of lavender oil with 2 drops black seed oil. Research shows that black seed oil prevents scar formation. Repeat twice a day.

9. Hair Growth

Lavender and emu oil can be very beneficial for hair growth. It can help stimulate blood circulation to the hair follicles, creating hair growth.

Add to your shampoo: Mix 1 drop lavender oil into your shampoo every time you wash your hair.

10. Scalp Health

Sufferers of a dry, itchy scalp can get some relief with lavender oil, and it can also be used to prevent dandruff.

Dandruff control: Add 2 drops of lavender oil and 2 drops tea tree oil to a mild shampoo when you wash your hair. Leave on 3-5 minutes before rinsing.

11. Pain Relief

A study proved that lavender oil is a natural pain reliever, helping soothe lower abdominal pain and menstrual cramping.

Add to your diffuser: Aromatherapy with lavender oil helps calm and relax tight muscles and improves circulation.

Hot compress treatment: For muscular injuries and minor sprains, fill a bowl with hot water and add a few drops of lavender oil. Soak a towel in the water, wring it out and use it as a hot compress on the sore area.

12. Headaches and Migraines

Lavender oil has pain-relieving properties due to its analgesic compounds, and it is also a sedating agent and relaxant.

Headache rub: Add 2-3 drops of lavender oil, and 2 drops of peppermint oil to a carrier oil such as olive oil. Massage the blend into your forehead, behind the neck and behind your ears for pain relief.

13. Stress and Anxiety

Lavender oil can calm your nerves and help you relax after a hard day.

Inhale directly: Inhale lavender oil directly from the bottle whenever you’re feeling super-stressed. Keep the bottle on your desk and use as needed.

Apply topically: If you feel a tension headache starting, rub 1-2 drops of lavender oil mixed with a few drops of jojoba oil onto your forehead, behind the ears and on your wrists.

14. Depression

Research has documented that lavender oil can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety as well as insomnia and depression.

Apply topically: Rub a few drops of lavender oil on your temples and behind the ears to increase focus, calm, and reduce depressive thoughts.

Diffuse: Put a diffuser in your bedroom, and diffuse the oil just before you go to bed.

Inhale directly: If you feel low, inhale the scent of lavender oil directly from the bottle.

15. Brain Health

Aromatherapy has been shown to improve brain function and cognition in lab rats, which makes it a promising alternative treatment for dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Diffuse: Use your diffuser with lavender oil to support brain health and your nervous system.

16. Sleep

Lavender oil has been proven in studies to sedate and induce sleep.

Apply topically: Mix a few drops of lavender oil with a carrier oil like grapeseed oil or jojoba oil. Rub onto your temples, front and back of the neck, wrists, and behind your ears. Rub some on the soles of your feet for fastest absorption into the bloodstream.

Diffuse: Adding a few drops of lavender oil to your diffuser just before bed will help calm and relax your body.

Soothing bath: A warm bath before bed with lavender oil can help you relax. Add a cup of Epsom salts and a few drops of lavender oil to a warm bath.

17. Mosquito Repellent

The potent aroma of lavender can keep mosquitoes at bay.

Mosquito repellent candle: Get an ordinary candle and add 6-7 drops of lavender oil to it. Place outdoors where you sit to repel mosquitoes.

Mosquito repellent spray: Mix 4 drops of lavender oil with water in an 8 oz spray bottle. Shake well and spray lightly onto your skin and clothes before going outdoors.

18. Insect Bites

Lavender oil can help to reduce the redness, swelling and pain caused by insect bites.

Apply topically: Mix 1-2 drops of lavender oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil and apply on the bites at least twice a day.

19. Lavender Oil for Cleaning

Lavender makes a great disinfectant with vinegar, and is also good as a laundry detergent additive and air freshener.

Natural disinfectant: Add 1 ½ cups of hot water and ½ a cup of white vinegar. Add 15 drops of lavender oil and use to spray over countertops and sinks.

Add to your laundry detergent: To give your laundry a beautiful fresh scent and kill germs, add a few drops of lavender oil to the wash cycle.

20. Perfume

If you love the smell of lavender and want to use it as a perfume, lavender oil gives off an amazing scent.

Apply topically: As lavender is a gentle oil, you can apply a drop of it directly to your wrists and rub into your neck area. If you have sensitive skin, mix 1-2 drops with a carrier oil like jojoba before applying.

Add to your shampoo: If you want shiny and gorgeous-smelling hair, add 1-2 drops of lavender oil to a mild shampoo.

21. Lavender Oil for Respiratory Issues

Lavender oil is good for treating a wide variety of disorders including colds, coughs, sinus congestion, throat infections and more.

Cold and congestion: Add hot water to a bowl and add 2-3 drops of lavender oil and 2-3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Cover your head and the bowl with a large towel, and inhale the steam.

22. Cancer

Lavender oil is used in aromatherapy to help deal with the symptoms and side effects of cancer treatment. Research found that it is beneficial in reducing the distress in cancer patients.

Diffuse in the air: To help deal with the stress of chemotherapy sessions, diffused lavender oil can be very relaxing and calming.

Relieve nausea: Rub some oil behind your ears and under your navel. You can also inhale directly from the bottle or rub a few drops on your palms to inhale as needed.

23. Blood Circulation

Lavender oil improves relaxation and coronary circulation, according to a 2008 study of 30 young, healthy male participants. Inhaling lavender oil can help improve overall blood circulation.

24. Diabetes

You may be skeptical, but a 2014 animal study found that lavender oil significantly protected against the increase of blood glucose. More research is needed, but this study is promising. Diffusing lavender oil in the air, taking supplements or applying topically may all help control diabetes.

25. Joint Pain and Aching Muscles

Lavender is a natural pain reliever, and has shown good effects in studies on menstrual cramps and abdominal pain. Use in your diffuser, apply topically or use in a hot compress.