Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “lavender” is a paler hue of purple. But, this herb is more than just a single hue.
Northern Africa and the Mediterranean’s mountainous regions are where lavender is a natural herb.
Moreover, lavender is produced for the extraction of its essential oil from the flower spikes of some varieties of the plant.
Uses
The herb is well-known for its benefits to skin and attractiveness and is frequently included in perfumes and shampoos to aid in skin purification. It is available over-the-counter (OTC) at pharmacies, and some varieties are used to flavor baked products and other meals.Health Benefits
According to some theories, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities of lavender oil can aid in the healing of small burns and insect bites.
According to research, it might be helpful for treating anxiety, restlessness, depression, and sleeplessness.
According to several research, drinking lavender tea can relieve digestive problems such nausea, intestinal gas, upset stomach, and abdominal puffiness.
Lavender is used to ease pain from headaches, sprains, toothaches, and sores in addition to aiding with digestive issues. Moreover, it can be applied to stop hair loss.
Soothes Itchy Insect Bites
Lavender oil is a fantastic choice if you’ve been bitten by an insect and are seeking for a herbal medicine to reduce the discomfort, itching, or swelling. The key chemical component in lavender, linalool, reduces the swelling and itching associated with bug bites, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Lavender can be used straight to the skin without causing any negative side effects, unlike other essential oils (like peppermint oil), which can irritate skin when rubbed into it. All insect bites can benefit from its anti-inflammatory effects, but bee stings and bites from fire ants and spiders are particularly effective.
May Reduce Stress and Anxiety
The effectiveness of lavender in lowering stress and anxiety is arguably the holy grail of its health advantages. The smell of lavender stimulates the brain, according to Dr. Majid. The smell induces a sense of tranquility in the brain, which has an impact on mood, productivity, and mental disease.
According to research, lavender can help with bodily symptoms of anxiety as well as symptoms like agitation and disturbed sleep. It has also been demonstrated that lavender enhances general wellbeing and quality of life. This is due to lavender’s anxiolytic characteristics, or ability to reduce anxiety, which are equivalent to those of popular anxiety drugs.
Helps Alleviate Digestive Problems
You may have noticed many lavender teas at supermarkets. While the majority claim to have relaxing or sleep-inducing properties, others are made to help with digestion. It’s believed that lavender can help with a variety of digestive problems, including nausea, intestinal gas, upset stomach, and abdominal puffiness.
One study that employed aromatherapy to treat postoperative nausea and vomiting discovered that 82.6 percent of patients who inhaled lavender essential oil saw an improvement in their nausea scores. It was discovered to be more effective than ginger essential oil, a traditional remedy for motion sickness, which only reduced nausea levels in 65.2% of patients.
Can Potentially Reduce Pain
Lavender is frequently praised for its capacity to lessen both acute (temporary) and chronic pain (long-term). A research that examined 100 ICU patients discovered that there were considerable improvements after massaging lavender essential oil into the patients’ feet. They included reduced pain, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate.
Blood pressure and heart rate can increase when a person is in pain, indicating that lavender may be an effective all-natural pain reliever. Some research suggest that applying lavender to a painful area of the body may act as a topical analgesic or painkiller.
Protects Your Brain
Increasing data suggests that lavender may be used to cure or relieve neurological problems. Lavender contains neuroprotective capabilities, or qualities that can safeguard your nervous system, according to preliminary research on how it affects the nervous system.
More specifically, according to preventative health expert Sandra El Hajj, Ph.D., “lavender is deemed to be one of the best treatments for neurological disorders due to its content of linalool, linalyl acetate, 1,8-cineole B-ocimene, terpinen-4-ol, and camphor” Lavender may be able to slow the progression of some neurological diseases, though more research is required to fully comprehend the phenomenon.
Fights Fungal and Bacterial Infections
Did you know that lavender has antibacterial and antifungal effects in addition to its alluring, calming scent? Lavender essential oil and popular antifungal medicines are being compared in studies. Lavender may be more effective, according to preliminary research, making it a potential antifungal agent. Moreover, it has been discovered to be effective against a wide range of germs, including staph infections.
What then makes it so calming? Both bacterial and fungal illnesses are unpleasant, but lavender may be more effective than we previously thought in easing some of their symptoms. Hafiz Abdul Majid, MBBS, MCPS, FCPS, a neurologist and neurosurgeon, adds that it also contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities and that “these features enhance the healing process.”
Can Increase Deep Sleep
It’s no secret that lavender is widely used to encourage restful sleep. People used to dry lavender flowers and put them in a bag under their pillow before lavender essential oils and other lavender-scented goods like eye masks and heating pads became widely accessible.
Now, new research suggests that inhaling lavender can help promote deep sleep. This is so because the smell of lavender causes an increase in delta waves during slow-wave sleep, the deepest stage of sleep. Also, it lowers alpha waves during the wake-stage of sleep, which lessens the likelihood that someone would have restless nights.
Alleviates Menopausal Symptoms
According to research, menopausal women can greatly benefit from lavender. Lavender treats a number of the most prevalent menopause symptoms, including restlessness and anxiety brought on by hormones.
According to one study, using lavender essential oil in aromatherapy can even help menopausal women have fewer hot flashes and flushes. After inhaling lavender for 20 minutes, twice a day, study participants reported having less hot flashes. The researchers weren’t sure, though, if this was a direct result of inhaling lavender or whether aromatherapy just reduced the participants’ stress levels, which in turn decreased the flushes.
Makes DIY Home Cleaners Smell Great
Are you looking for a natural all-purpose cleaner that you can use on any surface and that has a fantastic scent? Try this: Combine 1 12 cups water, 12 cups unflavored vodka, 10 drops each of lemon and lavender essential oils, 12 cup white vinegar, and 1 cup of white vinegar. Shake the spray container after adding the mixture there.
To completely kill all germs, spray it on the surfaces you need to disinfect and let them sit for 10 minutes. After that, use a microfiber cloth to scrape it clean.
MIMI (Multi ion mask insert)
- Can be worn with any facemask and provides additional heavy-duty protection.
- Adult & Youth Sizes Available
Adds a Uniquely Spicy Flavor to Foods and Drinks
Culinary lavender can be used in a variety of ways, from spicing up a dessert to garnishing a cocktail. It has a flavor that is somewhat minty and reminiscent of rosemary. You may include dried and fresh lavender into salad dressings and marinades. A syrup with lavender flavoring can also be used to ice cream or iced tea.
Do not use too much lavender because it has a potent and distinct flavor. Lavender is low in calories and free of fat. In upscale coffee shops and cafés, lavender smoothies, teas, and coffees are very popular. Why not place an order for a treat with lavender flavor and give it a try?
Reduce Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
The additional stress that chronic high blood pressure places on the heart raises the likelihood of health issues including stroke and heart attack. However, a small 2017 study indicated that following open-heart surgery, when 40 participants inhaled diluted lavender essential oil, their blood pressure and heart rates decreased, indicating the oil had a good impact on their vital signs. The authors do point out that additional study is required to confirm this potential advantage, specifically a randomized controlled trial with a bigger sample size, which is the gold standard in medical research.
