Lavendar - health and beauty benefits
Lavendar oil is the product from the distillation from lavender flowers. Though there are quite a number of species of the lavender plants, lavender essential oil is mostly extracted from lavandula officinalis or lavandula angustifolia.
Because of its calming effect, it is used in aromatherapy for relaxation and as a remedy for anxiety. It may also help provide headache relief by rubbing or massaging the oil on your temples. Ready-made washable lavender eye pillows are also available if you want to soothe your tired eyes and facial muscles.
It is also a natural sleep aid because of its sedative effect. Burning lavender candles or diffusing the oil of lavender in your bedroom will help you fall asleep and also get a good night sleep. If you don't have an aromatherapy oil burner, sprinkle a few drops of lavender oil on a cotton ball and place it inside your pillow case.
Another way to use the oil as a sleep aid is to put the oil in a spray bottle and spray it on your pillow. The next option is to drink a cup of lavender tea by steeping the a few dried lavender flower buds in hot water.
Oil of lavender is an effective cleansing agent. Lavandula is a Latin word. When translated in English, it means wash. Many skin care products such as bubble bath, hand and body lotion, moisturizing cream, shaving cream and lavender soap use the oil in their ingredients.The oil has anti inflammatory properties and is used topically in treating skin problems such as acne, eczema, pimples, psoriasis and sunburn.
One of the best uses of the oil is it acts as an insect repellent when combined with coconut oil and applied on your skin. You can also use it to treat insect bites and stings. It acts as a natural antiseptic and may help treat cuts, bruises and wounds.Because of its sweet scent, dried lavender flowers and buds are available is sachets and potpourri bags to scent laundry, clothes and to provide fresh scent in homes. It is also use to scent perfumes.
It is common to find tonics combining lavender with other essential oils such as aloe vera, cedarwood, clary, jasmine, rosemary herb, sage herb, tea tree oil and thyme. The different combinations are meant for the treatment of dandruff and spot baldness or hair loss and also for relieving perennial discomfort following childbirth.