Lavender essential oil is known as the "the swiss army knife" of essential oils because of its endless uses. I don't think there is a person living that hasn't heard of Lavender. Let's learn how to use Lavender essential oil, its benefits, safety tips, and diffuser and roller blend recipes.
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Top uses for Lavender essential oil
- Stress and mood management
- Skin health and imperfections
- Relaxation and sleep
Who can use Lavender?
Pure Lavender essential oil is safe for children, babies, elderly and even our furry friends like cats and dogs.
Topically, it is safe to be used direct to the skin also known as "neat" application. For sensitive skin, children and elderly it is always recommended to dilute with a carrier oil which is a vegetable based oil applied to the skin along with the essential oil.
My favorite carrier oil is fractionated coconut oil because it is stainless, odorless and absorbs nicely into the skin. Fractionated coconut oil is the same coconut oil you probably have in your kitchen but some of the fats have been removed so that it stays in a liquid state. This works great for roller blends and skin applications. Some other options are jojoba, argan and sweet almond oil.
For more safety information, recipes and dilution charts download a FREE 10-page guide to Essential Oils Made Easy!
How is pure Lavender essential oil sourced?
Lavender is grown in Bulgaria and France, where the climate is ideal for the lavender plants. The essential oil is steam distilled from the Lavender plant. Fun fact! It's actually from the Lamiaceae family, more commonly known as mint.
There are over 400 species of Lavender and you may have some growing in your backyard. For health benefits we look for Lavandula angustifolia also known as true lavender which is 30% Linalool. This is what makes Lavender an awesome sleep aid and its ability to create a relaxing environment.
What are essential Oils?
Essential oils are aromatic compounds found in plants, seeds, bark, flowers and trees. Pure essential oils are 50-70 times more potent than herbs and when used properly are 100% natural and safe.
Have you ever crushed a peppermint leaf between your fingers? What you were doing was rupturing the essential oil sacs to smell the essential oil aroma. The aromatic compounds inside those tiny little sacs help the plant protect itself and thrive. We get the same benefit when we use essential oils.
How to use essential oils
AROMATIC USE is simply inhaling from the bottle or palms of your hands; making a spray or using a room diffuser. Essential oils can positively effect our mood and emotions in less than 30 seconds.
TOPICAL USE is simply placing the oil on your skin where it is absorbed. Essential oils are 50-70 times more concentrated then herbs. We can dilute essential oils with a carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oil) to slow that absorption and avoid sensitivity. To effect the whole body apply them topically to the bottom of the feet, spine or navel.
INTERNAL USE is safe with Certified Pure Tested Grade (CPTG) essential oils. Because they are 100% pure with no additives or synthetics added they are safe for internal use when labeled as such. To take essential oils internally you can add a drop of essential oil to water or in a vegetable capsule. Look for the Nutritional Facts label on the side of the bottle to ensure it is safe for internal use.
How to Use Lavender Essential Oil Aromatically
- Inhale directly from cupped hands
- Diffuse at night to calm a restless baby
- Make a room spray
- Add to dryer balls and eliminate toxic dryer sheets
- Put a few drops on your pillow at bedtime
- Apply a few drops to diffuser jewelry
- Make a Linen spray with 20 drops of Lavender and distilled water in a 4 oz. spray bottle.
Lavender Diffuser Blend Recipes
Add the essential oil drops to a room diffuser along with tap water to the fill line. Inhale and relax!
Sleep Blend
4 drops Lavender oil
2 drops Frankincense oil
Calm and Balanced
2 drops Lavender oil
2 drops Balance oil
How to Use Lavender Essential Oil Topically
To avoid photosensitivity when applying citrus essential oils do not apply on skin that will exposed to the sun within 12 hours.
- Add 2 - 3 drops in a bath along with Epsom salt
- Apply to bottom of feet at bedtime to promote restful sleep. Add socks to hold the essential oil in the tissue longer. This also helps when you don't like the smell!
- Add a drop to a teaspoon of carrier oil and massage babies or children feet at bedtime.
- Apply over the heart and on the back of your neck to help soothe stress and anxious feelings or when feeling head tension.
- Apply to skin to soothe irritations
- Make a soothing after sun spray
Lavender Roller Blend Recipes
In a roller bottle add the essential oil drops and fill the rest with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil. Roll on area of concern.
Seasonal Support
10 drops Lavender oil
10 drops Lemon oil
10 drops Peppermint oil
5 drops Oregano oil (optional)
Owies
15 drops Lavender oil
10 drops Frankincense oil
5 drops Tea Tree oil
Sweet Dreams
15 drops Lavender oil
10 drops Vetiver oil
5 drops Frankincense oil
5 drops Cedarwood oil
How to Use Lavender Essential Oil Internally
Lavender essential oil is only safe for internal use with pure essential oils labeled "safe for internal use." Do Not Use fragrance essential oils internally.
- Add a few drops to tea or water to reduce anxious feelings and promote restful sleep
- For seasonal support add 2 drops each Peppermint, Lavender and Lemon to 4 oz of water or add to a veggie capsule.
- Add a drop under the tongue to calm and soothe.
- Use in cooking to soften citrus flavors and add a twist to marinades, baked goods and desserts.
- Add a a drop to your lemonade
Veggie Capsule Recipes with Lavender essential oil
In a veggie capsule add the following drops of essential oil and take along with water.
Seasonal Support
2 drops Lemon oil
2 drops Peppermint oil
2 drops Lavender oil
Calming
Take 2 drops of Lavender under the tongue for calming and soothing the nervous system
Aches Away
2 drops Lavender oil
2 drops Oregano oil
2 drops Frankincense oil
Lavender DIY Recipes
After Sun Spray
10 drops Lavender oil
10 drops Peppermint oil
10 drops Frankincense oil
Add to a 2 oz. spray bottle and fill with a carrier oil or aloe vera gel
Carpet Refresh
20 drops Lavender oil
1/2 cup baking soda
Add ingredients to a mason jar Sprinkle over carpet and let sit
a few minutes before vacuuming
Room Spray
10 drops Lavender oil
10 drops Peppermint oil
10 drops Lemon or Wild Orange oil
Add to a 4 oz. spray bottle and fill with distilled water. Shake and spray
What if I don't like the smell of Lavender?
You can still get the benefits of Lavender even if you aren't crazy about the floral smell.
- Apply topically to the bottom of the feet and wear socks.
- Try substituting with Petitgrain essential oil. This is also known as "man lavender" because of its high Linalool content.
- Try adding it to another oil such as peppermint, lemon or cedarwood to get the benefits and enhance the scent.
What makes doTERRA Lavender different?
doTERRA’s Lavender essential oil is not the same Lavender you can grow in your backyard. It is grown in soil and climate where it grows best in Bulgaria and France.
Unfortunately, over 90% of the Lavender essential oil on the market is adulterated. Lavendin is substituted for Lavender so that it smells similar to Lavender and the public is none the wiser.
Here is the thing, purity impacts potency. Potency relates to how effective an oil is. Where the plant grows, how its harvested and how it is distilled impacts its chemistry and consistency. When you use an oil, you want it to work the same way every single time. The better the quality the better the oils work with and for your body.