How to Effectively Use Lavender Essential Oil in Your Home
Ready to wow your guests and make your home smell like a spa? Lavender essential oil is perfect for this purpose. This powerful oil can help banish undesirable smells around the house and provide many additional benefits, including reducing stress, promoting cleanliness, and more.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can use lavender essential oil and why it’s so fantastic to have around. So get ready to learn how this lovely-smelling oil can help bring out the best in your home – aesthetically and aromatically!
What is Lavender Essential Oil?
Lavender essential oil is an aromatic, fragrant oil derived from the popular lavender flower. In addition to its pleasant scent, lavender essential oil boasts a variety of therapeutic and medicinal properties as well as household applications.
This fragrant oil is obtained through steam distillation, a process involving hot steam that causes the essential oils in the flower to be released and collected in the form of a liquid. The essential oil then goes through several processes of filtration and refining before it is suitable for use.
The Origins of Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil has a long and rich history of use in many different cultures, dating back to ancient Rome. The Romans used it for perfumes, cosmetics, and medicinal purposes.
Its popularity continued to grow throughout the Middle Ages, with people using this powerful oil to treat various conditions such as insomnia and depression and for the reduction of anxiety levels. Additionally, the oil was used around the home – both for its pleasant scent and antimicrobial properties.
Today, this oil continues to be highly prized for its versatile uses. It can be found in products ranging from aromatherapy candles and diffusers to lotions and shampoos.
If you’re looking for a pure lavender essential oil that is of high quality, purchasing it from a reliable retailer is best. Many health food stores sell it, as do online businesses specializing in aromatherapy and natural products.
Before making a purchase, be sure to read product labels carefully. Look for the words “100% pure lavender essential oil” or “therapeutic grade” to ensure you get the best ingredients. Additionally, checking customer reviews and feedback on sites such as Amazon may be helpful before committing to a purchase.
Is there a difference between Lavender Oil and Lavender Essential Oil?
Yes! Lavender oil and lavender essential oil may sound like the same thing, but don’t let their similar names fool you! Although both oils come from the same plant, lavender oil is a blend of several different oils. It does not contain any therapeutic or medicinal benefits of lavender essential oil.
If you’re looking for all the remarkable therapeutic properties of lavender, you’ll want to make sure you buy pure essential oil. It will not only smell amazing but will also help provide a range of physical and emotional benefits – so it’s worth considering getting the correct product when stocking up on your home aromatherapy supplies.
The Natural Health Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is a versatile remedy with many potential uses. Here are some benefits for your health:
- It may help reduce infections in wounds and skin conditions
- Promotes relaxation and stress relief
- It can be used to aid in sleep and relieve insomnia
- It can help relieve aches and pains
- Improves concentration and mental clarity
Let’s look at some practical applications for each of these uses.
Reducing Infections in Wounds and Skin Conditions
Research suggests this oil has potent natural antibacterial properties, making it an excellent choice for treating wounds and skin conditions. As an antiseptic and antimicrobial, lavender essential oil can reduce inflammation and kill bacteria in the affected area.
Lavender essential oil applied topically can provide faster healing and prevent infection–which is why many people turn to this natural remedy for their skin-related ailments. Additionally, its relaxing aroma can be used as part of aromatherapy to help reduce stress, contributing to faster healing. You can also use lavender essential oil topically on skin irritations or an allergic reaction to insect bites or bee stings.
To use a lavender essential oil on a wound, it is best to dilute it with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil. Mix one part of the essential oil with four parts of the carrier oil, and then apply this blend directly to the wound twice daily.
Some people may also find it beneficial to add three to four drops of the oil to a warm compress, which can be applied to the affected area for up to 10 minutes each time.
Stress Relief
Lavender essential oil can provide a natural, calming effect which can help to relieve stress and promote relaxation.
To use it for stress relief, you can add a few drops of oil to a diffuser or vaporizer. You may also apply it directly to your temples and wrists. It may also help if you have a tension headache by placing several drops on your temples or the back of your neck to relieve the pain.
Trouble Sleeping?
Lavender essential oil can be used to help promote relaxation and aid in the process of falling asleep. In addition, its calming aroma can be very soothing in winding down before bed to promote sleep more easily.
If you need help relaxing at bedtime and want to avoid prescription medication, place a couple of drops of lavender oil on your pillow; it will help you fall asleep easier, stay asleep longer, and have a better night’s sleep.
Another idea is to apply a couple of drops of the oil to a warm wash cloth and place them on the forehead to ease any tension before lying down for the night to improve sleep.
Relieve Aches and Pains
Overdid it with the housework this week or started a new workout plan to get healthier, and you’re feeling the effects? Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your bath water to soothe your achy joints and muscles.
Adding the oil to your bath is especially helpful if you have arthritis or Lyme Disease, which is very common on the East End of Long Island.
Improve Concentration and Mental Clarity
This oil is also known to help with improving concentration and mental clarity. Its calming aroma can help reduce stress, allowing a clearer mind to stay focused on the tasks at hand. Additionally, lavender essential oil has antioxidant properties that can help to protect brain cells from damage and keep your mindset sharp and alert.
Try applying lavender essential oil onto a tissue or cotton ball. Next, hold the tissue or cotton ball up to your nose and take slow, deep breaths in through your nose while focusing on being aware of the aroma. Next, breathe out slowly through your mouth, allowing yourself to relax as you do so. Continue this process until you feel more relaxed and focused.
The Natural Cleaning Benefits of Using Lavender Essential Oil
With so many uses, lavender essential oil is an excellent choice for enhancing your home. Here are just a few of the possibilities to give you some ideas.
Lavender Aromatherapy
Instead of using air fresheners containing dangerous chemicals, add several drops of the oil to a cotton ball and strategically place it around your home for scent.
You can also use a vaporizer to spread the smell around your home if you would prefer. This scent will help combat pet odors and any musty smell that may build up over the winter months.
Your Bedding and Mattress
Using lavender essential oil to give your sheets a calming aroma is an easy and effective way to relax and unwind at the end of a long day. Go ahead and add a few drops of lavender oil to the wash cycle when doing the laundry. Then, as you lay down in your bed and breathe in the scent, you’ll feel its relaxing effects on your mind and body, helping to prepare you for a good night’s sleep.
Before putting clean sheets back on your bed, make a spray bottle of water and lavender oil, spray your mattress a few times, and let it dry. Your mattress can pick up odors even if you wash your sheets regularly. With its antibacterial and antiviral properties, this is especially useful if someone in your household is sick.
As An All-Purpose Cleaner
As a green house cleaning company on the East End of Long Island, we love all-purpose cleaners; if they are antibacterial, it’s even better!
Here is a simple recipe for an all-purpose cleaner that you can use at home:
Mix the following in a 32 oz bottle:
- 3 cups of warm water
- 1/2 cup of vinegar
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
You can use this mixture almost everywhere, but it comes in handy, especially for disinfecting the bathroom and kitchen!
Practical Application/Safety Considerations
Is lavender essential oil safe to use around pets and small children?
The oil is generally safe for pets and small children. Still, it’s best to check with your veterinarian or pediatrician before using any oil on them. If you decide to use it around pets or children, dilute the oil in a carrier oil like coconut oil, as this will help prevent any potential skin irritation. Also, keep any bottles containing the lavender essential oil in a safe place, away from the reach of young children or pets.
Is mixing the lavender essential oil with other cleaning products safe?
Mixing it with other cleaning products is generally not advised as it can result in potentially dangerous chemical reactions. However, if you use the oil with a cleaning product, take caution and read the label to avoid a problem. It’s also important to note that essential oils are highly concentrated, so it’s best to use them sparingly or dilute them in carrier oil when possible.
Are there any surfaces that should not be cleaned with lavender essential oil?
Lavender oil should not be used on porous surfaces such as wood, as the porous nature of these surfaces could cause the oil to penetrate the material and potentially cause staining. Additionally, because of its strong scent, using it on fabrics is not typically advised, as it may also lead to fabric discoloration or staining. Finally, avoid using pure lavender essential oils on delicate surfaces such as marble, as this could cause a reaction to the surface’s finish.
Is there a risk of skin irritation when using lavender essential oil?
There is a skin irritation risk. Therefore, taking caution and doing a skin patch test beforehand is recommended. Diluting the lavender oil with a carrier oil like almond or jojoba oil before applying directly to the skin is smart. In addition, it’s also recommended not to mix the lavender essential oil with other products that may contain harsh chemicals, as this could further irritate the skin.
Final Thoughts on Effectively Using Lavender Essential Oil
Now that you know the benefits of one of the most popular essential oils, why not pick some up and stock it in your supplies? This powerful herbal remedy will help keep your house smelling fresh while providing all kinds of additional benefits to both you and your family. When used sensibly, lavender essential oil can make a great addition to health and cleaning routines in your home.
If you need help getting your home or office spick and span, contact us now for a free estimate! Let our experienced team help you achieve a spotless, sparkling environment without strong or dangerous chemicals.
I love the smell of the lavender and I actually had no idea that it has so incredible characteristics! I have problems with my sleep. I can’t get some rest because I wake up for about ten times a night. I hope that the smell of the lavender will calm my body and my mind for a good sleep. Regards! Chelsea Carpet Cleaners Ltd.
Well, I am quite surprised because I have only heard about the health benefits of Lavender Essential Oil. These are really great things to keep our home clean and dust free.