Why is lavender oil the most popular essential oil?

Lavender oil, also known by its scientific name Lavandula angustifolia, is an essential oil obtained from the lavender flower. Lavender is a flowering plant from the mint family. Fun fact: all plants in the mint family share stems that are slightly square. 

Lavender is known for its fragrance and beautiful blue-purple flowers. Although lavender is cultivated all over the world today, it was first cultivated from wild flowers in the Mediterranean 2,500 years ago.

Lavender essential oil has a beautiful scent. 

Many people love the aroma that lavender gives off. People describe the scent of lavender as floral, fresh, sweet, herbal and sometimes slightly fruity. Inhaling lavender induces feelings of calm and is physically and emotionally soothing.

Lavender essential oil is versatile. 

Lavender is often called a full first aid kit in itself. It has many (many) different uses and can also be combined with other essential oils depending on the desired effect.

• Topical application: When diluted with a carrier oil, lavender oil has a soothing effect on the skin, helps with insect bites, helps even out skin tone, and can be used to heal minor wounds. The mixture can be used as a lotion or moisturizer, once or twice a day. For hair health, you can mix a few drops of lavender and castor oil and massage into the scalp as a soothing end-of-day treatment and/or add two or three drops to every drop of shampoo or conditioner.

• Diffuse into the air: If you want to relieve symptoms of anxiety, support congestion, and help you relax or sleep, you may want to diffuse lavender oil. To do this, you will need a small device called a diffuser, which disperses small particles into the air for inhalation. Add water and a few drops of lavender essential oil and let sit in the room.

• Added to the bath: A few drops of lavender oil can be added to the bath (Epsom salt is also wonderful) when you want to relax.

• Sprinkle on your pillow: Add a few drops when you want to relax into a deep sleep.

• Used in the home: A few drops of lavender oil can be applied to a rag on dusty surfaces in your home. You can also add a few drops to a reusable dryer ball to freshen up laundry, or mix lavender oil and water in a spray bottle for a refreshing room spray (be sure to shake before use).

Lavender essential oil has many uses. 

Lavender essential oil has been studied for its extensive benefits. Here are a few ways you can use it:

Sleep Support: Add a few drops of lavender oil and a 50/50 mixture of grape seed and water to an amber aromatherapy spray bottle. Shake before each use and spray on a pillowcase or apply as a massage oil to the neck for a great night's sleep.

Promote relaxation: Add a few drops of lavender to your bath or mix it with avocado oil and apply as a massage oil when you need to calm your mind.

Headache Support: Massage a little diluted lavender oil on the back of the neck and/or temple, above the upper lip, or diffuse it around the room to relieve headaches.

Wound healing support: Dilute a few drops of lavender oil with a carrier oil and apply directly to minor wounds to speed up healing.

Insect repellent: Apply diluted lavender oil topically as an insect repellent. (Lavender oil-scented candles can also help repel mosquitoes.)

 Insect bites: Mix a few drops of lavender and tea tree oil with a teaspoon of baking soda and water to relieve the irritation of insect bites. Apply the paste on the affected area.

Hair Support: Make a topical mixture by mixing a few drops of lavender oil, 3 drops of rosemary oil, a few drops of thyme oil, and a few drops of cedar wood mixed into a mixture of castor oil and grapeseed oil.

Respiratory Health: Diffusing lavender oil when you feel congested or congested, or applying a blend of lavender, eucalyptus, and grapeseed oil to your chest can help you breathe easier when you're congested.

Beauty: Add a few drops of lavender to a moisturizer or carrier oil, such as tamanu or coconut oil, and apply to skin.

Dermatitis: Apply a mixture of lavender oil and grape seed oil to soothe flare-ups.

Lavender essential oil is easy to use. 

Many aromatherapists will tell you that if you can only afford one essential oil, make it lavender because it can be used in a variety of ways. You can use lavender to support almost any condition, both physical and emotional. Lavender oil is extremely gentle and when properly diluted it is one of the safest essential oils you can use.

What is good lavender oil?

Among the most popular brands of lavender oil are Naka and Now, both Canadian brands that put quality at the forefront of all their formulations. Naka 100% Pure Lavender Essential Oil is strong, pure and steam distilled to create a pure oil. Naka lavender is available in non-organic and organic formulations, both sourced from France. However, if you are looking for a larger size oil, Now Lavender Oil comes in a value size and is undiluted and pressed in hexane, offering a sweet and aromatic scent and also available as a certified organic lavender oil.