Lavender oil

Lavender oil

Scientific name: Lavandula angustifolia, Ayurveda name: Ustukhudusa 

The oil made from this purple flower is a popular choice amongst people from all over the world. Lavender essential oils are known for their aromatherapy properties and have a wide range of benefits for the mind and the body. Massages using this oil or including a few drops in bathwater go a long way in helping one relax, reduce anxiety, and even act as an anti-depressant. Apart from being used in oils, they are used in food, moisturizers, candles, and body washes. Lavender is grown in various parts of the world like the Canary Islands, parts of Europe, north and east African countries, the Mediterranean belt, and southwest Asia. In India, lavender is commonly found in the southeast region.

Benefits of using lavender oil:

• Massaging a few drops of lavender oil onto the scalp along with base oils aids healthy hair growth and prevents problems like dandruff and hair fall. 
• The anti-inflammatory properties of this herb help in relieving pain in areas like joints, lower back, strained and sore muscles, and even headaches. 
• Inhaling lavender oil helps to prevent respiratory diseases like bronchitis and asthma while also strengthening the lungs. 
• The most popular quality associated with this herb is its ability to reduce anxiety. Due to its aromatherapy properties, lavender oil can help prevent panic attacks by calming the nervous system. 
• Applying lavender oil on one’s skin helps prevent fungal and bacterial infections. Apart from that, the topical application of this oil results in removing scars. 

How can lavender oil be used?

Lavender is available most commonly in the form of oils. This can be used in a variety of ways that come with its host of benefits. While using it on hair, two or three drops of lavender oil can be added with a base oil like jojoba or coconut for better results. Topical application onto different parts of the body is another way of this using this oil.

This essential oil can be added to bathwater as well. Including around five drops of lavender oil in a bathtub and relaxing in it for half an hour twice or thrice a week can do wonders for one’s physical and mental well-being. 

Including a few drops of lavender oil in humidifiers in rooms or adding it to hot water and inhaling steam can uplift one’s mood while the respiratory system is also benefitted. 

Side effects:

The application of lavender oil and its other products on the skin is safe if one is not allergic to it. Pregnant women and lactating mothers can use this product after consulting their physicians, to be on the safer side. The calming effect after applying lavender oil occurs because it slows down the nervous system, so it is advisable to avoid using this oil during and before surgeries which require anesthesia. Doing so will prevent the nervous system from slowing down too much and affecting mobility.