Lavender Essential Oil: The Swiss Army Knife of Essential Oils

Even if you are new to essential oils, chances are good that you have used or at least seen lavender essential oil at some point in your life, but why is it so popular?

Native to Northern Africa and the Mediterranean, Lavender gets its name from the Latin word “lavare” meaning “to wash.”  In fact, ancient Romans would add lavender blossoms to their baths and use the flowers to scent their clothes, beds, and hair. The Romans did not just use lavender for its smell, however, Roman soldiers also brought lavender with them to battle to clean and treat their wounds. Even before the Romans, ancient Egyptians would use lavender in their embalming practices, and Greek physician Dioscorides experimented with using lavender as an insect repellant. 

Today, lavender essential oil is derived from steam-distilling the flowers of this popular member of the mint family. One of the most versatile and popular essential oils, lavender is commonly used for its calming scent and its skin soothing properties. In Canada, lavender essential oil is listed as a natural health product used to:

No wonder lavender essential oil is considered the “Swiss Army Knife” of oils—it’s good for just about everything! 

Try some of these simple DIYs to incorporate lavender essential oil into your beauty and wellness routines.

 * Skin soothing roller—In a roller-topped bottle, put 10 drops lavender essential oil then fill with almond, avocado, olive, or other carrier oil. Use on scrapes, stings, bug bites, dry spots, and other skin irritations to soothe and restore skin’s natural health.

* Relaxing Lavender Bath Salts—Mix together 2 cups Epsom salt, 1 cup coarse sea salt, 1/2 cup dried lavender buds, 20 to 25 drops of lavender essential oil, and 1 tbsp carrier oil (almond, avocado, olive, etc.) until well combined. Store in air-tight container such as a glass jar. Add about 1 cup of bath salts under running water while tub fills. Relax your mind and body as you soak away the stresses of the day. Yields 3 baths. 

* Gardener’s Hand Scrub—Combine ¼ cup unscented Castile soap, ¼ cup melted coconut oil, and 15-20 drops lavender essential oil until well-mixed. Stir in 1 cup plain white sugar and ½ cup Epsom salt. Store in air-tight container such as glass jar. To use, scoop out about a Tablespoon of mixture and rub it all over hands, rinse with warm water. This scrub helps to remove dirt and soften work-worn hands. 

* Nighty-night eye pillow—Cut two rectangles of fabric 10inches x 5 inches. With the pretty side of the fabric on the inside, sew rectangles together on both long sides and one short side. Turn right-side out. Mix together 1¼ cup of flax seed, ¼ cup plus 2 rounded tablespoons of dried lavender flowers and 3-4 drops of lavender essential oils. (Use more for a stronger fragrance.) Using a funnel or a spoon, fill the fabric rectangle with this mixture. Turn the rough edges of the unsewn side of the rectangle to the inside and sew opening shut. Place over eyes at night to enjoy the soothing scent of the lavender. This can also be made into a “lovey” for a child to help promote feelings of calm at bedtime.