Lavender - Uses and Benefits
by Saiyo
Lavender is one of the herbs I use in the making of my self-care body products. It has many beneficial aspects. Lavender helps the body to relax and destress after a hard day. It has been shown in studies to help with soothing a person to sleep. If you have anxiety, lavender has been known to help calm it, and sooth that gnawing sensation that anxiety can have. Lavender can even be used to help with small cuts and scrapes that happen in everyday life. I have even used it to help soothe a sunburn. Lavender is a very versatile herb to have at hand.
Lavender has been used in many things for years. You will often find Lavender in cosmetics even if you are unaware of it. It is often used for its many benefits. It has antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic, and sedative properties which makes it a very popular herb to use in cosmetics, perfumes, skin care, food or drink, and massage oils.
Lavender is widely known to help soothe people to sleep or to help calm anxiety. It has many more benefits besides these. Lavender due to its benefits, helps heal cuts, scrapes, and sunburns. Lavender is able to help ease the pain of any of these and more due to its sedative properties. Those that suffer from constant headaches or migraines might find some benefit from using Lavender to help ease and soothe the pain away. Lavender is also put into massage oils as it helps with soothing and calming sore or strained muscles. It also helps with inflammation. When used in massage oils it can help reduce inflammation of muscles.
Due to the antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties of lavender it makes for a great salve to help ease a burn, bug bites, rashes, or blisters. It is often mixed with other herbs that work well to help heal the skin in the same way. Always check with a doctor before use.
Lavender has also been shown to help people that deal with asthma. The scent which helps calms panic attacks and anxiety can also help to calm you during an asthma attack making it easier for you to breathe. Put some essential oil in a diffuser and just breathe in the scent when you find that you are having difficulties breathing either due to sickness or asthma.
Lavender is also used often in skin care products. You will find lavender in face washes, skin tonics, lotions, and hair care. The soothing effect of lavender helps to reduce the appearance of redness on skin and can help reduce the appearance of dandruff.
As is well known the scent of lavender has been shown to help during anxiety attacks. It also helps to lift depressive moods. Lavender can also help with insomnia. The scent can help put people into a sleepy mood. Spread a little oil on a pillow to be able to smell throughout the night. Lavender can also help ease the mind when getting over an addiction like caffeine, smoking, or drinking.
Lavender is great for using in food or drinks. It creates a subtle floral flavor if used sparingly. Using too much can quickly overwhelm the flavor profile you might be trying to create. Lavender makes great jams, jellies, vinegars, syrups, and oils. Try some lavender vinegar over a salad or some lavender syrup in drinks to enjoy the flavor.
Try lavender in your daily life to see how this herb might be able to help you the most. If you need help with anxiety or depression, use an oil diffuser and sit in the scent for a bit to help lift your mood or ease your mind. If you have a cut or bruise, try a lavender balm to help healing a bit faster. Try lavender in your food or drinks to see if you enjoy the slightly floral taste. Lavender is such a versatile herb with so many uses. Try out lavender to see what it can do for you!
Saiyo (They/Them) is a Dedicant of The Ever Green Hearth and a Sophomore at Woolston-Steen Theological Seminary. They have a passion for Herbs and Plants, and have created their own small business: The Brew - making bath and body products for self care. You can follow their business on Social Media and order these amazing natural home-made products from their Etsy Shop!
FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/TheBrewbathshop
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