The word ‘lavender’ comes from the Latin verb lavare, which means to wash. Aptly named, lavender is the perfect herb to wash away your worries and many other ailments!
Lavender, like many other herbal remedies, can be just as (if not more) effective on symptoms as their pharmaceutical counterparts. Herbal remedies are also usually free from the side effects associated with pharmaceuticals.
I met with Clinical Herbalist Debra Swanson of Dancing Willow Herbs to discuss the healing benefits of lavender. These can be experienced through aromatherapy, ingestion through specially made tinctures (though mind the dosage!), or topical application (lotions, soaps, etc.). I’ll provide some great ways to get some more lavender in your life at the end of the article!
Here are 7 healing benefits of lavender:
- Reduces Anxiety: Lavender is a great way to calm your nerves and soothe your mind. Lavender has even been shown to be as effective as low dosages of benzodiazepines in treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
- Helps You Sleep: Because of Lavender’s soothing effect on the mind and nerves, lavender can help you fall – and stay – asleep. Combining lavender with chamomile can make for a great bedtime ritual to ease your nighttime worries or sleep troubles as well.
- Soothes Irritated Skin: Lavender contains antiseptic properties, which can cool burns and soothe itchy skin from bug bites and other irritants.
- Settles the Stomach: Lavender has a soothing effect on digestive disturbances like an upset stomach or bloating.
- Treats Blemishes: Lavender’s antiseptic properties can also be used to treat blemishes by diluting lavender essential oil and applying it with a cotton ball. Have acne on your body? Put some drops of the essential oil into the bath for a relaxing and healing bath.
- Eases Menstrual Cramps & Other Symptoms: Lavender can soothe the physical tension of PMS or menstruation. Moreover, the calming effect of this lovely herb can help mitigate the irritation or negative mood associated with PMS or menstrual cycles. Better sleep and better stress management are also added bonuses during hormone fluctuation.
- Eases Migraines & Other Headaches: Feel a headache or migraine coming on? Smell some lavender! Lavender is thought to open up blood vessels. This amazing property, along with its soothing scent and calming sensations on the mind, make lavender a great way to soothe a migraine or other headache. The sooner you apply this aromatic technique when you feel a headache coming on, the more relief you will experience.
Try these different ways to get the most out of lavender:
- Place a small satchel of dried lavender leaves under your pillow. This trick can help you fall, and stay, asleep and leave you feeling more rested after a deeper night of sleep.
- Lavender tea or lemonade: sipping on one of these yummy beverages can relax you during a stressful time or prepare you for sleep.
- Place a lavender diffuser in the room(s) you spend the most time in for a constant, relaxing smell that wafts through the air.
- Lotions and soaps infused with lavender can be a great way to add lavender to your beauty regimen.
- Place a small satchel of dried lavender leaves in the dryer or in your underwear drawer for a delicate perfume on clothing.
- Take a lavender bath! Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to experience a truly cleansing and relaxing bath.
For more amazing lavender products (including essential oil) that are all handmade, organically grown, and ethically crafted, please visit www.dancingwillowherbs.com.
*Author’s Note: I am in no way financially affiliated with Dancing Willow Herbs, but I have been using these products for years and love their stuff!
