When I was younger, I loved running my hands through lavender plants, crushing the little purple flowers and inhaling the soft scent. The heavenly lavender aroma is just one reason to love lavender. Here are a few more…
Lavender Helps Your Hair
Did you know that lavender oil can help fight dandruff and many other hair and scalp conditions? All you need to do is dampen your hair and towel dry. Then, mix around 15 drops of lavender essential oil with 2 tablespoons of almond or olive oil. Pop it in the microwave for a few seconds. When it’s warm, massage the oil into your scalp and leave it to set for 60 minutes under a shower cap. Simply shampoo it out and repeat every now and then until your dandruff is a distant memory.
Lavender Soothes Your Stomach
Lavender not only looks lovely, it may also help balance bacteria in your gut. Antibiotics, alcohol, stress and other factors can allow bad bacteria to have a party in your intestines. However, lavender acts as a natural bacteria buster, as it contains the antioxidant polyphenols.
How to eat it? Try sprinkling dried culinary lavender into a small bowl of Greek or natural yoghurt.
Lavender Calms Your Mind
You only have to take a whiff of a lavender plant or essential oil to experience its calming benefits. Studies show that the scent of lavender lowers the heart rate and blood pressure. This helps you relax and ward off stress. So if you’re finding it hard to sleep, try a spritz of lavender on your pillow, or place some dried lavender on your bedside table. Another option is lavender oil in a diffuser.
Lavender Soothes Your Skin
Been bitten by a mozzie? While eucalyptus oil is a common remedy, lavender essential oil also works as a wonderful anti-inflammatory. Pop a little on the bite, wait for 15 minutes or until it seeps in and enjoy the relief!
Lavender is Easy to Eat
Lavender is packed with phytonutrients, which are beneficial for the body in many ways. Best of all, lavender is easy to eat. Just be sure to buy culinary lavender! Add it to couscous, rice, chicken, meat, vegetables or barley. Delicious!
Want to know a few more ways to use lavender? Your local aromatherapist will have even more handy hints.
Originally published on Aug 26, 2013
