How to Use Lavender (Grow It, Make Natural Remedies & More)

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How to Use Lavender (Grow it, Make Natural Remedies & More)
Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » How to Use Lavender (Grow It, Make Natural Remedies & More)

It only takes a brief scroll through my home remedies and DIY recipes to know that lavender is by far one of my favorite herbs. Not only is is beautiful and fragrant in the garden, it has hundreds of uses (literally). It’s the constant staple in my essential oil stash and I use it just about daily in one way or another.

Lavender’s claim to fame is its ability to enhance relaxation and promote restful sleep. Best of all, unlike some essential oils that require a lot of caution, lavender falls on the safer side of the spectrum, making it a great choice to use around babies and kids. A natural remedy that helps my kids stay calm and get to sleep? Um, yes please!

Let’s see what else it can do …

Lavender: The Little Purple Flower With Power

Turns out there’s good reason (many good reasons) why lavender is a crunchy mama’s right hand helper in the home.

Originating from southern Europe and parts of Africa, Asia, and India, many ancient and medieval cultures relied on the herb not just for its signature scent but also its pain relieving and sedative properties.

Thanks to its linalool and linalyl acetate components (which are present even when diffusing), lavender has protective effects shown to:

  • Stabilize mood
  • Improve sleep
  • Soothe nerves
  • Work as an expectorant
  • Balance blood sugar
  • Kill bacteria
  • Relieve pain
  • Speed wound healing

Proven Benefits of Lavender

Here’s why the little purple flower packs such a powerful punch:

Lavender for Better Sleep

There’s a reason lavender is used in so many of my DIY creations. It is well known for its ability to relax the mind and improve quality of sleep. In one 2006 study, sleep-deprived college students inhaled either lavender or a placebo. Those who used lavender slept more soundly and felt more refreshed upon waking up.

More study is needed to determine whether it is safe to use during breastfeeding (it’s generally not recommended at this time), but it’s exciting to see emerging research on how lavender might help women during the crucial postpartum time. Improving postpartum sleep (or what little we mothers get anyway) sounds like a worthy cause to me!

Lavender for Anxiety and Depression

On a similar note, many studies show interesting applications for lavender for memory, mood, and overall cognitive function. Just the odor of lavender seemed to help various test groups stay relaxed and focused when asked to do various stressful tasks, or improved their ability to recover feelings of wellbeing after exposure to stress.

Researchers continue to examine the possibilities for lavender in the treatment of dementia, anxiety, depression, and various neurological disorders.

(I don’t know if those symptoms bring this to mind for anyone else… but lavender’s soothing effects also make it great for managing PMS!)

Lavender for Skin Care

Due to its anti-inflammatory effects and ability to scavenge free radicals, lavender has a place in skin care. As is so common in the health world, controversy surrounds the subject of whether it is a skin irritant or a skin protectant, but this article by Robert Tisserand explains the reasons why its benefits outweigh any risks. (Risks are slight, in his informed opinion).

Give lavender a try in your DIY beauty routine. Use a quality oil (I like Plant Therapy) and the proper dilution for skin. If there’s any concern about sensitive skin, try a test run on a small spot in the inner elbow.

Lavender for First Aid and Wound Healing

Studies (and much anecdotal experience) show that lavender reduces pain and itching from bug bites, bee stings, and even burns. In fact one 2011 study examined the benefits of lavender in healing episiotomies and another 2013 study showed lavender aromatherapy relieved pain after c-section.

Lavender for Hair Growth

A 2016 study on mice showed lavender is an effective proponent of hair growth and significantly increased the number and health of hair follicles when applied in proper dilution daily for a period of 4 weeks. The properties make it great for healthy, shiny hair in general. (Recipes for these treatments below.)

How to Use Lavender at Home

I use lavender in just about every area of my home. I keep both the dried herb and the essential oil around because they’re needed for different preparations.

While the options to use it are just about endless, here are a few of my favorite uses:

Dried Herb Uses:

  • In a relaxing herbal tea – Lavender is too strong to be used by itself as a tea, but mixed with mint leaves it makes a soothing herbal tea. I often add chamomile too. Steep all in hot (not boiling water) for a few minutes and add honey if desired. Ahhh…
  • As a dandruff remedy – Make an extra strong batch of tea, let it cool, and use as a scalp rinse to remedy dandruff. This cooled tea recipe also doubles as an after-sun spray.
  • In a tincture – Used for medicinal purposes since ancient times, a lavender tincture can promote relaxation and sleep.
  • Inside a pillow or mask – Add the dried flowers to homemade buckwheat pillows or sleep masks to help promote relaxing sleep.
  • As a laundry or drawer freshener – I sew the dried flowers into small satchels and use them in place of dryer sheets in the dryer. (Great project for kids!)
  • For infused vinegarInfuse vinegar with the dried flowers for use in cooking or as a skin toner (diluted).
  • As an air freshener – Simmer the dried herb in a pot of water with some citrus peels for a natural air freshener!
  • As a face scrub – The dried flowers and oatmeal makes for a gentle, fragrant face scrub.
  • In cooking! – It’s not so strange! Lavender flowers actually feature in this classic herbes de Provence spice blend.

Essential Oil Uses:

  • Diffusing before bed – Put a few drops in an essential oil diffuser before bed to help the house wind down and get ready to sleep
  • To sooth sunburns or other burns – My absolute favorite burn remedy is this lavender honey burn salve. In a pinch, add a few drops of the essential oil to a bottle of cool water and spray on burns to offer relief.
  • In the bath – These DIY lavender-mint bath salts are divine after a long day and will help relax sore muscles.
  • For headaches – Smelling lavender and peppermint oils helps headaches. Simply take a whiff of essential oil or keep this headache relief roll-on handy.
  • In homemade bug spray – It is an essential ingredient in my DIY natural bug spray. (It works, I promise!)
  • In beauty recipes – Add a few drops of the essential oil make a relaxing homemade lotion or lotion bar, or even a whipped body butter.
  • For acne and skin irritations – I like to add a few drops of lavender and frankincense essential oils to my honey face mask and cleanser recipe.
  • In a hair growth serum – As mentioned above, I include lavender in my hair growth serum, especially great for that fun time of postpartum hair loss.

Either Dried or EO:

  • Salt Ear Infection Remedy – This hot pack is easy to make and such a lifesaver when an earache strikes!

Where to Buy Lavender (& How to Grow It)

My sources have varied over the years, but right now I like this source for the dried herb and this one for the essential oil. Of course the nice part is, you don’t have to buy lavender to have it around. It’s easy to grow in your own backyard and a cinch to maintain and harvest.

Since it’s pretty easy on the eyes (and the nose) as well, it’s a win-win!

Given its native regions, lavender grows best where the winter is mild and the summers are hot and dry, but it’s a forgiving plant. Visit a local nursery to find the variety best suited for your area. (Keep in mind different varieties have different blooming seasons, too.)

Lavender generally needs little water or fertilization and even grows well in pots. It’s important though that it is located in a sunny spot (6+ hours) and have good drainage. (In fact, add gravel to the potting soil if potting.)

Our plants have done well for years with little care or maintenance other than pruning them back each fall. I recommend picking a sunny spot by a walkway or door to enjoy its amazing scent every time you walk by!

Here is a detailed helpful post about when and how to harvest lavender flowers.

Is Lavender Essential Oil Safe?

Although natural, essential oils are extremely powerful and need to be respected. I personally do not use any essential oils internally (here’s why). There is some evidence that long term regular use of concentrated lavender can cause hormone imbalance in males, so I generally avoid it in things I am making for my husband or sons. I don’t use even the dried or fresh herb internally when pregnant.

Due to its relaxing properties, I would not use in conjunction with any medication that also causes relaxation or sleepiness.

Using Lavender Around Kids

Using essential oils around children definitely calls for some caution and care. I’ve had many reputable doctors and aromatherapists assure me that lavender is one of the safest oils to use around babies and kids, but there is still a right and wrong way to do it.

Plant Therapy’s Kid-Safe oils are a great way to take the guesswork out of selecting essential oils, and their website and blog are my go-to these days for essential oil information since they are backed by Robert Tisserand, one of the world’s leading experts in aromatherapy.

This article was medically reviewed by Jessica Meyers, MPAP, PA-C, RH(AHG), who specializes in herbal protocols and functional medicine. You can also find Jessica on Instagram. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Do you use lavender? What is your favorite way to use it? Share below!

Uses and Benefits of Lavender- many ways to use this beautiful herb

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

56 responses to “How to Use Lavender (Grow It, Make Natural Remedies & More)”

  1. Maria Avatar

    I use lavender more than any other herb or EO. I find it helps with my anxiety. My anxiety usually gets worse at night. I put a few drops in my diffuser when I go to bed when I feel anxious. It really helps me and I prefer using it over popping an anxiety pill when I can.

  2. Gina Avatar

    Dried lavender is also delicious when infused into fresh lemonade. I use about 1tbsp per 12oz in cheesecloth overnight & it’s fantastic. It makes real lemonade look pink, and replaces a lot of the acidity with a non-sugary sweetness that’s really smooth and refreshing without leaving that bite that too much lemon juice can leave in your mouth. It’s also calming similar to chamomile tea but not as intense.

  3. Karen Avatar

    I use lavender to flavor the water kefir I brew. Add 1-2 tsp lavender flowers to a quart of water kefir for second ferment. Yum!

  4. Crystal Avatar

    I have a very energetic full of life 2 year old daughter. I add about 4 drops of lavender oil to her bath & it truly calms her down before bedtime. I also spray a little lavender mist in her room while she is bathing. Works like a charm. Although it’s still a struggle to get her to “sleep,” she doesn’t fight it.

  5. Tanya S Avatar

    Just an awesome tidbit…Plant Therapy also sells Organic Lavender Essential Oil! I just started buying PT E.O. within the last 8 months am truly pleased! I personally use lavender for a back massage on my hubby (with a carrier), in an anxiety blend roller, in homemade lotion (Katies recipe, thanks Wellnessmama!), in a diffuser for my 3 yr old sometimes at bedtime, for burns and for a facial oil blend with almond oil and frankincense. Love this essential oil! I love what you’ve shared above on lavender! Just this past month I’ve REALLY enjoyed Traditional Medicinals Chamomile with Lavender Tea; it’s dreamy-relaxing to sip on at the end of the day!

  6. Anthony Thompson Avatar
    Anthony Thompson

    Can I use dried lavender herb in my bath while pregnant or the oil itself?
    Can I use peppermint oil for headaches while pregnant?

  7. Dana Avatar

    I had really bad finger nails. I’ve always wanted long pretty nails and I can’t stand acrylics and gels besides the fact of all the nasty chemicals I just can’t wear them or polish on my nails. So I decided to try my awesome lavender oil on my nails and it’s amazing I have long, strong, pretty nails.I have a couple of blends I make myself now ….

  8. Sharad Avatar
    Sharad

    Can you help me understand on how exactly I can use lavender dry flower for treating side effects of chemo therapy after colon carcinoma tumor removal surgery

  9. Bethany Avatar

    So I’ve seen a lot of people ask about Lavender’s effects on men. I’ve done some research and from what I can see, there was a study done when 4 boys got Prepubertal Gynecomastia. Prepubertal Gynecomastia is the gain of breast tissue on boys, pre-puberty, and it is VERY RARE.
    All of the sites I’ve found say “may cause this, may cause that” without definitive proof. The study showed that part of the chemical make up of lavender and tea tree oil MAY replicate estrogen, the female hormone when used in any and all related products.

    Take this information as you see fit, but my advice is that if young junior has trouble sleeping, a lavender bath will be absolutely fine. People of all genders have been using lavender for centuries and I don’t see any fit men rocking DD cups.

    This is a wonderful website by the way. very informative, came here to learn about cooking with lavender and I learnt a lot. xxx

  10. Alicia Avatar

    I used lavender essential oil on a GIANT stye on my right eye. Being on of the only oils safe to use undiluted, I applied it directly on my eyelid. I also used breastmilk eyedrops inside the eye. Did both of these things for 24hrs, stye was gone by the next morning 🙂

  11. Joseph Arsenault Avatar
    Joseph Arsenault

    I add a drop or two of lavender essential oils to my lemonade. It is supposed to help calm anxiety. DonLt lnow if it works yet. I just started today.

  12. Sarah Avatar

    Is it ok to use lavender in the bath for boys? I have been putting 3 drops lemon, 3 drops lavender and 1 cup of baking soda for my 3 kiddos (2 boys and 1 girl).

  13. Desiree Avatar

    Great to know all these remedies. Beverley do you notice a difference as yet?

  14. Beverly Avatar

    Like I said in the previous comment, I just bought some essential lavender oil today 8-31-15. Dr. Oz mentioned, on one of his shows, a while back that it would heal toenail fungus. I will let you guys know if it works. Thanks for all the helpful information.

    1. Elaine Avatar

      Tea Tree Oil (Melaluca) also kills toenail fungus. My husband had a toenail fungus when we first got married. I suggested he put the tea tree oil on 2-3 times a day until it disappeared. If I remember correctly the fungus disappeared after a couple of weeks. So now if he has a flare up he comes looking for the tea tree oil. I hope this helps.

  15. Jose Ruben Alvarado Avatar
    Jose Ruben Alvarado

    Very interesting items about the Lavender uses and remedies.thanks for share the information and knowledge of Lavender. I will like to know how to use lavender to heal an eczema around the jaw bone area.I have gone to dermatologist and they prescribe lotions that are not help full to heal this condition.if you can help me with some advice I will appreciate it.thanks again.May God bless you always.

  16. Dawn Avatar

    I also do not use lavender oil or tea tree oils for products that my husband or sons will be using. But love them both for me

  17. Sarah Avatar

    I just wanted to mention that lavender is also great for poison ivy! I put a drop on some places that came up on me after gardening, the the duration of the poison ivy was significantly reduced.

  18. Sharon Avatar
    Sharon

    How do ou get the lavender oil? I just planted some lavender,but not sure when or how to use it.

  19. Amanda Avatar
    Amanda

    Where can one get the lavender dry herb? or any others?

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