Tips on How To Use Lavender Essential Oils

Essential oils have become increasingly popular, as many people are trying to use nontoxic products. They serve a purpose in personal care and around the home, as well as in emotional contexts. Lavender oil is a great example of a fragrance that serves many functions and can be incorporated easily into your life! It is well known for promoting calm and relaxation every time it is used around the home or on your body! Here are my tips on how to use lavender essential oils. 

First of all, always try to source pure lavender (or any essential oil) from sustainable sources, and watch out for copycats like artificial fragrance or lavandin. I personally like Young Living lavender Essential oil. You can use lavender in so many more ways than sniffing it. Try incorporating these ideas in your home and see how you feel!
Around the home

• Use one drop in the toilet after cleaning as a natural non-toxic air purifier.
• Put 3-5 drops into a small spritz bottle (2-3 oz) and mix with water. Spray this mixture on linens, clothing, in trash cans — or anywhere else that might benefit from a fresh scent.
• Add 3-4 drops to the water when you wash a load of laundry

Personal Care

• Use as perfume instead of conventional perfumes, which are often a mystery blend of potentially toxic artificial scents. Dab one drop on your wrists and behind your ears as well. It is purely plant based with no alcohol, and the peaceful aroma will last throughout the day.
• Release 3-5 droplets into a warm bath instead of using the many scented bath products containing synthetic chemicals. Skip the bubbles and try lavender oil instead!
• For trauma and cuts — I always try to have a small bottle of lavender on hand for an emergency. If I cut myself and don’t have access to soap and water, I use lavender oil on the cut until I can wash it well. This also works for me with other injuries such as bruises or sprains; if I use lavender as soon as the injury happens, the scent instantly serves as a mild relaxant until I can access necessary health care. It also may help soothe mild trauma and promote healing.

During cold and flu

Reduce Sniffles — Lavender: 1 drop with one drop coconut oil to rub over the bridge of nose.

Play Dough

Making your own play dough for the kids is easy and fun and I like adding lavender oil to mine for a nice smell that is also calming. 

Cleaning 

Lavender essential oil is a gentle antiseptics and antibacterials so I use it in my homemade cleaning supplies. 

All-purpose Spray:

• 32-ounce spray bottle
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon pure castile soap
• 20 drops lavender oil

Fill the bottle with the water. Add vinegar, castile soap, lavender Oil.

Floor Swiffer Pads and Cleaning Solution: With three little kids at home, I feel that I do nothing but clean sometimes. We spend most of our time in the kitchen, so naturally I do like to wipe down the floors at the end of day. I have found this recipe for homemade Swiffer pads and cleaning solution that have been a lifesaver.

Do you have any other uses for lavender oil that you’d like to share, or have you found success with any of these uses? Please comment below!