Lavender is a beautiful plant with violet colored flowers and numerous health benefits to offer. You’re probably using lavender oil at home to calm your senses after a tough day. This isn’t really surprising given that this herb can soothe tired minds while at the same time treat minor ailments too. What health benefits can you get from this herb? Here are five of the best health benefits that lavender can provide you with.
- Fight dandruff. Worried about your dandruff? Lavender oil can actually help improve scalp conditions according to experts. You can create a dandruff remedy by mixing 2 tablespoons of almond or olive oil with 15 drops of lavender essential oil in a mug. Microwave the mixture for 10 seconds or until it becomes warm. Wash your hair and towel it dry. Massage the mixture onto your scalp and cover it with a shower cap. Let it sit for an hour before shampooing. You will need to repeat this several times to see results.
- Good for relaxation. Like it was mentioned before, smelling the scent of lavender can actually help you relax. The scent of lavender actually reduces blood pressure and heart rate which helps you achieve a relaxed state. If you want to get a good night’s sleep, just add a handful of dried lavender in a vase on your nightstand or you can use a diffuser. However, make sure that you practice other sleeping techniques as well such as meditation, exercising early in the day, and even turning off devices prior to sleeping so your body will be able to adjust into sleep mode.
- Prevent bloating. Bloating occurs when there is too much “bad” bacteria in the gut or when your digestive system isn’t working well. Fortunately, the polyphenols that are present in lavender can reduce the presence of “bad” bacteria in your stomach. You can add some culinary lavender on top of your yogurt for a quick fix. Yogurt is also a good choice to help balance the bacteria in your gut for better digestion.
- Relieve itchy skin. If you’ve been attracting mosquitos wherever you go, for sure you’ll have plenty of bites that make your skin itch. This is quite irritating not to mention uncomfortable which is why breaking out your lavender essential oil is recommended. Lavender contains anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce redness, itching, as well as swelling of your skin. Dab some lavender oil on the affected area and wait for your skin to absorb the oil. You can apply the oil every six to eight hours but you should stop if your skin reacts to the oil.
- Make meals healthier. Another health benefit that you can reap from lavender is making your meals healthier. The phytonutrients that are present in lavender are needed by the body so sprinkle some on poultry, grilled meats, vegetables, and even whole grains too. Not only will your meal be tastier but you’ll be helping your body absorb some important nutrients as well.
As you can see, the lavender plant is not just a nice addition to the garden because of its blossoms but also because of the numerous health benefits that it can provide you with. Just imagine how great it is to simply step out of your garden, get some lavender leaves, and use them to treat common ailments instead of relying on medication too much. And since lavender is a plant that can repel any pesky insects, you’ll be enjoying your outdoors even more too.
