66+ Uses for Pure Lavender Oil

Pure lavender oil is an incredible essential oil to use for your own health and wellness. It's among the gentlest of essential oils, but also one of the most powerful, making it a favorite of households for the healing properties and uses of lavender essential oil.

Truly pure oil will have a sweet floral smell first, with a slightly woody, herbaceous undertone. Other than the numerous physical effects it has (below) it promotes well-being, peace, compassion, grounding and centering and spiritual consciousness.

The physical properties of pure lavender oil are incredible, including:

• Analgesic
• Anticoagulant
• Anticonvulsant
• Antidepressant
• Antifungal
• Antihistamine
• Anti-infectious
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Antimutagenic
• Antiseptic
• Antispasmodic
• Antitoxic
• Antitumor
• Cardiotonic
• Regenerative
• Sedative

(To read more about the properties and research done on this pure lavender oil and all others, I highly recommend the book Modern Essentials: A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Uses of Essential Oils.)

However, it's important to remember that not all lavender oil is created equal.

Many brands on the market today are very low quality. Some may be mixed with carrier oils or other additives, such as perfumes or preservatives. And even the oils marked "100% Pure" or "100% lavender" may still contain impurities, such as pesticides, residues and contaminants from poor growing, harvesting or processing practices. On top of that, the variety of lavender, where it's grown and when it's harvested all affects the quality of the oil you're putting in your system.

I have used lavender oil since 2001, having been trained in aromatherapy as a massage therapist. I was well-versed in the uses of lavender essential oil. Among the brands I had used, I had seen its benefits, but still wasn't enthralled. I mean, it was good...but it wasn't amazing.

Well, it actually is amazing. But what I didn't realize was that the properties research has shown lavender to have was being diminished by the quality of the oils I was using - even so-called high-quality, certified organic brands.

Then I found my favorite brand, doTERRA.

The first thing I found in trying the doTERRA brand of pure lavender oil was the aroma: While all others brands I had used had a very strong woody undertone, I was taken aback by doTERRA's sweet, floral smell (I actually had to doublecheck the label, because I wasn't sure it was lavender!).

The next thing I noticed was just how powerfully effective it was on things such as skin irritation or eczema, or for my husband's ability to sleep soundly. We've been testing out the uses of lavender essential oil on a number of things since and now can't stand using any other oil (they smell old to us now).

Read More: Choosing the best essential oils possible.

Uses of Lavender Essential Oil

Traditionally, you can use pure lavender oil in three ways. Use these suggestions unless otherwise noted below:
Aromatically - Can be diffused in the air or inhaled directly.
Topically - Can be applied directly to the skin or within a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, for young or sensitive skin. Start with one drop to 1-3 tsp of carrier oil and increase as needed.
Internally - Generally recognized as safe by the FDA (21CFR182.20) to be used in cooking, adding a drop to purified water or taken as a dietary supplement, diluting 1 drop in 1 tsp. honey or 4 oz of non-acidic, non-dairy beverage (not for children under 6 years old and in greater dilution for older children).
NEAT - NEAT means you can generally apply the oil without any dilution, directly to the skin. However, it's always a good idea to patch test your own skin first, just in case.

Read more about these uses with this application guide.

Other common uses for lavender essential oil can include in cleaning products, adding the oil to your bath, creating a body scrub, adding it to your shampoo or body moisturizer, sprinkling it on a pillow or in shoes, or any other creative use you can think of. (Be sure to avoid direct contact with eyes though.)

Remember that this guide is in no way here to replace medical advice or your own judgment. Consult your doctor, always do a skin test and use caution. Essential oils may be natural, but that doesn't mean they aren't powerful.

Precaution: Dilute greatly and use with caution for children.

Suggested and Possible Uses of Lavender Essential Oil

Agitation or Anxiety
Apply topically by itself or in a carrier oil to the chest, soles of the feet or top of the head to calm agitation or anxiety. Or use aromatically by adding it to a bath.

Allergies
Use topically alone or in a carrier oil on allergic skin reactions or apply to the chest or soles of feet for seasonal allergy support. You can also diffuse or inhale for more systemic support.

Appetite (Increase)
Appetite loss due to stress, depression or illness may be increased by using it aromatically.

Arrhythmia
Uses for lavender essential oil include aromatically or topically to the chest support a steady heartbeat.

Atherosclerosis
Use aromatically to support heart health.

Blisters and Boils
Apply topically (with or without a carrier oil, depending on skin sensitivity) directly to the site.

Breasts
Massage topically (with or without a carrier oil, depending on skin sensitivity) to soothe tenderness, swelling, engorgement, etc.

Bug Bites
Apply topically (with or without a carrier oil, depending on skin sensitivity) directly to the site.

Bug Repellant
Apply topically to the body help repel gnats, mosquitos and midges.

Burns
Pure lavender oil has long been used for healing burns. Apply directly to the site, or use in a very light, non-greasy carrier such as aloe, immediately and every few hours while healing.

Calming
Whether you're stressed, overwhelmed, angry or otherwise, lavender oil can be used aromatically or topically to calm nerves and emotions.

Cancer
Apply topically (with or without a carrier oil, depending on your skin sensitivity) directly over the site. Also use aromatically to promote well-being.

Chicken Pox
Used topically over the pox pure lavender oil can help soothe itchy skin and promote faster recovery this viral infection.

Cold Sores
Dilute 1 drop of lavender to 10-15 drops of coconut oil and apply directly to the cold sore.

Concentration (Distraction)
Lavender can help you to feel more grounded and focused, helping you concentrate and think clearly when used aromatically throughout the room or home, or just on your body.

Convulsions
Use topically to help soothe the nervous system and support balance in the body.

Crying (Uncontrollable)
Uses of lavender essential oil for its calming and soothing effects can help balance overwhelming emotions in healthy ways.

Cuts
Apply lavender topically to aid in healing and prevent infection.

Dandruff
Apply topically for its antifungal properties (dandruff is often caused by a fungal/yeast infection) and to soothe dry, irritated skin and balance pH levels on the skin.

Depression (including Postpartum)
Apply topically, diffuse in the air (or inhale directly), or take internally as described above.

Detox
Use with a carrier oil and massage toward the heart to increase the lymphatic system.

Diabetic Sores
Can assist in preventing gangrene and other infections with is anti-everything properties when used topically.

Diaper Rash
I recommend testing for sensitivity first on a less tender area of the body. Dilute 10 drops of lavender oil to 1 TB carrier oil. More or less can be tested carefully.

Diuretic
Apply topically to the reflex points for the urinary system, over the lower abdomen and on the soles of the feet.

Dry Lips
Dilute 1-2 drops in 1 tsp of coconut oil and apply to the lips as needed.

Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Pain)
Apply directly to the lower abdomen, over the reflex points of the feet (heels and ankles) as needed.

Exhaustion
Uses of lavender essential oil topically will promote relaxation and restfulness, as well as grounding and balance.

Fever
Can be applied topically to assist the body in fighting infection and increase immune response.

Gangrene
Apply topically to the area of concern to help increase immune response and tissue health.

Gas/Flatulence
Can be taken internally as described above, or applied topically to the entire abdomen in a clockwise motion.

Giardia
Use pure lavender oil topically over the small intestines or take internally to fight parasites.

Grief
Apply topically or use aromatically to assist the grief process and provide a centering, grounding effect on the spirit.

Hair (Dry, Fragile, or Loss)
Use topically on your hair, either added in your shampoo, or add approx. 15-20 drops to 10 oz purified water to soak follicles and scalp.

Hay Fever
Apply topically to the skin (chest or reflex points) to be absorbed into the body, calming the nervous system and increasing the immune response.

Herpes Simplex
Pure lavender oil and its antiviral properties may heal outbreaks when used topically.

Hyperactivity
Diffuse in the air or apply topically to the chest or reflex points of the hands or feet for a calming, grounding effect.

Impetigo
Uses of lavender essential oil include applying topically to impetigo sites to fight infection, soothe skin irritation and aid in healing.

Inflammation
Use topically to soothe inflamed cells, fight infection and promote a faster immune response to healing.

Insomnia
Whether mild or sever, lavender oil increases relaxation response of the nervous system when used topically or aromatically. You can also place 1-2 drops on your pillow.

Itching
Whether from an allergic reaction, a big bite or an unknown cause, using lavender topically can help soothe the nervous system.

Jet Lag
Used topically, it can assist in a grounding feeling and promote deep relaxation.

Mastitis
Dilute 4 drops of oil in 1 tsp of carrier oil and massage gently into breast tissue.

Menopause
Apply topically over the lower abdomen, chest and soles of feet or diffuse aromatically to assist in balancing hormones.

Mental Stress
Diffuse in the air or apply to the reflex points of the feet (toes and beneath), to the chest and the top of the head.

Mood Swings
Diffuse pure lavender oil in the air or inhale directly for at least 30 seconds as needed.

Pain
Massage several drops into the areas of pain gently. Gentle massage also has the benefit of overriding pain signals to the brain.

Physical Stress
Whether physical exhaustion, overuse, strain or otherwise, gently massage several drops of lavender into the areas of concern.

Poison Ivy/Oak
Apply topically with or without a carrier oil as recommended for your skin type, and as needed while healing to decrease itching and prevent infection.

Rashes
Use topically as needed to prevent infection, decrease itching, increasing soothing and relaxation and assist the body's healing response.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Massage into the areas of pain, as needed.

Ringworm
Apply pure lavender oil to the site several times a day until the ringworm clears.

Sedative
Can be used aromatically or topically as a natural sedative.

Seizures
Apply topically to the chest and reflex points on the bottom of feet to help calm the systems of the body.

Skin (Dry, Sensitive, Eczema, Psoriasis, etc)
For severe areas, apply 1 drop or pure lavender oil directly to the skin. Dilute as needed depending on severity and sensitivity.

Stress/Tension (General)
Diffuse in the air, inhale directly or apply topically to the chest or reflex points of the feet.

Stretch Marks
May help prevent stretch marks, as well as decrease appearance of existing stretch marks. Massage into the skin as desired.

Sunburn
Combine 1-3 drops pure lavender oil with each teaspoon of pure aloe vera and massage into the affected areas. (We usually see incredibly fast results from this combination!)

Tachycardia
Use aromatically and apply to the reflex points of the feet and across chest to promote heartbeat regularity.

Teeth Grinding
Uses of lavender essential oil include topically across jaw to relax the muscles and promote tension release.

Teething Pain
Apply 1-2 drops to a teaspoon of carrier oil and apply to the gums. You can also add a couple drops of lavender to a cup of water, wet a washcloth with the solution, freeze and allow the little one to gnaw on the frozen cloth.

Thrush
Pure lavender oil can help fight the fungus that causes thrush when applied topically.

Ticks
Apply directly to the site to fight infection, prevent Lyme disease and promote healing.

Ulcers (Legs or Varicose)
Apply topically to the site to prevent infection and promote healing.

Vertigo
Use lavender aromatically or topically to help ground and balance.

Worms
Apply pure lavender oil topically or take internally as indicated.

Wounds (General)
Apply topically as indicated to prevent infections and increase healing.

Wrinkles
Massage gently into skin as indicated, avoiding contact with eyes. (You can use around eyes, but be careful not to get it IN the eye.)

Other possible uses of lavender essential oil include: Healing from abuse, hernia, post-labor, other sleep issues, withdrawal, aphrodisiac, acne, cramps, indigestion, lowering blood pressure, abscess, nausea, PMS, scarring, water retention, bruises, balance/centering/grounding, bronchitis, earaches, fainting or dizziness, headaches, high blood pressure, hives, flu, laryngitis, mucus, respiratory function, sunstroke, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, whooping cough and cough in general (by gargling a few drops of pure lavender oil in purified water).

Basically, pure lavender oil is so universal in its properties and uses that when in doubt, choose lavender.

Where to Buy Lavender Essential Oil

Because quality is everything when it comes to essential oils, never buy your oils from the grocery store. Although they may be suitable for aroma, they aren't the quality you need for health purposes. This is why we support and affiliate for our favorite brand, doTERRA essential oils. You can purchase your lavender essential oil oil directly from us by clicking the button below.

There are several ways to get your hands on lavender essential oil: retail, discounted, or wholesale.

But retail sucks.

So we recommend purchasing a discounted or wholesale account (similar to something like Costco) to get the best prices on this or other oils. Which is the best fit for you will depend on your needs.

Retail (International)

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Or read more about this offer here.

Ready To Take More Sustainable Baby Steps?

Discovering uses for lavender essential oil and replacing less healthy products with it is one great step toward greener living.

When you're ready for a few more steps check out the articles below.

Whatever step you take, remember to have fun!

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