Is Lavender antibacterial and antifungal?

 

Botanical Name: Lavandula Angustifolia

Country of Origin: Provence, France

Extraction Method: Steam distillation of petals

Scent Profile: Lavender is a well-known essential oil for its floral, fresh and herbaceous aroma. Surround your living area with the soothing scent of Lavender to unwind and recuperate from the stresses of your everyday.



The power of Lavender and how it works

Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular and versatile essential oils used in aromatherapy. Lavender is known for its antiseptic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. True Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) is the best variety to use for healing and aromatherapy. It promotes relaxation and is believed to treat anxiety, fungal infections, allergies, depression, insomnia, eczema, nausea, and menstrual cramps. In addition, it helps to calm our mind, enhance the state of emotional balance in our body and aids in insomnia, enhancing our mental wellness. Widely known for its antimicrobial properties, for centuries Lavender oil has been used to fight various infections and combat bacterial and fungal disorders.

Therapeutic Properties	Health Benefits
Treats insomnia	Aids in proper digestion
Treats anxiety and depression	Cures headaches
Reduces depression	Heals wounds

 

IN SKINCARE

Most likely due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics, Lavandula mixed with a carrier oil (like jojoba or rice bran oil) has profound benefits on your skin. Research indicates that its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help ease skin conditions and reverse signs of ageing.

Treats eczema: Lavender essential oil has the ability to relieve itching and reduce the symptoms of eczema. It also decongests the irritated areas on the skin by adding moisture, thereby accelerating the healing process.

Heals burns: The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of Lavender oil again play a role here. The oil is beneficial in healing burns, and also helps treat the scars caused by them (or scars caused by injuries). In addition, Lavender also acts as a pain reliever.

Relieves insect bites: Though not a serious problem, insect bites can indeed mess up your daily activities. But that wouldn’t be the case when you have Lavender oil handy. Simply add a few drops of Lavender on the insect bite or gnaw, and see the itching and swelling decrease considerably.

How to use for face care:
Add one drop of essential oil to one dollop of your face cream or lotion and apply every two days. Do not be tempted to add more oil. Higher doses do not work better than regular applications.

How to use for body care:
Use no more than 4 to 5 drops for every 5ml of body lotion or carrier oil. Apply the mixture all over the skin and pat dry or allow full absorption.

IN HAIR CARE

Lavender oil is extremely effective in treating hair loss or Alopecia Areata. This is a condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body. This is because it cures insomnia, stress, anxiety and depression, which are the common causes of hair loss. Regular massage with this oil helps in controlling hair loss and improving hair growth by increasing blood circulation. It stimulates new hair growth but can also increase scalp and hair health and thickness.

Treats dandruff: Lavender can help you get rid of dry itchy scalp and dandruff. Because Lavender is an antimicrobial, it may prevent the formation of dandruff. Its natural anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce scalp inflammation and dry scalp. It’s also a natural treatment for head lice.

Lavender blends well with

When you pay attention to scent notes, you'll find Lavender adds a clean, vibrant scent to other florals, softens spicy or woodsy scents, and adds a little herbal essence to citruses. As a floral, calming oil, Lavender oil blends well with bright, citrus oils like Bergamot or Mandarin. The light aroma of Lavender oil also makes it a good companion to herbaceous essential oils like Marjoram or Frankincense essential oil.

Benefits of Lavender

• Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to heal minor burns and bug bites. It has been used to fight various infections and combat bacterial and fungal disorders. It also speeds the healing of burns, cuts, scrapes and wounds. Applying it to wounds can not only increase cell growth causing the wound to heal faster, but it also decreases the appearance of scars.
  
  
• As an antimicrobial, Lavender not only helps eliminate bacteria but also acts against certain types of fungi. It’s been found to be a highly potent remedy for athlete’s foot and ringworm. It can also help reduce inflammation and clear up viral infections such as cold sores and warts.
  
  
• Lavender's decongestant and expectorant properties make it beneficial for reducing or relieving respiratory issues such as coughs, colds, and the flu. Its anti-bacterial activity fights respiratory infections and inflammation from ailments such as bronchitis, laryngitis, and tonsillitis.
  
  
• Lavender is powerful and contains important compounds such as linalool. Linalool has been shown to reduce anxiety and blood pressure.
  
  
• Lavender helps treat acne and soothes irritated skin. It is a potent antimicrobial, and antibacterial so it can be used to treat a number of skin problems like eczema, psoriasis and other allergies. Since Lavender has antifungal properties and reduces inflammation, it can help keep eczema at bay.
  
  
• Due to its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Lavender not only nourishes the skin back to a healthy glow but also helps prevent wrinkles and lightens the appearance of age spots and dark marks. It also fights the look of ageing by smoothing the look of wrinkles and boosting circulation, which nourishes and oxygenates the skin to keep it looking healthy and rejuvenated.
  
  
• Using Lavender topically can help improve a number of skin conditions, from canker sores to allergic reactions, acne and age spots. Research indicates that its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help ease skin conditions and reverse signs of ageing.
  
  
• Lavender has been used to treat neurological issues like migraines, stress, anxiety and depression. Lavender has also been shown to improve PTSD symptoms.
  
  
• Lavender has been shown to improve memory loss and dementia symptoms due to its potent antioxidant properties.
  
  
• Many women will experience premenstrual tension (PMT). Some of the symptoms include bloating, pain, irritability, moodiness, anxiety and low mood. Using Lavender essential oil through aromatherapy has been shown to alleviate the symptoms associated with PMT.
  
  
• Lavender is one of the best essential oils for headaches because it induces relaxation and relieves tension. It works as an anti-anxiety, anticonvulsant and calming agent. As a natural sedative, it works quickly to relieve tension, ease anxiety, relax the body and calm the mind.
  
  
• It's no secret that Lavender is used far and wide to promote good sleep. Inhaling Lavender has been shown to reduce sleep disturbance, improve the quality and duration of sleep, fight insomnia, and improve overall well-being.
  
  
• Lavender does double duty for insect bites. It acts as an insect repellent and helps relieve insect bites by warding off bacteria and reducing inflammation. It also naturally helps relieve pain.
  
  
• Lavender is said to help with digestive issues like vomiting, nausea, intestinal gas, upset stomach, and abdominal swelling. It improves the motility of the intestinal tract, allowing food to pass through more readily. Diluting and using it in a massage can stimulate the intestinal movement that prompts the gastric fluids required for proper digestion. This can help relieve stomach pain, flatulence, and diarrhoea.

 

Methods and directions to use essential oils.

Device or Method	Usage
Nebuliser	Add 30 - 40 drops (of pure essential oil) in a nebuliser.
Ultrasonic Mist Diffuser	Add 15 - 20 drops (of any essential oil) into the water (glass bowl).
Candle Burner	Add 8 - 15 drops to warm water to the bowl of the burner. Light a tea light candle and place it in the hearth of the burner.
Electric Burner	Add 15 - 30 drops to warm water to the bowl of the burner. Control the heat by using the dimmer.
Massage	Add 10 drops to 15 – 25ml to carrier oil. Massage deeply into muscle and pressure points.
Aromatherapy baths	Add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil into the bath.

 

How to choose the best Lavender essential oil?

Lavandula Angustifolia is what many people in the aromatherapy industry refer to as "true" Lavender, though technically all plants in the Lavandula genus are in fact true Lavenders. Lavender is one of the gentlest oils, making it a great option for beginners, and it's versatile. All essential oils are extracted from plant material through steam distillation. With Lavender, it takes about 3 pounds of flowers to pack all the powerful healing properties of the plant into just half an ounce of essential oil. So Lavender essential oil doesn't just smell nice. It's made up of hundreds of soothing natural compounds, and when you inhale it or apply it to your skin, it can have a profound effect on both your mind and your body.

Here are some things to look out for to make sure you're getting a 100% pure Lavender essential oil. Avoid "fragranced" or "perfume oils": Fragranced oils are synthetic fragrances or perfumes added to the oil without all the health and healing benefits of a pure Lavender essential oil extracted from the plant. It should include the Latin name of the plant, which in the case of Lavender is Lavandula Angustifolia, if other ingredients have been added to it (should be just pure Lavender essential oil without fillers), and country of origin. To protect the quality of your Lavender essential oil and extend its shelf life, choose one in an amber or cobalt glass bottle. The darker bottle will help protect the essential oil against light and oxidation. Prices between different brands can cover a broad range depending on their production and sourcing methods. However, if you find a Lavender essential oil at a rock-bottom price, it's probably not genuine.