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Lavender

Close-up of lavender flowers in a large field of lavender plants

Lavender Essential Oil Is Antibacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Calming... And Climate Friendly.

Plant name: Lavender
Latin name: Lavandula angustifolia
Parts used: Certified organic steam-distilled essential oil from flower buds
Sourced from: Bulgaria

When I smell lavender I think of lemons, clear sunshine, and most of all, falling asleep on clean white sheets with my windows thrown open to let in a cool breeze. It’s one scent that always makes me stop, take a deep breath, and say “aaahhhhhh…”

What is it about lavender that makes it such a distinctive scent? This robust, sweet-smelling herb has been associated with cleansing and calming for thousands of years, with evidence of its use showing up in ancient texts around the world, including the Bible. Today, lavender is one of the most commonly used scents in the world.


HOW CAN LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL HELP ME AND MY SKIN?

Antibacterial
It is no wonder that this plant has been added to cleaning products for centuries; lavender contains antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties. Lavender essential oil can be applied directly to wounds, bug bites (it can help prevent these, too), and acne to keep the area sanitary and free from infection. And since lavender essential oil discourages the proliferation of bacteria, it makes a great ingredient for natural deodorant! Read more about the essential oils used in our deodorants in The Pits: Natural Deodorant 101.

 

Anti-Inflammatory
Lavender is helpful for soothing small wounds, acne, sunburns, rashes, or irritated skin because it is anti-inflammatory. One of our favorite ways to use lavender essential oil is to mix it with chilled water and aloe and spray it on painful sunburns or itchy skin. We love to include lavender in our skincare products because it is gentle and healing for people with sensitive skin.


Aromatherapy
Lavender’s healing properties go beyond skincare, and it is a popular ingredient in food, beverages, and home products. Lavender contains compounds that act as a gentle sedative to the central nervous system, help ease indigestion, offer stress relief, relieve headaches, and help you relax into a restful sleep. Lavender essential oil is great for aromatherapy, but as we explain in our Essential Oil Safety Primer, we always recommend using whole flowers instead of essential oil when it comes to ingesting lavender. 

Uses for Lavender
- Brew a tea with the flowers
- Burn the flowers as incense
- Keep a sachet of dried flowers under your pillow
- Spray a bit of diluted essential oil on your sheets or in your bath
- Use lavender oil in a diffuser
- Rub a bit of lavender-infused moisturizer under your nose


LAVENDER IS CLIMATE FRIENDLY

Lavender is a perennial plant, meaning that it will grow year after year without needing to be re-planted. Perennial shrubs like lavender are good for the planet because they grow long roots that help put carbon back into the soil and make the soil healthier for other plants, especially when farmed in an organic and regenerative manner.

Lavender is drought resistant and easy to grow with little intervention. Lavender flowers are also attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are vital for biodiversity and growing food.

Lavender is one of those ingredients that we could talk about all day long, as it has countless uses and benefits for our lives. These are the products that we use lavender in:

Essential Oil Flight
Lavender Bergamot Deodorant
Lavender Deodorant Cream
Lavender Baking Soda Free Deodorant Cream
Lavender Lemongrass Body Oil
Lavender Lemon Body Soap
Pink Rose Clay Facial Soap
Lavender Coconut Milk Shampoo Bar
Conditioner Bar
Insect Repellant

Written by Faye Lessler a California-born, Brooklyn-based freelance writer and founder of lifestyle blog, Sustaining Life. She loves to write mission-driven content while sipping black tea in a beam of sunshine.

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