Simple Truths: The many health and beauty benefits of lavender

Lavender as a herb is found almost everywhere in the market, in shampoos, conditioners, soaps, gels, creams, scrubs, perfumes, essential oils, teas and more. You probably know it as one of the most fragrant and effective relaxants, if you’ve ever used it right before you go to bed. The scent of lavender is enough to calm your senses in preparation for sleep. But, did you know that the benefits of this lovely herb goes way beyond just helping you to relax?

To help you get a better idea, we’ve come up with a list of some of the best reasons why lavender is such an essential herb in your beauty routine. Below are some fun facts that may change your view on this simple flower forever.

1. It reduces acne

Lavender is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, which means that it helps to kill bacteria that causes acne, and heals the skin so that your breakouts don’t leave any scars behind. The overall effects would result in a clearer and smoother complexion, since redness and blotchiness will also be reduced. Simply dab a few drops of lavender essential oil onto your skin problems, and watch the magic happen. If you need a cure for cuts or burns, lavender will help greatly as well.

2. It detoxifies the skin

Lavender also contains antioxidants that help to combat the effects of pollutants on the skin, leaving your skin healthy and smooth as the days go by. With the increasing amount of environmental toxins in the atmosphere, it is becoming more and more important to detox your body and skin daily, and what better way than with the wonderful scent of lavender?

3. It soothes irritation

If you have sensitive skin that erupts in rashes or eczema from time to time, lavender essential oil may just be the cure to your skin woes. It can also help to reduce itching and swelling caused by insect bites, so a small bottle of this powerful oil will always come in handy. However, do take note that some skin types do react negatively to lavender, so it is important to test it out first if you’re using it for the first time.

4. It tones your skin

Have you ever wondered why there are so many toners out there that make use of the properties of lavender to boost their toning effects? This herb in fact helps to boost circulation so that your skin receives all the nutrients it needs more efficiently, resulting in firmer and younger-looking skin. You can easily make your own lavender toner at home as well. Steep some fresh lavender flowers in boiled water for a few hours, drain the water and keep it in the refrigerator to chill. Pour or spray some of this lavender water onto a cotton pad and dab it onto your face to keep your skin refreshed and hydrated. Simple, effective and smells amazing!

5. It helps you sleep

Insomnia or a lack of good sleep can be a serious beauty problem to many people, causing puffy eyes or wrinkles in the long term. If you find it difficult to sleep, try adding a few lavender flowers in your room, or invest in a lavender oil fragrance for your home. Lavender is known to soothe the nervous system, thereby causing your brain to relax and ensuring you sleep better. The calming effect of lavender is the main reason why it is so often used in aromatherapy and massages.

6. It cures anxiety and depression

Since lavender is extremely calming on the nerves, it is no wonder that people have found the scent of lavender to be useful when treating anxiety or depression as well. Lavender helps people to relax, think clearer and maintain overall mental health without any additional side effects, which is why it is constantly being used in herbal remedies to treat similar symptoms.

7. It treats hair loss

By now, you might be a little surprised as to the wide range of benefits lavender provides, but we’re far from done. If you thought lavender essential oil could only be used to treat the skin, boy are you wrong. Since we know now that lavender increases blood circulation and helps to relax the nerves, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it aids in the reduction of hair fall as well. Insomnia and anxiety are one of the most common causes of hair loss, which is why massaging your scalp with lavender essential oil can make a huge difference to your hair health.

8. It gets rid of dandruff

People with dry and itchy scalps, you’ve found your cure. Lavender reduces irritation and provides moisture, which means you can bid farewell to embarrassing dandruff that just doesn’t seem to go away. Since lavender is gentle and natural, it acts as a much more effective solution compared to shampoos that are filled with chemicals. Try it for yourself today!

9. It relieves headaches

Headaches and migraines are part and parcel of life, but can be extremely annoying if you have to focus on a task and get things done. Lavender essential oil can assist in this problem. Simply massage some oil onto your temples, forehead and neck to encourage muscle and nerve relaxation. You’ll realise after a while that your headaches will be gone, or greatly reduced.

10. It aids in digestion

Drinking lavender tea is an amazing way to prevent indigestion, since it soothes the lining of the digestive tract and stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile. Doing this will eliminate symptoms of constipation, stomachaches and diarrhoea as well. After which, you will be ensured a good night’s rest of peaceful sleep.

It may seem as if the benefits of lavender are too good to be true. However, it is a herb that has proven its worth, and has helped so many people all over the world with their needs. If it works for others, it wouldn’t do you any harm to try it out for yourself, would it?

Dione Chen

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