Freelance Lady: 10 Uses for Lavender Essential Oil + Scential Health Lavender Oil Review

Collecting essential oils is now a hobby of mine, as you may have realized from my past essential oils posts. I truly believe that these miracle oils are capable of healing—mentally, physically, and spiritually—and are a true Godsend, especially when used in combination with modern medicine.

Over the past several months, I've had the opportunity to review several oils from Scential Health, including Ylang Ylang, Cypress, Lemon, Grapefruit, and Frankincense.

Today, I am excited to review yet another Scential Health Essential Oil: Lavender.

* Product and/or service provided for review without cost. As always, all opinions are my own.

If you've done your research on essential oils, then by now you should know that lavender essential oil is one of the most versatile oils out there. In fact, it is one of the most widely used essential oils in the world.

Before I discuss my opinion of Scential Health Lavender Essential Oil, I'd like to present to you a brief history of lavender oil, as well as some common uses.

History of Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has been used medicinally and for religious purposes for over 2,500 years. It is believed that the ancient Egyptians used lavender essential oil during the mummification process and as a fragrant perfume. The Romans are thought to have used lavender oil during bathing and as an "air freshener."

Perhaps the most famous account of all, however, was when Mary used "nard" or "spikenard" (believed to have been made from lavender essential oil) to anoint baby Jesus.

Uses of Lavender Essential Oil

Being that it is one of the most widely used oils in the world, there are many uses associated with lavender essential oil today. Some of the possible uses are listed below.

Reduce Anxiety and Stress

Lavender essential oil has long been known to be relaxing, and as a result, has been used for therapeutic purposes for thousands of years.

To use essential oil for relaxation, dilute it with a carrier oil and apply to pulse points of the body (neck, wrists, behind ears, etc.) to help reduce anxiety and stress. Alternatively, you may diffuse the oil and/or inhale it to help relieve stress and anxiety.

Heal Burns and Other Minor Wounds

To help heal burns and other minor wounds, massage lavender oil on your skin after diluting it with a carrier oil.

You may apply it directly to the skin and massage it in using small circles, or you may apply it to a soft cloth and dab it onto the affected area.

Improve Sleep

Add a drop or two of lavender oil to your pillow case before bed to help induce a calm, relaxed state, ideal for sleep. You may also add a few drops of lavender oil to your nightly bath.

Restore Skin Complexion

For healthy, beautiful skin, apply diluted lavender oil directly to the skin and massage it in. Use daily to help restore skin complexion, being careful not to get the oil in the eyes.

Improve Eczema and Other Skin Conditions

Improve eczema and other skin conditions by massaging diluted lavender oil onto the affected areas. You may also add a drop or two to an all-natural, fragrance-free lotion to help alleviate the pain and itchiness associated with such skin disorders.

Alleviate Headaches

Dilute lavender oil with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil and add in a drop of lavender and a drop of frankincense. Apply directly to the temples and massage it in to help relieve headaches.

Natural Air Freshener

Use lavender essential oil in a diffuser to help add the fresh fragrance to the air in your home. This all-natural air freshener will help you to relax and unwind while keeping your home smelling lovely.

Relieve Muscle Aches

Massage, in small circles, diluted lavender essential oil directly to the affected areas (joints, muscles, etc.) to help relieve muscle aches and pains. The oil may also be blended with Frankincense.

Improve Hair Health

Keep your hair healthy with lavender essential oil by creating your own all-natural shampoo. According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (NMCB), lavender can treat hair loss and boost hair growth by up to 44 percent after only seven months of treatment.

You can create your own all-natural shampoo at home using lavender castile soap, distilled vinegar, coconut oil, lavender essential oil, and rosemary essential oil. For the full recipe and instructions, head on over to Premeditated Leftovers.

Keep Bugs Away

Last, but certainly not least, lavender oil can help keep those pesky bugs away during the warmer months. For centuries, lavender essential oil has been used as a bug repellent.

Create your own lavender essential oil spray using a few drops of oil and distilled water. Pour into a spray bottle, shake vigorously, and spritz directly onto the skin and clothing.

Review of Scential Health Lavender Essential Oil

As with all Scential Health oils, the lavender essential oil comes in a 15mL (.5 oz) bottle that features a dropper cap to seal in the oil but allow for easy dispensing. Scential Health's oils contain absolutely no fillers, bases, additives, or carrier oils. The oils are 100% pure and come in small, glass amber vials to prevent damage from sunlight. The label, while simple, is still pleasing and allows you to easily see which oil you're using.

Scential Health uses two extraction methods. According to their website:

Scential health oils are harvested and then steam distilled or cold pressed from the most pristine fields, orchards, and gardens around the world.

Head on over to Scential Health's website to learn more about where Scential Health's Essential Oils come from.

As with most of Scential Health's essential oils, my first impression with the lavender oil was a positive one. The scent is not overly sweet, like many would expect. The scent is actually herbaceous with a hint of floral undertones—as a true lavender essential oil should be. It is certainly a scent that I associate with an overall calm.

I use Scential Health Lavender Oil for migraines, to induce relaxation, and as a fragrance for my all-natural lotion after my showers.

When diluted with coconut oil and blended with a drop or two of Frankincense, lavender essential oil has proved to be an incredible remedy for my migraines. I have suffered from migraines for the past eight years and I know just how debilitating they can be. When I feel one coming on, I immediately head to my blend so that I can intercept and abort the migraine before it becomes too strong.

At the time of this post, Scential Health Lavender Essential Oil is on sale for $7.95. The price is subject to change, but the actual list price is $16.95, which is still affordable when compared to other essential oil brands on the market.