The Amazing Benefits of Lavender

Lavender is considered a nervous system tonic and is an excellent natural remedy for nervousness, anxiety, and depression. It has a host of healing properties that are useful for everyday health problems such as headaches – especially those associated with stress. For depression, anxiety, or general stress and tension, you can add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a carrier oil such as extra-virgin olive oil or jojoba oil and apply to various parts of the body like the temples, inside of the wrists and elbows, or the bottoms of the feet, to sooth.

Lavender is also ideal for promoting natural sleep because of its calming effect on the nervous system. You can put lavender flowers in your bedroom or place a few drops of lavender essential oil in a bath or on your pillow or bedsheets to help you relax and sleep restfully. Adding a few drops of lavender essential oil is to a diffuser also helps with anxiety and depression and relaxes the body to help you sleep.

In addition, externally, the oil can be used as a stimulating liniment to help aches and pains from inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, and other tissues.

Tea made from dried lavender flowers can help soothe digestive issues ranging from diarrhea to nausea and stomach cramps. The anti-inflammatory properties of lavender help soothe irritated stomach muscles, eliminating stomach pain. These same antispasmodic effects can help relieve indigestion, gas, and bloating.

For tea, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried lavender flowers and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Drink this tea three times a day.

Note: When using lavender oil or dried lavender flowers it is best to use organic oils, to avoid pesticides.