Lavender’s antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties have been proven in numerous studies.  There are also many studies that have confirmed its effectiveness as a mild antidepressant and anti anxiety remedy.  Here are a few ways to use this amazing oil that you might not have thought of:

Calming

• To relieve anxiety, depression, emotional stress, and exhaustion, rub 2-3 drops in your hands and inhale deeply to draw the scent into the emotional center of your brain.  Then rub on feet, temples, back of the neck.  Or add a few drops to your tub to help you unwind after a long day.

Sleep aid

• Spray your pillow with lavender hydrosol or add a few drops to your diffuser to fill your room with the calming scent of lavender.
• Apply a few drops to the bottom of your feet.

Skin care 

• With its antibacterial and antiseptic properties, lavender essential oil aids in the healing of minor burns, cuts, and scrapes.
• It also reduces skin irritation from insect bites or eczema,

Hair care

• Add a few drops to your shampoo to help eliminate dandruff.  
• Rub a few drops into your scalp regularly to help prevent hair  loss.  A 2016 study found that lavender oil applied to mice made them grow more and thicker hair faster than normal.

Motion sickness or nausea

• Place a drop of lavender essential oil behind your ears to alleviate symptoms

Eliminating Odors

• Add lavender to a diffuser or spray lavender hydrosol to give your rooms a clean, fresh smell. Also works well for your car.
• Add a few drops to a clean cloth and add to your dryer.
• Add a few drops to your mop water.
• Add a few drops to the inside of a toilet paper roll.  The scent will be released every time someone unrolls toilet paper

Insect repellant

• Add a few drops to a candle and place on your outdoor patio for a mosquito repellent.  A 2009 study comparing the repellant properties of several different ingredients found that the linalool in lavender repelled mosquitos 4 times better than citronella.  The most effective distribution was through a diffuser.
• Mix 5-6 drops of lavender oil into water in a spray bottle and spray onto your skin or clothes.
• Put a few drops on your dog or cat bed as a natural flea repellent

Sources:
The Lavender Lovers Handbook by Sarah Berringer Bader;
Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar​

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All Purpose Cleaner with Lavender

(Adapted From Mother Earth Living)

• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon borax
• Distilled or purified water
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

1. Mix vinegar and borax in a 16-ounce glass bottle. Fill the bottle 3/4 full with hot water. Shake until borax is dissolved.

2. Add the soap, essential oil and lemon juice. Shake well.