There are many ways to use lavender to heal. Lavender essential oil promotes faster healing of minor burns and wounds when applied topically thanks to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties.
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Heal and Soothe Skin with the Powers of Lavender
With its clean floral scent and impressive resume of therapeutic benefits, lavender is a nurturing natural remedy for various skin conditions. Beyond its superficial beauty, using lavender essential oil can aid in faster healing of wounds, burns, and infections thanks to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Lavender also soothes inflammatory skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis while balancing overactive sebum production that clogs pores.
Follow along to discover how topical lavender treats common skin ailments as proven by research. We’ll cover safe dilution and usage tips for sensitive skin. Explore recipes for custom DIY skin care products harnessing lavender’s botanical healing powers. Whether you grow it yourself or buy pure oils, harnessing homegrown lavender helps heal your skin’s irritations and keep it glowing with good health from the outside in.
Lavender to heal Burns and Wounds
Studies demonstrate lavender speeds the healing of minor burns and wounds:
• Lavender oil decreased burn wound size and improved antioxidant status in rat studies.
• In humans, lavender oil accelerated wound healing and enhanced cell growth at burn sites.
• Lavender oil reduced pain and urgency of dressing changes in wound and burn sites.
• Lavender baths enhance skin barrier function around ostomy sites prone to damage.
• Compresses with lavender oil increased collagen deposition during wound repair in mice.
Lavender’s anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, and pain-relieving properties accelerate the body’s natural healing abilities.
Lavender to heal Skin Infections
Due to potent antimicrobial effects, lavender treats bacterial and fungal skin infections:
• Essential oil inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in lab tests.
• Lavender oil exhibited antifungal effects against candida strains in hospital patients.
• Compresses with lavender oil enhanced the healing of wound infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• Inhibited biofilm production by strains causing skin infections like impetigo and cellulitis.
• Effective against dandruff and scalp infections caused by the fungus Malassezia.
With supervised use, lavender helps treat and prevent recurrent fungal or bacterial skin infections without promoting resistance.
Using Lavender to heal Eczema and Psoriasis
For inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, lavender helps soothe irritation:
One-month lavender skin cream regimen reduced eczema severity by 60% versus placebo cream in 120 patients.
Psoriasis patients experienced decreased itching and scaling with daily lavender oil use.
Reduced allergic dermatitis reaction in mice when applied to skin inflammation sites.
Lavender oil exhibited anti-inflammatory activity on human skin cells in lab tests.
Balancing effects on immune responses makes it effective for overly reactive skin inflammation.
With regular use, lavender relieves inflammatory skin disorder symptoms without the side effects of steroid treatments.
Lavender for Acne Prone Skin
For oily, acne-prone skin, lavender balances sebum production:
• Combined with tea tree oil, lavender gel reduced acne lesions by over 50% in 12 weeks versus placebo.
• Lavender tones down inflammation causing acne while controlling excess sebum and bacteria growth.
• Compounds prevent the overgrowth of P. acnes bacteria that aggravate acne flare-ups.
• Lavender-infused skin cream reduced acne-associated anxiety and improved self-esteem in patients.
• Hydrating effects make it suitable for balancing combination skin types.
With regular application, lavender regulates acne-causing factors without the harsh abrasive effects of chemical treatments.
DIY Lavender Skin Care Recipes
Enjoy the benefits of lavender with these easy homemade recipes:
• Calming bath soak – 4-6 drops lavender oil mixed into warm bathwater.
• Healing skin serum – Infuse aloe vera gel with lavender oil in a roller bottle.
• Balancing facial toner – Add lavender hydrosol to witch hazel in a spray bottle.
• Soothing body lotion – Mix lavender oil into your favourite plain lotion.
• Deep pore treatment – Combine bentonite clay and lavender oil into a paste.
• Gentle makeup remover – Shake lavender oil with olive oil and coconut oil.
• Anti-itch relief – Make a cold compress using diluted lavender oil.
• Lip balm – Melt down coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter and add lavender oil.
• Antiseptic wash – Add a few drops of lavender oil to Castile soap.
Get creative crafting custom products to address your unique skin needs!
Safely Using Lavender Oil Topically
To avoid skin sensitivity, always dilute lavender oil properly:
• Perform a patch test on a small area first to check for reactions before wider use.
• Dilute with a carrier oil like coconut, almond, or jojoba before applying to the skin.
• Aim for 1% – 2% lavender oil concentration in any homemade products.
• Spot test concentration on a small area and increase strength slowly as tolerated.
• Avoid direct sunlight on the skin for 24 hours after applying oils due to photosensitivity.
• Discontinue use if irritation occurs and wash the oil off.
• Use only therapeutic grade, organic, pure essential oil.
• Never apply undiluted oil directly on the skin.
Properly diluted lavender oil is very well tolerated while providing skin healing benefits.
When to Seek Medical Treatment
See your doctor for:
• Burns, wounds, or infections not healing after 1-2 weeks of self-treatment. May require prescription antibiotic ointment.
• Eczema or psoriasis flare-ups spreading or intolerable itching/pain. May need steroid creams or oral medications.
• Sudden acne worsening with painful cysts or nodules. Indicates infection needing special treatment.
• Any rashes, hives, or swelling spreading after applying lavender products, indicate allergy. Stop use.
• Chronic skin disorders worsen or do not improve with over-the-counter lavender products after 1 month.
Do not attempt to replace medical treatment with lavender oil for rapidly worsening skin issues, infections, or allergic reactions. But for minor concerns, try lavender first since it often effectively and gently relieves symptoms.
Growing Lavender for Skin Remedies
Lavender offers benefits for homemade skin care:
• Harvest and dry buds to create antiseptic compresses and bath soaks.
• Craft diluted lotions, serums, and creams using your own infused oil.
• Control growing conditions to avoid pesticides or adulterants.
• Know peak potency time from garden to harvest
• Experiment with different lavender species’ effects.
• Customise formulations for your skin type.
• Save money versus buying pre-made products.
• Enjoy gardening as stress-relieving therapy for skin issues like eczema.
With ample blooms, you can craft a medicine cabinet full of healing lavender skin salves.
Conclusion
The beauty of lavender for the skin lies in its gentle nature yet impressive efficacy against common irritations, wounds, and infections. As a non-toxic plant compound, lavender often succeeds where harsh medicated creams and chemical antiseptics fail or cause unwanted reactions. Yet do not underestimate lavender’s potency just because it comes from a plant. Used properly and therapeutically, studies continue confirming lavender’s ability to combat some of the toughest bacterial strains while reducing inflammatory skin disorder symptoms.
But besides the science, the simple act of anointing skin with diluted lavender oil also provides the soothing sensory experience of well-being. Its familiar fresh scent and cooling touch offer comfort when skin ails. As you gently massage in, visualize the lavender molecules penetrating on a cellular level to speed healing. Discover in lavender not just healing powers but a mindfulness ritual to care for your largest organ. Soon, its aromatic floral wisdom will transform skincare from harsh prescription regimens into a nourishing act of self-care from garden to skin.
I hope you have enjoyed this guide on using lavender to heal.
