9 Everyday Uses for Our Favorite Essential Oil (Hint: It’s Lavender)

If I had to name my favorite essential oil, it would most definitely be lavender. Not only do I absolutely adore its fresh aroma, but it’s also one of the most useful essential oils. For haircare to headaches, there are so many ways to use lavender every day. I add it to most (if not all!) of the blends I make and find myself reaching for it again and again.

I love that it’s essentially a natural medicine kit in and of itself and that it’s safe enough to use on each member of my family—children included! It’s an incredibly complex and fascinating essential oil that also happens to be beneficial to use in most situations – everything from healing burns to helping you fall asleep faster.

9 Everyday Uses for Lavender Essential Oil

Truly, the sky’s the limit as far as how you can utilize lavender. However, today I’m going to share with you just a few of the many ways that lavender can be used every day.

1. For Anxiety & Tension

Lavender is well-known for its calmative properties and usefulness when dealing with stress and anxiety. It’s often used in anti-anxiety blends, as well as other products formulated to help reduce tension. In the past, preparations made from the herb were the go-to option for any issues dealing with nervous tension.

If you’re having a particularly stressful day, diffuse some lavender and spend a few minutes enjoying its calming and relaxing aroma, or simply mix a few drops in a cup of Epsom salts and enjoy a nice, long bath. I promise you won’t regret it! 

2. To Promote Sleep

Lavender also contains sedative properties. Not only can it help ease stress and tension, it can also encourage a good night’s rest. While there are several things you can do to promote better quality sleep, utilizing essential oils is one of the simplest and most pleasurable ways you can do it!

Diffusing lavender at bedtime or using it in a linen spray is a great way to not only make the room and sheets smell utterly fantastic, but it’s also a good way to help you fall asleep faster. You could also make a lavender honey mask before you go to bed to soothe your skin AND help you relax before bedtime—it’s a win-win! 

3. For Natural Skin Care

Lavender also happens to be useful when dealing with any number of skin problems. Cuts, burns, wounds, bug bites, sores, inflammation, you name it—all of these are issues for which lavender has traditionally been used. Due to its antiseptic properties, it is considered beneficial in fighting off infection and is a common ingredient in salves formulated to teat skin injuries.

Paired with calendula, lavender can make an effective all-purpose salve for various skin issues. Or mix three parts fractionated coconut oil with one part lavender essential oil in a small spray bottle or roll on to help clear up skin irritation associated with chafing or razor burn.

4. During an Illness

Due to its incredible normalizing properties, as well as its antibacterial compounds, lavender is particularly useful when dealing with illness. It is considered beneficial for dealing with a myriad of illnesses, according to Robert Tisserand’s The Art of Aromatherapy, including some digestive issues, the flu, coughs, infections, and more.

Additionally, because it contains calmative and sedative properties, it can promote a restful environment for the sick individual. To help keep sickness as bay, try this DIY hand sanitizer recipe. 

5. For Cleaning

Lavender contains potent antimicrobial properties that make it useful when fighting off germs. For this reason, it is often used in cleaning recipes for air-purifying blends, cleaning formulas, and laundry detergents.

Combined with other antimicrobial essential oils, it makes a great option for purifying the air after someone has been sick. It also happens to be one of my favorite essential oils to use in homemade laundry detergents and DIY dryer sheets.   

6. For Headaches

Often paired with peppermint, lavender is considered to be one of the best essential oils for headaches. It’s commonly used when dealing with headaches due to nervous tension, as it can help promote a relaxed environment.

However, it’s also believed to be an effective pain reliever, as well. For use with headaches, diffuse lavender with other headache-relieving oils or apply topically in appropriate dilutions. 

7. For Natural Hair Care

Lavender is also beneficial for natural hair care formulations. Not only is it believed to stimulate hair growth, but it is also thought to help reduce hair loss—especially if it is due to stress. Additionally, due to its normalizing properties, lavender can also help support a healthy scalp, which in turn, can support healthy hair.

As an added bonus, it is also believed to deter lice! Next time your hair needs some TLC, give this DIY deep conditioner with olive oil and lavender a try! 

8. To Make Your Own Perfume

Lavender makes a wonderful personal fragrance. It’s a timeless scent that has been used in perfume and fragrance blends for centuries. With its distinct aroma it can be used on its own or paired with other essential oils for a unique custom blend.

I personally like to pair it with ylang ylang for a fresh, exotic fragrance. However, it also pairs nicely with citrus, florals, and earthy-smelling oils. As an added bonus, not only will your natural perfume smell delightful, it can help keep you calm throughout the day! Here’s a great guide to get you started on creating your own unique perfume. 

9. For Home Fragrance

Not only is lavender a great option for a personal fragrance, it’s also delightful when used to scent your home! I use lavender in almost all of my diffuser blends in the home, as well as in homemade room and linen sprays.

I love going to sleep on sheets that have been naturally scented with lavender and my guests do, too! Not only do the sheets smell wonderfully fresh, but with the relaxing aroma of lavender enveloping me as I climb into bed, I am able to relax and get to sleep faster.

Do you use lavender? If so, what are some of your favorite ways to utilize this incredible essential oil?