Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular essential oil used in aromatherapy. Lavender essential oils also finds uses in phototherapy and other alternative medicine related treatments. The benefits of lavender oil are particularly notable in case of stress. The key ingredient of lavender essential is linalool and linalyl acetate which are responsible for all its major medicinal usage.
Lavender oil and stress : what research says?
Lavender essential oil is found to be very effective in relieving stress, calming and relaxation. This has been proved by research that when lavender essential oil is aromatherapy the test subjects observed relaxation, low depression and increased drowsiness. These subjects performed simple mathematical calculations faster and more accurately in this relaxed state. It was observed that when exposed to lavender essential oil odour, the brain activity shifted from anxiety and excitement to calmness.
Lavender essential oil is also related to emotional responses especially – happiness. During research conducted on subjects, aromatherapy usage of lavender essential oil was found to improve mood and decrease anxiety levels. Sedative properties of enantiomers of linalool are also well researched and proved during this research.
Lavender essential oil also promotes sleep, it has been found to exert harmonising effect. Thus it has been found to help in insomnia and sleep related disorders. Another benefit of lavender oil is that it helps in headaches and migraines – this benefit is also related to its soothing properties.
Fight stress and anxiety using lavender oil
Stress has become part of our lives today, there is work stress, home stress, relationship stress, interview stress, exam stress etc. But there is a great way to cope up with this stress – lavender essential oil. Lavender oil is an amazing stress buster. It not only helps in chemical and physical stress but also mental stress. These stress very harmful effect on health of a person such as headache, insomnia, depression, anxiety, guilt, and many physical problems (heart, BP related) etc.
Lavender oil can be used in many ways, it can be used in aromatherapy massage, it can be used as a vapour (room scent), inhalation using steam water, etc.
Some useful lavender oil blends one can use to bust stress:
- Coping with interview stress: Use a blend of – Lavender (2 drops), grapefruit (8 drops), basil (5 drops) and bergamot (5 drops). Of this blend use 6 drops in your bath before the interview and then put 3 drops in your washcloth and rub it on your body inhaling the aroma as deeply as possible. This will calm you even if you are a very nervous and anxious person.
- Coping with exam stress – just before leaving for the exams, just put 2 drops of grapefruit and 1 drop of lavender oil in your bath. This will make sure you remain cool and calm while appearing for the exam.