Essential oils have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their many uses and benefits not only for our physical and emotional well-being, but also for their use in various industrial settings. These oils, which are usually extracted from plants, flowers and the fruits themselves, are highly concentrated substances with unique properties.
They are often extracted by various methods, such as pressing, steam distillation, extraction with volatile solvents, etc. The most commonly used method, however, is pressing, whereby the plant materials are squeezed by mechanical means to collect the oil and filter it to obtain its essential components.
Of course, among the most prominent types is undoubtedly lavender oil, which is known for its soothing properties and its versatility in medicinal and cosmetic applications, and even for making cleaning products, perfumes and air fresheners. For this reason, in this article, we are going to explain in depth what lavender oil is, what its properties are and the many benefits it offers. Read on if you want to find out more about them or visit our website, Trufalia, to buy lavender oil of excellent quality.
What is lavender oil?
Lavender oil is extracted from the flowers of the lavender plant, scientifically known as Lavandula angustifolia. This type of essential oil is one of the most widely used in aromatherapy due to its mild, floral aroma, which provides a sense of calm and well-being. For this reason, it is often used in perfumes, air fresheners and cleaning products. After all, this substance is extracted from one of the most popular flowers in existence because of its pleasant, light scent that most people like.
But what exactly is lavender oil? If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, we’re going to put your mind at rest. It is a concentrated liquid obtained by steam distillation of the lavender flowers themselves. Throughout this process, we manage to collect the volatile and aromatic compounds of the plant, resulting in an oil that gathers the properties of the flowers of this plant.
Lavender oil is known for its relaxing properties and, as we have mentioned, it is a common ingredient in personal care products, such as lotions, creams and balms, but also in cleaning products, perfumes, air fresheners, etc.
What are the properties of lavender oil?
Lavender oil has a wide range of therapeutic properties that make it stand out from other essential oils. Among the main properties of lavender oil, we must undoubtedly highlight its calming and relaxing effects, which makes it one of the most popular remedies to combat stress and anxiety.
But we should also not forget that this type of essential oil has certain anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which makes it useful for relieving muscle and joint pain. Thanks to these properties, it is a substance that is often used to soothe insect bites, minor burns, small wounds and to reduce symptoms related to acne, rosacea, eczema and certain types of psoriasis.
This substance is also known for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties, making it effective in treating skin infections and preventing the proliferation of bacteria and fungi on the skin. Finally, lavender oil has antioxidant properties, which helps to fight free radicals and protect the skin from premature ageing.
Benefits of lavender oil
Thanks to its properties, the benefits of lavender oil are numerous and extensive, as they cover different areas, such as mental health care or the treatment of certain skin problems, as we have already mentioned in the previous section. Here are some of the most outstanding benefits of this type of essential oil.
Stress and anxiety reduction
One of the most recognised benefits of lavender oil is undoubtedly its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. The scent of lavender can have a calming effect on the nervous system, helping to reduce heart rate and blood pressure.
Many people use lavender oil in aromatherapy sessions or to relax after a stressful day before bed to improve the quality of sleep. As such, lavender oil is a popular natural remedy for insomnia and other sleep disorders. Its addition in air fresheners can facilitate relaxation and induce deeper, more restful sleep.
Relief of physical pain
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, lavender oil is often used to relieve muscle, joint and headaches. It can be applied diluted on the skin with other neutral oils to massage the affected areas or its scent can be inhaled as an air freshener to relieve headaches and migraines.
Skin health care
The properties of lavender oil also include benefits for the skin. As mentioned above, lavender oil can help treat minor burns, insect bites and other skin irritations due to its antimicrobial, soothing, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. In addition, its antioxidant properties can help reduce the signs of aging and improve the skin’s appearance, which is why it is often added as an ingredient in anti-ageing tonics, creams and serums.
May alleviate some mental health problems
In addition to its physical benefits, lavender oil can also be helpful in alleviating some mild mental health problems. In fact, it has been shown that its scent can help improve mood and alleviate certain symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Applications in household cleaning products
Beyond the health benefits of lavender oil, we can also highlight its use in household cleaning products. In fact, it can be added to cleaning products to disinfect surfaces and to leave a fresh, pleasant scent. It is therefore often used in air fresheners, floor cleaners, soaps, etc.
