12. Antibacterial and Antiviral Lavender
Lavender essential oil has excellent antibacterial and antiviral properties. Actually, duringWorld War I, nurses used lavender as an antibacterial.
When you apply it to scrapes, bruises, and stings, it can significantly reduce healing time. As it’s a relatively mild oil, it does not need a carrier oil.
A common way of applying lavender is directly on the skin. Recent studies have also shown that lavender oil is effective in killing both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. (17)
13. Lavender Oil and the Respiratory System
The next time you have a cough, cold or flu reach for the lavender. Lavender essential oil is commonly used for a variety of respiratory problems including throat infections, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, and tonsillitis.
Normally diffused as a vapor, you can also apply lavender oil to the skin of the neck, chest, and back.
Lavender essential oil works to loosen up the phlegm and relieve the congestion associated with respiratory conditions. It speeds up the recovery process and helps the body naturally eliminate phlegm and other unwanted material.
14. Lavender Oil Balances Hormones
Lavender oil is a must for women. Its extensive list of beneficial properties includes helping balance hormones, providing pain relief, easing menstrual cramps, as well as improving sign of hormonal imbalance such as increased feelings of stress and depression, emotional imbalance, stomach aches, and headaches (18).
To lessen symptoms, all you need to do is put a drop of the oil on your palms, rub them together, and inhale for 10 minutes. Feel free to consume lavender lemonade or tea for an internal boost.