It's true - lavender is a classic scent beloved by many! Along with its soothing floral notes, it comes along with multiple health benefits. Wondering if lavender is really all that it's hyped up to be? Then you've come to the right place! Here are five reasons you should have this flower-based fragrance in your home.
A Step Back in Time
Tracing back its origins to regions like Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East, lavender has been grown and cultivated for almost 2500 years. Used for an array of purposes both cosmetic and medicinal - its legacy continues today. Associated with the words purity, peace, and grace, lavender has now become a staple ingredient in products such as candles, essential oils, cleansing materials, and herbal medicine. With its subtle sweet smell and therapeutic properties, it’s no surprise lavender continues to be loved by many.
5 Benefits of Lavender
From hot tea to a sweet-scented candle and everything in between, lavender has a special way of creating balance. Here are some of the ways we enjoy it most.
Rest Easy
With its natural sedative properties, the smell of lavender calms the body and releases pent-up stress that may be keeping you from drifting off to sleep. When inhaled, lavender has been scientifically proven to slow your mind that help you enter deep sleep (Goel, Kim, & Lao 2005, 895). Simultaneously reducing alpha waves during the wake-stage, it also lessens the likelihood of you experiencing a restless night.
Find A Sense of Calm
If you feel like your mind won’t stop spinning - lavender might just be what you’re looking for. By interacting with the brain's neurotransmitter known as GABA, lavender helps lessen anxiety, rage, and aggressiveness (Lee 2020). In fact, in a study conducted in 2012 by the J. Medical Association in Thailand, researchers found that lavender has soothing properties that can increase levels of sensory awareness, reduce feelings of anxiety and promote a general sense of well-being. So the next time you’re feeling down or unbalanced, try lighting a lavender candle or using aromatherapy to calm your mind.
Reduce The Effects of Migraines
With headaches and migraines often comes a lack of focus, lower levels of productivity, and an overall sense of discomfort. While modern medicine does wonders, some medical professionals suggest complementary treatments with natural herbs to reduce their intensity and frequency (Sasannejad et al. 2012, 290). With their calming effects, aromatherapy and lavender-infused candles are a strong contender for moments of distress.
Improve Your Memory
Did you know that lavender can improve your memory and other aspects of cognitive wellness? In fact, growing data suggests that lavender may be used to relieve the effects of neurological disorders by protecting your nervous system (Koulivand, Ghadiri & Gorji 2013, 3). While these studies are still ongoing, its neuroprotective potential is something to keep an eye out for!
Soothe PMS Symptoms
Along with the health advantages discussed above, lavender can positively impact the parasympathetic nervous system. Working alongside your body’s system for relaxation, lavender can help improve your mood and reduce menstrual pains, allowing you to continue doing what you do best.
Parting Words
There are plenty of different ways to infuse lavender into your daily life and reap the benefits of this soothing and calming herb. With its combination of lavender and cranberry, our personal favorite is our Palmetto Row Candle. Don’t forget to check it out here! However, if you are looking to learn more about their medical properties, make sure to consult a certified medical professional to see if it is the right fit for you.
Comment below and let us know what your favorite reason to have lavender around!
In Love With All Things Fragrance,
Reference:
Koulivand, P. H., Khaleghi Ghadiri, M., & Gorji, A. “Lavender and the nervous system. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013: 1-10.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/
Goel N, Kim H, Lao RP. “An olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and women.” Chronobiology International 22, 5 (2005): 889
Lee, Dr Deborah.“Can lavender aid those who struggle with insomnia?.” Open Access Government: Health and Social Care News, 2020. https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/aromatherapy-can-lavender-aid-those-who-struggle-with-insomnia/91028/
Sasannejad, P., Saeedi, M., Shoeibi, A., Gorji, A., Abbasi, M., & Foroughipour, M. European neurology, 67, 5 (2012): 288
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