Lavender: a natural remedy for anxiety and insomnia

Lavender is a versatile and well-known herb used for its calming and soothing properties. You’ve probably smelled it at some point in your life, it’s a very good smell with many properties.

It’s considered a natural remedy, offering a gentle and effective alternative to synthetic medications, making it a good option to those who want an alternative to manage anxiety and insomnia.

In this article, let’s understand more about the subject and how you can use it for your own well-being.

Origin of a lavender

Lavender is a plant in the mint family, it’s a genus of 47 known species, common found on the Iberian Peninsula and around the Mediterranean.

This type of plant is usually used on dry floral arrangements, with purple flowers and a very well-known fragrant scent that comes from the oil that is commonly used in aromatherapy, culinary, cosmetics, and phytotherapy medicine.

Today, lavender is cultivated worldwide, with extensive lavender fields, that are such an eyesight, and of course, has a great smell.

In traditional herbal medicine, lavender has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including headaches, depression, and insomnia. Its calming and soothing properties have made it a staple in natural remedies for anxiety and sleep disorders.

How can it be used for anxiety and insomnia?

Lavender is widely recognized for its therapeutic benefits, especially in the treatment of insomnia and anxiety.

We brought some of the best benefits of lavender to these two conditions:

Anxiety

When we use lavender as an ally to treat anxiety we can find a lot of benefits, like the relaxing effect that has, reducing the feeling of nervousness and restlessness associated with anxiety.

Can reduce stress by the anxiolytic properties that help lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

It can also attenuate the symptoms from anxiety with a natural option, with less collateral effects than synthetic medicine. But it’s important to know that this isn’t a substitute for antidepressants and appointments with a psychiatrist.

Insomnia

Lavender is also a good herb to treat insomnia, the compounding has calming and sedative properties that help relax the body and mind, easing the preparation to your sleep.

It can be an option to extend your sleeping time and avoid waking up randomly during the night, consequently it will provide a repairing sleep and give you more disposition.

With a prolonged use you’ll see the good effects of it, like establishing a regular sleep pattern 

How to use lavender

Now that you already know what the lavender can do for your anxiety or insomnia, it’s important to know how to use it. This plant can be used in various forms to help alleviate the symptoms, here are some of the most effective methods:

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a practice that uses essential oils for therapeutic benefits, it’s a technique that has been used for centuries.

With aromatherapy the essential oil of lavender can be used in two different ways, through diffusion and inhalation. Both promoting relaxation and reducing stress, making it easier to fall asleep and stay calm.

Topical application

Topical application it’s another way to obtain the benefits of lavender, the essential oil can be used in massages and baths.

For the massage it’s important to dilute a few drops of lavender essential oil with coconut or jojoba oil and massage into the skin. And for the bath it’ll be necessary to add 10 drops to a warm bath.

Both of these ways can promote relaxation, relieve muscle tension and help with your sleep.

Oral Consumption

With teas, tinctures and supplements the lavender can also have a lot of effect on your symptoms.

The tea will help your nervous system to relax and prepare your body for a good night of sleep. And the tinctures and supplements will provide a big dose of concentrated compounding.

Pillow spray

People with insomnia must know this trick, first you’ll need to mix lavender essential oil with water in a spray bottle and mist into your pillow before you go to bed. If you are allergic to strong smells, you shouldn’t spray too much or too close to your bedtime, half an hour before should be enough.

The scent of lavender can help induce a state of relaxation and improve sleep quality.

Lavender sachets

If you don’t want to spray something on your pillow you can prepare lavender sachets, filled with dried lavender flowers under your pillow or near your bed. If you like the scent of this plant you can also put in your drawers to perfume your clothes or in purses.

The aroma will be more subtle and create a calming environment that will conduct an easier sleep.

By using lavender through these various methods, you can harness its natural properties to effectively manage anxiety and insomnia, promoting well-being and improving your sleep quality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lavender stands out as a remarkably versatile herb with a range of calming and soothing properties, making it a valuable ally for those seeking natural remedies for anxiety and insomnia. Its gentle approach offers a beneficial alternative to synthetic medications, with fewer side effects.

Lavender’s origins in the Mediterranean and its widespread cultivation around the world highlight its significance and popularity.

For managing anxiety, lavender’s relaxing effects and ability to reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels are particularly noteworthy. It provides a natural option for alleviating anxiety symptoms without the risks associated with conventional medications.

Similarly, its sedative properties make lavender an effective remedy for insomnia, promoting relaxation and helping to establish a regular sleep pattern.

Lavender can be utilized in several ways to enhance well-being. Aromatherapy, topical applications, oral consumption, and lavender sachets are all effective methods for leveraging its benefits.

Whether through essential oil diffusers, relaxing baths, or soothing pillow sprays, lavender’s calming aroma can significantly improve sleep quality and overall relaxation.

Incorporating lavender into your daily routine can offer significant benefits for managing anxiety and insomnia, fostering a more restful and balanced life.