Lavender essential oil is derived from sweetly scented lavender blossoms. This medicinal plant has a variety of uses but is commonly used as a cure for skin ailments such as wrinkles, acne, boils, psoriasis, burns and other inflammations. Lavender is also used by alternative care practitioners to aid in the healing of wounds, cuts, bug bites and sunburns. Lavender's health benefits are largely attributed to its powerful antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties.
Function
The essential lavender oil used in a lavender tonic is effective as a treatment for acne because its anti-inflammatory properties are easily absorbed by skin tissue, ensuring a reduction in skin swelling and soreness. In addition, anti-microbial elements work gently and quickly to eradicate infection. The regular use of a mild lavender tonic provides a soothing barrier of powerful healing essential oil to prevent further breakouts while healing damaged skin for a more balanced complexion.
Types of Lavender Tonics
Lavender essential oil can be administered to areas of acne through several methods. Lavender essential oil can be dropped directly into warm bathwater to provide a tonic soak for large areas of skin. When mixed with purified water, lavender essential oil can be used to mist the face for increased hydration, to calm the skin and to reduce the opportunities for acne to surface. Lavender buds soaked in olive oil, which is high in essential fatty acids easily absorbed by the skin, create a balancing skin tonic that is perfect for all skin types to promote optimal skin tone, hydration and reduction in blemishes and natural oil imbalances; simply apply three drops of lavender-infused oil to freshly washed skin twice a day. Essential oils should always be kept away from pets and children to reduce the risk of toxic ingestion.
Effects of Lavender Tonics on Acne Boils
Using a lavender tonic to treat acne boils is a great way to reduce a boil's associated swelling and pain. The antiseptic properties in lavender essential oil work deep within a boil to reduce pain while the anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling and heat. Lavender essential oil can be used without a carrier oil when dealing with a boil. Always check with a doctor when caring for a boil to reduce your chance of blood infection.
Preventing Acne with a Lavender Tonic
Skin care becomes affordable when a homemade lavender tonic is used. To create a tonic, add a handful of dried calendula flowers to 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil. Allow the flowers to sit in the olive oil with a lid for two weeks. Strain the plant material from the calendula-infused oil and add 20 drops of lavender essential oil. Apply 3 to 4 drops of the oil to freshly washed facial skin twice a day to enjoy clear skin and improved skin tone.
Warning
As with many other essential oils, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender essential oil unless advised otherwise by their care-giver. It is also recommended that diabetics use caution when using lavender oil due to complications with circulation. Though lavender oil is considered to be one of the most gentle of all essential oils, it may cause allergic reactions or rashes for people with sensitive skin. Some people may also experience nausea, vomiting or headaches when using lavender oil.
References
- Organic Facts.net: Health Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil
- "Healing Wise"; Susan Weed; 2003
- "The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicine"; Matthew Wood; 1997
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