Lavender's gentle, soothing scent makes it popular for use in everything from laundry detergent to hand lotion. When you combine lavender's herbal properties of aromatherapy with the hair-restoring properties of nourishing oil, you create a relaxing experience that doubles as a beauty treatment. Over time, you may notice shinier, healthier hair.
Identification
Lavender is a long, slender herb cultivated for its fragrant purple blossoms and visual appeal. Classified under the genus "Lavandula," lavender is believed to have originated in the Mediterranean region. According to Ellen Spector Platt in "Lavender: How to Grow and Use the Fragrant Herb," Roman soldiers used lavender as a fragrance agent for bath water. As the soldiers traveled, they brought lavender to their territorial possessions, including England.
Lavender Essential Oil
The flowers, stems and leaves of the lavender flower all contain fragrant essential oil. Platt notes that it takes approximately 500 lbs. of lavender flowers to create 1-1/2 lbs. of lavender oil. The quality of the oil produced depends on the growing conditions for the flowers and the drying and harvesting methods of the manufacturer. Uses for lavender essential oil include massage, aromatherapy and commercial uses in perfumes, soaps and shampoos.
Medical Uses of Lavender
In addition to its uses for hair, lavender has many medicinal uses. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, lavender's soothing fragrance may slow down your nervous system. If you have trouble sleeping or suffer from anxiety, aromatherapy with lavender essential oil may help. Lavender's scent may also help treat headaches, control nerves and reduce pain following surgery. They also note that lavender oil has been used topically to treat eczema, acne and fungal infections.
Lavender Hair Oil
According to Janice Cox in "Natural Beauty for All Seasons," lavender oil performs three functions for hair: it deep conditions, restores shine and controls dandruff. She creates her own hair oil by steeping lavender steams and leaves in sunflower oil. (See Reference 3, p 175) In "Naturally Healthy Hair," author Mary Beth Janssen notes that you can also purchase lavender essential oil and add a few drops to your regular shampoo or conditioner.
Effective Hair Oil Use
According to Janssen, you should use hair oil before you shampoo. The hair oil loosens dead skin cells from your scalp, allowing them to be washed away when you rinse your hair. Hair oil can also help treat a dry, itchy scalp as well as an oily scalp. Because essential oils contain protein and fatty acids, they can also boost hair's strength and shine. If you have very dry or damaged hair, consider applying the essential oil at night and rinsing it out in the morning.
Hair Oil and Hair Growth
The University of Maryland Medical Center cites one study in which 86 people with alopecia areata massaged their scalps with essential oils, including lavender, every day for seven months. The study participants experienced more hair re-growth than a control group that massaged their scalps without any essential oil. However, the study did not test each oil specifically, so there's no way to know which oil spurred growth.
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