10 Great Summer Uses for Lavender Essential Oils (with recipes!)

Lavender essential oil is so soothing and relaxing, it is a must have for summer, especially if you have trouble sleeping. It's calming, soothing and works amazing to help you unwind and rest. But Lavender uses and benefits don't stop with sleep, there are so many uses, we are sharing just a few.

Sunburns:

This time of year, everyone should have a bottle of Spark Naturals Lavender essential oil to help with sunburns. Of course, prevention is better than cure, but here's a simple recipe for after-sun spray with Lavender EO:

Simple After-Sun Spray
-2oz Spark Naturals Rose Water
-18-20 drops Spark Naturals Lavender

Mix in a 2 oz blue glass spray bottle, adding the EOs first and filling to the top with Rose Water.

Cleaning:

Lavender has many beneficial properties for cleaning, including being antibacterial and antiseptic.

Lavender Cleaning Solution:
Make a simple cleaning solution by filling a spray bottle 3/4 full of water, putting a squirt or two of Eco-friendly soap (such as Castile) and 5-15 drops of SN Lavender EO. Spray and wipe for a nontoxic clean!

Cuts & Scrapes:

Lavender's name comes from the Latin word lavare, meaning "to wash." This rings true for many uses of Lavender due to its many beneficial properties. Try this recipe for cuts & scrapes below or use Lavender oil alone - this is a must-have for summer first aid!

Cuts and Scrapes Blend:
-50 drops Spark Naturals Lavender essential oil
-50 drops Spark Naturals Melaleuca essential oil
-10 drops Spark Naturals Helichrysum essential oil (optional)

Combine in an empty bottle with an orifice reducer. To use, put 10 drops of the Blend in water and use to clean the cut. Rub a drop or two of the mix on the unbroken skin around the scrape. You can also place a drop of the mix on the dressing part of the band-aid.

Canker Sores:

Canker sores are a modern plague and there are so many causes! Since Lavender has antibacterial and analgesic properties, applying Spark Naturals Lavender EO to canker sores can be very helpful! If you're looking for an easy way to reduce the pain and promote faster healing, try this: put 1-2 drops SN Lavender EO on a cotton swab 3-4 times per day.

Allergies:

Allergies are the worst! I struggle every time I cut our grass. Inhaling Spark Naturals Lavender or putting a few drops in water can be a fantastic help in reducing allergy symptoms. Combine in equal parts with Lemon and Peppermint for a more potent blend - or use our ready-made LLP Blend!

Minor insect stings & bites:

I remember visiting northern Ontario during my childhood summers. It was fun, but the mosquitoes were the worst! To relieve stinging or itching, apply 1-2 drops of Spark Naturals Lavender EO directly to the site. You can also blend Nature Outdoor Blend with Patchouli and Lavender and use 1-2 drops directly on the bite. For a more cooling effect, add 1 drop of Peppermint EO to Lavender EO (some skin is sensitive to Peppermint EO, so dilute as necessary with Lavender EO and/or a carrier oil).

Bedtime for kids & adults:

Lavender is famous for its calming and soothing properties. After an exciting summer day, Lavender oil can be the perfect way to unwind! Using Spark Naturals Lavender EO with a foot massage or putting a few drops in a bath can be a wonderful addition to your bedtime routine.

Refreshing toner for blemish-prone skin:

Lavender is oil-balancing, soothing and antibacterial, so it is a perfect ingredient for toner, especially for those of us with acne-prone skin. Lavender also promotes healthy skin regeneration, so it is a classic EO for skin health. With rising summer temperatures and sun exposure, Lavender can also support the body in recovering from sunburn and leave you feeling refreshed!

Lavender-Witch Hazel toner:
-20 drops Spark Naturals Lavender EO
-2 oz Spark Naturals Witch Hazel

Shake to combine and before each use. If you want even more beneficial properties, reduce the Witch Hazel to 1oz and add 1 oz Spark Naturals Rose Water.

Summer Hair Care:

It's no secret that summer presents a number of challenges to healthy hair and scalps: chlorine in swimming pools, salt water, and lots of sun exposure. Spark Naturals Lavender EO has many beneficial properties that can help you boost your hair and scalp health, especially if you have a sensitive, mature, or dandruff-prone scalp. Simply add a few drops of Lavender and Rosemary EO to your shampoo, or do the following oil treatment:

-2 T Spark Naturals FCO or other carrier oil
-20 drops Spark Naturals Lavender EO
-10 drops Spark Naturals Lemongrass or Rosemary EO

Combine in a glass bottle with a dropper. If desired, warm slightly and then massage into scalp and then through the length of hair. Leave in hair for at least 30 minutes or overnight and then wash out.

Lavender Lemonade:

To finish off on a delicious note, have you ever tried making a refreshing lavender lemonade? Try the recipe below:

-1 gallon water
-2 cups sugar
-2 cups fresh lemon juice
-1/2 cup fresh lime juice
-2-4 drops Spark Naturals Lavender EO, to taste

Bring the water and sugar to a boil; make sure that the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Stir in the juice and SN Lavender EO. Serve chilled or with ice.

Happy summer!