Ingredient Focus
Lavender: Benefits, Uses and Why It Helps You Sleep
Lavender is the most loved scent in wellbeing, and for good reason. Here is an honest look at what it does, and how to use it.
If there is one scent that says calm, it is lavender. It has been used for centuries, from Roman baths to grandmothers' linen drawers, and it remains the first thing most of us reach for when we want to relax. But what is behind the reputation, and how do you actually get the best from it? Here is a simple, honest guide.
Why Lavender Is So Loved
Lavender's magic is in its scent. That soft, herbaceous, slightly sweet aroma is widely experienced as calming and reassuring, which is why it turns up everywhere from bath products to pillow sprays. It is gentle, it pairs beautifully with other scents like chamomile, and most people simply find it comforting. Sometimes that is reason enough.
What Lavender Can Do
Lavender is best known as a scent for relaxation and rest. Many people find it helps them unwind at the end of the day, settle a busy mind, and ease into a bedtime routine. It is worth being honest about what it is, and is not, though.
- Relaxing and unwinding
- A calming bedtime routine
- Soothing, warm baths
- Bringing a comforting scent to a room
- A sedative or sleeping pill
- A medical treatment
- A cure for insomnia
- A replacement for good sleep habits
We go deeper into the research on lavender and rest in our piece on whether lavender really helps you sleep.
How to Use Lavender at Home
The loveliest way to enjoy lavender is to weave it through an evening. Soak in it, mist it, breathe it in, and let it become your cue to slow down.
Curious about the other oils we use? Explore them all in the Ingredient Garden, or find your perfect scent with our guide to which essential oil is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does lavender help you sleep?
Lavender is one of the most widely valued scents for relaxation, and many people find it a soothing part of a bedtime routine. It is not a sedative, but its calming aroma can help create the right conditions for rest.
How do I use lavender at home?
Add lavender bath salts to a warm bath, mist your pillow and room before bed, light a lavender candle in the evening, or rest a lavender-scented eye pillow over your eyes as you relax.
Is lavender safe to use?
Lavender is one of the gentler essential oils and is widely enjoyed. As with any essential oil, use it as directed, keep it away from the eyes, and if you are pregnant or have a health condition, check with a professional first.
Bring a little calm to your evenings. Discover our lavender range for rest and relaxation.
Shop Lavender & SleepLaura Colucci is a yoga teacher and the creator of the Spritz Wellness range. You can find her classes and teaching at Laura Colucci Yoga.
