Today, lavender oil is most commonly used to promote sleep, likely due to its relaxation-inducing properties—but there’s more to it than its calming scent. Lavender oil offers many surprising health benefits, from promoting cognitive function to curbing inflammation and chronic pain. To find out more about the ancient essential oil, we tapped an aromatherapist for five clinically-supported reasons to use lavender oil—beyond helping you fall asleep.
5 Surprising Health Benefits of Lavender Oil
Calms the Nervous System
While there are many natural ways to address an overstimulated nervous system, lavender oil falls high on the list. “Lavender isn’t just relaxing—it has a measurable effect on the central nervous system,” Sahai says. “It’s often used in treating stress-related illness because it supports parasympathetic balance and emotional resilience, and has been shown to encourage calmness and clarity, helping regulate the body’s stress response.” The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, rolling on some lavender oil can help your nervous system settle.
Soothes Pain and Discomfort
Inflammation is typically caused by chronic conditions, such as autoimmune diseases or short-term illnesses. And while lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and medications can all make significant improvements, lavender oil is a natural way to soothe some of the physical pain. “Clinical research has confirmed lavender’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, making it a strong natural ally for people dealing with muscular tension or menstrual discomfort,” Sahai says. “It not only reduces physical pain, but improves emotional tolerance to chronic conditions.”
Improves Migraine Outcomes
If you struggle with chronic headaches or migraines, lavender oil will be your new best friend. “A placebo-controlled clinical trial demonstrated that inhaling lavender essential oil significantly reduced both the severity and frequency of migraine attacks within 15 minutes,” Kahai says. Best of all, “unlike [certain] over-the-counter medication, it comes without side effects.” Plus, it’s easy to carry a small bottle of lavender oil to whip out when migraine symptoms begin to surface.
A study showed that lavender oil inhalation can help with memory performance improvement and other neurological enhancements. So go ahead and take a whiff of lavender the next time you’re studying for an exam or want to jog your memory.
Fights Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria
Lavender oil isn’t just calming—it’s also sterilizing, Sahai says. “Beyond calming and soothing, certain species, like Lavandula coronopifolia, have shown antibacterial activity even against drug-resistant strains, offering powerful, natural support for skin and wound care,” she explains. You can use lavender oil for antibacterial and antiseptic purposes, making it a powerful cleaning and healing agent.
Post time: May-17-2025