Lavender: Healing One Plant at a Time

Lavender was one of the very first herbs I ever started using, and I quickly fell in love with it. Several years ago, I became interested in essential oils and learning about their medicinal properties. That’s when I discovered how powerful lavender could be for minor burns—especially the ones I managed to get while cooking in the kitchen.

I remember applying lavender essential oil to a small burn and being amazed that the pain nearly disappeared within 30 minutes. From that moment on, I was officially hooked on lavender.

Not long after, I discovered it worked just as beautifully for stings as it did for burns. A couple of summers ago, my sister was stung by a wasp right under her nose. I told her to apply lavender essential oil, and within minutes she said the sting was barely noticeable. Her skin never became inflamed or angry-looking at all.

From personal experience alone, lavender earned a permanent place in my natural healing toolkit.

What Is Lavender?

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a member of the Lamiaceae family—more commonly known as the mint family.

The flowers are the most commonly used part of the plant. Lavender is widely known for its calming and stress-relieving effects, but it also contains natural compounds that give it a wide range of herbal actions, including:

• Neuroprotective

• Relaxing nervine

• Anxiolytic

• Antidepressant

• Antimicrobial / antiseptic

• Antispasmodic

• Anti-inflammatory

• Carminative (supports GI system - gas, bloating, and indigestion)

Common Uses of Lavender

Lavender is one of the most versatile herbs in herbal medicine and everyday wellness. Some of its most common uses include:

• Supporting restful sleep and helping with insomnia

• Relieving muscle tension

• Helping ease headaches

• Treating minor cuts, burns, stings, and bug bites

• Supporting skin health (including psoriasis and other skin conditions)

• Bath soaks to calm the nervous system and relax muscles

• Soothing indigestion, colic, gas, and bloating

• Supporting asthma symptoms through nervous system relaxation, especially when anxiety is present
  

Ways to Prepare and Use Lavender

Lavender is easy to work with and can be prepared in many different forms:

• Oil Infusions

  • Massage oils

  • Balms and salves

• Tinctures

• Teas

• Essential Oils

• Pillow Sachets for sleep and relaxation
  

Cautions

• Not recommended during pregnancy without consulting a qualified healthcare provider

• Do not ingest essential oils unless under medical supervision

• Always dilute essential oils before topical use

  
  

Lavender is more than just a beautiful plant in the garden. It is a powerful herbal ally for sleep, stress, skin health, digestion, and emotional well-being.

Sometimes healing really does begin one plant at a time.

~Courtney
Just Nurse Court

Disclaimer

This information is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any herbal protocol.

References

Balch, Phyllis A., and James F. Balch. Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Avery Publishing, 1990.

Blumenthal, Mark, et al. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council; Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998.

Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. 4th ed., DK Publishing, 2023.

Duke, James A. The Green Pharmacy: New Discoveries in Herbal Remedies for Common Diseases and Conditions from the World’s Foremost Authority on Healing Herbs. Rodale Press, 1997.

Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press, 2010.

Richardson, Kaylee. The Beekeeper’s Apothecary: A Foundational Guide for Becoming Your Own Herbalist. Homestead Living, 2025.