Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) is the pretty purple herb that is part of the mint plant family, and it has a sweet herbal smell. But apart from smelling great, it also offers a number of health benefits. In fact, according to Medical News Today, lavender is often grown for extraction of its essential oils which have cosmetic and medicinal uses.

Lavender can be used to give a home a pleasant scent and is often used in skin and hair care products because of its smell. Using a lavender essential oil could also promote hair growth, WebMD notes that in individuals who have alopecia areata, a mixture of lavender essential oils and others like rosemary, thyme, and cedarwood, could potentially “improve hair growth by as much as 44% after 7 months of treatment.”

But lavender has so much more to offer, and can also be used to treat minor burns and skin irritations because it’s believed to contain anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties which help with wound healing.

The essential oil from this herb is also associated with a sense of overall well being, and according to research, it has been used to treat anxiety, depression, restlessness, and insomnia. According to Everyday Health, in a 2017 study published in the British Association of Critical Nurses, lavender essential oil was found to improve the quality of sleep for patients in the ICU.

Lavender can be used for a number of skin conditions and can be applied to affected areas to treat blemishes, acne, eczema and skin inflammations (those with sensitive skin should dilute the essential oil in water).

The essential oil is commonly associated with treating fungal conditions. According to Medical News Today, it has been found to treat antifungal-resistant infections. Everyday Health also notes that it can kill off certain types of fungus and can treat athlete’s foot and ringworm.

Another potential benefit of lavender oil is its pain-easing properties and according to WebMD, lavender oil aromatherapy massages have been used to treat a backache and stomach pain in women experiencing menstruation.

Some things to know: Lavender essential oil should never be swallowed. It is also not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and therefore should not be taken instead of prescribed medications, Medical News Today reports.

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