Lavender Fields Forever

How lavender became the unofficial scent of sleep and why it signals relaxation to the brain

Words by Tess Woolslager

What do you associate lavender with? Stress relief, shades of purple, or maybe that one Bath & Body Works lotion so potent you thought it would knock you out on contact. Whatever it is, chances are your brain drifts somewhere peaceful, conjuring a sweet, earthy, slightly woody scent you reach for when you want to wind down.

That connection is no accident. Lavender has been widely associated with sleep for decades, so we set out to understand why. Ahead, we break down the history and uses of lavender throughout the years, what it actually does to the brain, the best ways to use it at night, and what to look for when buying it. To bring it all to life, The Flow Trip sat down with Patti Lyons, co-owner of Peace Valley Lavender Farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to get farm-to-nightstand insight and uncover how a little purple flower became sleep’s favorite smell.

The History and Evolution

From ancient remedies to bedtime rituals, lavender has a long lineage of practical, multi-functional use. It was first historically used for bathing in Ancient Roman baths, stemming from the Latin word lavare, meaning “to wash.” It wasn’t just a pleasant scent; it was useful. Lavender was used to ease everyday ailments like indigestion, headaches, and sore throats, and valued for its antimicrobial role in household cleaning and wound care, as well as its ability to repel insects. In some ancient cultures, bundles were hung over doorways as a form of protection, believed to ward off negative energy. The ancient Egyptians took its significance even further, using lavender in perfumes, cosmetics, and mummification rituals.

Its calm-inducing scent may have started as a bonus, but it didn’t stay secondary for long. Over time, lavender became closely associated with soothing the nervous system –– recommended by herbalists to ease stress, nervousness, and insomnia. “I think that lavender’s multitude of uses included stress relief and relaxation, even if it wasn’t the primary use,” Patti Lyons told us. “I imagine the folks in the Roman baths were feeling pretty relaxed, even though the lavender oil added to the water was more for hygiene than stress relief.”

By the 1800s and early 1900s, lavender had become fully commercialized in soaps, powders, colognes, and cleaning products, and in the process, drifted into daily wind-down rituals. As modern medicine and sanitation advanced, lavender was no longer necessary for protection and cleanliness in the same way, but it remained emotionally potent: the scent of fresh laundry, clean skin, and a cared-for home. Its purpose shifted from a practical remedy to a sensory signal.

Today, lavender is deeply woven into spa and self-care culture, widely recognized as a natural sleep aid and stress reliever around the world. It’s the official bedtime scent — pillow mists, linen sprays, lotions, teas, diffusers — used as a sleep cue that tells the brain it can rest, wind down, and fall asleep.

Relaxation effects in the brain and body

A deep inhale of lavender and your brain enters a state of calm. Why? 

Get this: Lavender contains compounds such as linalool and linalyl acetate, which interact with our GABA receptors –– aka the part of the brain that reduces nerve cell activity — and may produce calming effects. Inhaling its scent also sends signals to the brain's limbic system, which governs emotions, and may help decrease cortisol levels while activating our parasympathetic nervous system. Combine it all together and it’s a recipe for feeling safe, relaxed, and emotionally regulated, setting us up to drift into a soft slumber.

“I think people like how lavender makes them feel when they smell it. When someone walks in the door of our store, they will often stop, inhale deeply, exhale, and say, ‘I love lavender.’ It’s that feeling of ‘ahh.’ You can almost see the tension melting away,” Lyons shared.

While lavender is not a knockout pill, its natural calming effects in our brain and body help promote the onset of sleep, Lyons said. “I give farm tours during the blooming season, and I’ve heard hundreds of people say, 'Lavender puts me to sleep!’ throughout my 20-plus years in the business. I’m quick to reply that lavender doesn’t put them to sleep but rather calms and soothes them so that sleep can come more easily.”

How to use it tonight

We thought Patti would know best here.

“There are a variety of ways to use lavender, and everyone is different in what they are inclined to do,” Lyons said. “For some, spritzing their sheets and pillows with lavender before getting in bed is the easiest. Some people shower or bathe before bed, so using lavender-scented soap, shower gel, or bath oil would be helpful. Placing a diffuser in the bedroom can also help, as well as massaging your feet with a lavender cream. Even squeezing a lavender-scented sachet before lights out can be helpful. I like to use a lavender-filled eye pillow when I sleep.”

New to using lavender in your nighttime routine? “Almost anything lavender scented will help,” Lyons advised. “It’s important to know yourself. What are you most likely to use?” 

Lucky for you, we listed out a few ideas to get you started before you begin counting sheep.

• Spray a lavender mist over your pillows and sheets
• Add lavender oil to your diffuser
• Place a sachet of dried lavender near your bed (pro tip: give it a squeeze to release a stronger scent)
• Use a lavender-scented body wash or sprinkle lavender flowers in your bathwater
• Lather lavender lotion or massage oil on your body
• Apply lavender balm on pulse points (wrists, temples, neck, behind ears) and on the soles of the feet
• Sip lavender tea
  

Tip: While generally safe, pure lavender oil can cause skin irritation for some folks. In this case, we recommend diluting it with a carrier oil, like sweet almond oil or coconut oil, for skin application.

Buying advice

When purchasing lavender products, it’s worth reading the label. For high-quality, authentic lavender oil, look for 100% pure essential oil, distilled Lavandula angustifolia (true lavender). If it’s packaged in a dark-colored glass bottle, even better, as this prevents degradation. “If the label says, ‘fragrance of lavender’ or ‘lavender fragrance’, that’s telling you that a synthetic fragrance oil was used. Fragrance oils don’t deliver the same aroma therapeutic properties that essential oils do. Products using essential oils will typically cost a bit more than those using fragrance oils, but it’s worth it,” said Lyons.

It’s also worth checking the appearance and scent before buying. Pure lavender oil should be colorless to pale yellow and have a fresh, floral, and slightly herbaceous scent, not a sharp, synthetic, or overly sweet aroma.

Tip: It’s best to store your oil in a cool, dark place.

Stop and breathe

If there’s anything lavender can teach us, it’s to stop and breathe. Forget roses. Whether it’s strictly woven into your bedtime routine or used sporadically whenever you’re feeling stressed, that mindful moment of inhale and exhale is an act of kindness to ourselves, regardless of whether your nose is smelling lavender or simply fresh air. “It’s important to take time, even if it’s just a moment, to stop and breathe,” Lyons said. “Lavender is just there to support us.”

To learn more about Peace Valley Lavender Farm and shop their products, visit www.peacevalleylavender.com. We recommend visiting in person, of course. Peak blooming season runs from early June to mid-July.

Disclaimer: While some research suggests health benefits, the FDA does not regulate essential oils for purity or quality. Talk with a healthcare professional before using them, and choose brands that clearly disclose ingredients. Always patch-test first, and never ingest essential oils.