Lilac oil comes from the leaves of the Syringa vulgaris plant which belong to the Oleaceae family. The plant is native to the Middle East and Eastern Europe, particularly the Balkan region. Today, these plants are cultivated widely in other regions including India and North America, specifically in the United States. Lilac essential oil is extracted by steam distillation of the leaves. It is light purple in color and has a refreshing floral scent. Its documented use in medicinal practices only stretches back a few hundred years but has likely been used by indigenous people for far longer. Lilacs are some of the most popular flower varieties in the world, resulting in the wide availability of this essential oil.

History of Lilac Oil

Syringa vulgaris is native to temperate regions of Asia and Eastern Europe.  They are low-maintenance plants, which can be usually grown. Out of all the species, it is the most popular lilac, which can grow in temperate regions in any part of the world. Since the 19th century, lilac oil has been used to treat various disorders, and its medicinal uses have been discovered long back.

Lilac Essential Oil Facts

Health benefits of Lilac Essential Oil

Listed below are some of the well-known health benefits of using lilac Essential oil

1. Prevents Premature Aging

Antioxidants and astringent compounds in lilac essential oil can work in combination to improve the appearance of skin and make you look and feel younger. If you have lines, wrinkles, blemishes, or other age-related marks, this oil can help tighten the skin, increase elasticity, and prevent many of the symptoms of premature aging. (1)

2. Reduces Fever

Traditionally known as a febrifuge, the lilac essential oil can help to break stubborn fevers and begin the recovery process for people suffering from infections and illnesses. By promoting sweating, febrifuges can stimulate the release of toxins from the body and give your immune system a much-needed break. (2)

3. Eases Anxiety and Reduces Stress

Lilac is one of the most popular oils in aromatherapy. Lilac fragrance oil consists of lilac linalool, an alcohol that is known for its powerful powers of reducing stress and increasing feelings of happiness. Few inhalations of lilac can help to induce calm and feelings of peace. Linalool also signals the nervous system to produce lower levels of cortisol — the stress hormone that can make you feel depressed and worn out.

Lilac fragrance oil can also help to remove bacteria in the air thanks to antibacterial chemical compounds. A pleasant aroma permeates the air, resulting in a fresh scent that can eliminate smelly odors from garbage and other offenders. Inhaling lilac fragrance oil before bed can help alleviate symptoms of insomnia. Sweet scent decreases stress and repetitive thoughts that can keep you up at night. Simply add 1 or 2 drops of this fragrance oil to your diffuser in combination with rose or lavender oil and breathe deeply. (3)

4. Eliminates Parasites

Lilac essential oil has been used to cleanse the body of internal parasites and intestinal worms. While many people think of digestive aids as something to consume, it is not recommended that you consume lilac essential oil. Inhaling these powerful compounds or applying them to the skin is enough to promote their effects internally. (4)

5. Improves Room Odor

Lilac essential oil provides a wonderful aroma to a room when used in an essential oil diffuser, and also has certain antibacterial properties that help to cleanse the room’s air and surfaces. The scent of lilac oil is very pleasant and commonly sought after by people interested in aromatherapy and passive health treatments. (5)

6. Cures digestive issues

Syringa extracts help in relieving digestive problems such as dyspepsia, flatulence (excess gas), and diarrhea. Dyspepsia is a condition where there is persistent and recurrent pain in your upper abdomen. Folk medicine recommends chewing the leaves of Syringa plants in order to relieve digestive troubles.(6), (7)

7. Prevent Sunburn

While we want to enjoy the sun, we also want to avoid any harmful effects it may have on our skin. This includes damage that may lead to certain cancers or signs of premature aging such as spots and wrinkles. However, many of the products used to protect the skin also include substances that may cause other issues. To the end of preventing issues and still helping to keep skin protected, many companies have looked to using natural oils, like lilac, which have antioxidative properties to prevent cell damage and may even help repair cells that already suffer from photoaging.

Use lilac oil as part of your skin routine if you already show signs of premature aging or you may be prone to burning easily. If available, try to find a natural sunscreen that has lilac oil as an ingredient as well. (8)

8. Uplift Mood

The scent of lilac always takes me back to lazy summer days in my childhood, so using it to uplift my mood seems like an easy choice. Substances in the oil lead to the reduced inflammation of nerves in the brain, allowing for the production and more effective use of our feel-good hormones. It can also reduce other indicators of stress such as high blood pressure and the presence of the stress hormone cortisol. (9)

9. Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s natural response when something is wrong, there is a foreign substance in the body, or an injury occurs. Redness and swelling is natural occurrence, but sometimes it does not go away without outside assistance. Lilac oil consists of a substance that has been shown to reduce inflammations, including that which is caused by an internal source. (10)

10. Reduce Blood Pressure

As we are assaulted by a different number of stressors throughout the day, we find ourselves suffering from high blood pressure. This may even be a chronic condition brought on by diet or genetics. High blood pressure can lead to other complications such as heart disease. Lilac essential oil was found to reduce blood pressure and, in some instances, decrease heart rate as well.

If you find yourself suffering from symptoms of high blood pressure or stress, try diffusing lilac oil into the air. This may especially be helpful in places where you encounter stressful situations such as work. (11)

11. Control Ticks and Mites

Anyone who loves to garden or outdoors knows the dangers of ticks and how hard they can be to control. We may also find an increased incidence of mites in our homes or on our travels as we share our spaces with several other people. Lilac oil was found to consist of chemicals that can be as effective as commercial treatments and may even work when mites or ticks have become inured to the effects.

Mix lilac oil in water to create a mattress spray and kill or prevent mites from taking up residence in your mattresses and bedding. It may also keep ticks from taking over your yard if used as a spray or diffused aromatically in the backyard. (12)

12. Treats Intestinal Worms

Lilacs were used in America during colonial times as a treatment for intestinal worms and to reduce fever. While early settlers ate lilac flowers for these benefits, you should never take lilac fragrance oil orally due to its highly concentrated nature. Instead, to reap these health benefits, make your own lilac water. Simply combine a few fresh lilac flowers with warm or simmering water, strain, let cool and drink with ice. For reducing fever, apply 2 drops of lilac fragrance oil to a warm, wet washcloth and place directly on the forehead.

13. Treats hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are also known as piles. They are blood vessels that swell, stretch, and pain, especially while passing stools. However, the extracts from S. aramaticum have been successfully helpful in the treatment of hemorrhoids.

14. Treating Malaria

Lilac essential oil has antiperiodic properties. This means that it has the capability to hinder diseases, such as fever and malaria, from developing over and over. It is also good to know that this property is still under research since diseases like malaria are known to be cured by administering strong antibiotics.

15. Treats Skin Problems

Lilac essential oil has many health benefits, and it also helps treat skin problems like cuts, rashes and burns. Oil also helps treat sunburn. Lilac essential oil encourages glowing and healthy skin.

16. Prevents Depression

Depression affects many people in the world and people are encouraged to go for aromatherapy to have themselves treated from it. Many aromatherapists use lilac essential oil to help relax their patients and relieve them of mild depression. It is good to note that different therapists will use lilac essential oil differently. Some use it to make the room smell nice and so the patient feels comfortable while others allow their patients to inhale it. It is important to note that lilac essential oil should never be ingested as it contains constituents that are harmful to your body.

Different uses Of Lilac Essential Oil

There are many uses for lilac essential oil, but the most common are cleansing applications, cosmetic uses, aromatherapy, and a powerful anti-parasitic substance.

Cleaning Applications

Lilac essential oil is most commonly used for cleaning applications. It is antiparasitic, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral in nature, and it’s much better for your children and pets, and the environment than mainstream cleaners with harsh chemicals. It also has a pleasant aroma that will leave your home smelling like flowers rather than bleach.

Cosmetic Uses

Lilac essential oil is also commonly added to cosmetic products such as bath soap, hand soap, shampoo, and perfume. It smells wonderful and works wonders on your skin and hair. Lilac oil will strengthen your hair at the roots, but more impressive is the number of ways it protects your skin. When applied to the scalp, it eliminates dandruff. It protects open wounds from becoming infected and is commonly used to treat bruises, scrapes, and small cuts. It will also promote the healing of abrasions and stimulate new healthy cell growth for reasons including inflammatory conditions, rashes, sunburns, and minor abrasions.

Aromatherapy

If you suffer from anxiety, stress, or panic attacks, use lilac essential oil in a diffuser to make your room and mood more peaceful. Use it to help you meditate. Use it while practicing tai chi or yoga. A few sniffs of this essential oil works wonders for your limbic system which is responsible for creating new memories, promoting calm feelings, and reducing the levels of stress hormones in your body. Furthermore, it can even reduce your risk of chronic diseases by treating insomnia and sleep deprivation. Such chronic health conditions include diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Additionally, due to its antibacterial properties, it can cleanse not only the air in your room but also the surfaces. Improving your health does not get much more pleasant than this.

Eliminate Parasites

Remember; do not directly ingest lilac oil. It is too powerful and can be dangerous to your health. The best way to use it is by applying it topically or inhaling it through a diffuser. When you do this, you will be able to get the full effect. Some of its wonders work in terms of getting rid of digestion parasites. It can rid the body of internal parasites as large as intestinal worms caused by eating raw fish and other risky foods.

Side Effects of Lilac Essential Oil

Lilac essential oil does experience certain side effects, mostly when used improperly or by certain groups of people with pre-existing conditions or allergies. Active ingredients in lilac essential oil can be very powerful and can have serious side effects if consumed or used incorrectly.

Allergies

Lilac essential oil does have a reputation for being an allergenic substance, so when you first begin using the oil, apply a small amount to a patch of skin and wait for 60-90 minutes to see if an allergic reaction occurs. If you use lilac essential oil and experience any sort of negative side effect, discontinue use immediately and speak with your doctor.

Pungent Aroma

The floral scent of lilac fragrance oil can be overwhelming or border on nausea for some people. A strong, floral scent can also make sensitive individuals feel dizzy and light-headed. Start off using only small amounts to avoid these side effects. You can also blend lilac oil with other essential oils to balance out the floral scent. Some oils that counteract the floral aroma include tea tree oil, vetiver, and cinnamon. If you have allergies to fresh lilac flowers, definitely avoid lilac fragrance oil.

Pregnancy

Due to the high concentration of active ingredients and chemicals in lilac essential oil, it is generally not recommended for pregnancy. However, some women find the relaxing and anxiolytic effects beneficial. But always speak to a doctor before using essential oils in any form when pregnant.

Skin Irritation

As with other products derived from plants, lilac fragrance oil can cause skin irritation when applied topically. Steer clear of lilac oil to avoid causing irritation, blisters, rashes, and skin infections if you have hypersensitive skin. Seek medical attention instantly if you develop serious side effects. Always dilute lilac oil with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil, olive oil, or jojoba oil for topical application. Another way to avoid skin irritation is to dilute the fragrance oil with water. Simply mix 1 or 2 drops of lilac oil with water or your normal face cleanser before applying it to the skin.

Internal Consumption

Since lilac fragrance oil is not a true essential oil, it should never be eaten or consumed orally. Internal consumption of lilac fragrance oil can lead to a host of health problems including digestive disorders and heart conditions. Take extra care to keep the oil away from sensitive areas such as your eyes, nose, and mouth when applying topically.

References

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