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Lavender
(Lavandula angustifolia or Lavandula
officinalis) is loved mostly for its fragrant scent.
It is used in lotions,
soaps, and sachets for scenting linens and clothing.
The name lavender comes from the Latin word lavare,
which means "to wash." Lavender probably got
this name because it was (and continues to be) used
quite often in baths to help purify body and
spirit. |
| However,
lavender is also highly acknowledged as a natural remedy
and is frequently used for insomnia,
headache, anxiety,
depression and general mood disturbances with excellent
results. Scientific research confirms that lavender
produces calming, soothing, and sedative effects. |
Lavender,
the plant
Lavender
is a native to the Mediterranean mountainous areas where it
grows in sunny, stony locales. Today, lavender grows abundantly
throughout southern Europe and Australia, as well as in the
United States. Lavender is a short shrub that grows to roughly 2
feet. Its broad rootstock produces woody branches with
rod-like, green leafy shoots. A silvery fuzzy down covers its
grayish-green leaves, which are tapered and oblong shaped, and
attached directly at the base of the plant.
The oil in the
small blue-violet flowers gives lavender its wonderfully
fragrant scent.
Essential
oil is extracted from the fresh flowers of the lavender
plant and used for medicinal purposes.
Medicinal
Uses
Clinical
(human, not animal) studies show that lavender essential oil can
be beneficial in a variety of conditions. Some of these are
insomnia, hair loss, stress, anxiety, postoperative pain,
and can be used as an antiviral/antibacterial agent. Lavender
oil is used together with other forms of alternative medicine
such as massage and acupuncture. Essential
oils have been used throughout history for their power to
influence the emotions and state of mind.
Insomnia
Speaking
from personal experience, a small pillow or sachet
filled with lavender
flowers and tucked under my pillowcase has helped me fall asleep
on many a restless night. There is now scientific evidence
suggesting aromatherapy with lavender
slows the activity of the nervous system, improving the quality
of sleep, improving the mood of people who have a sleep
disorder, and promoting relaxation. Studies also suggest massage
with essential oils, in particular lavender, often results in
improved sleep quality, a more stable mood, less anxiety, and
increased mental capacity. In a recent study, the participants
who had a massage with lavender actually felt better, i.e., less
anxiety and a more positive outlook/mood, than participants in
the group who received a massage without using lavender. Lavender
flowers used in tea for insomnia in particular, as well as
anxiousness and restlessness, and nervous stomach problems have
received very positive results.
Other
uses
Aromatherapists
use lavender in inhalation therapy for headaches, exhaustion,
and nervous disorders. Herbalists treat skin ailments like
fungal infections, wounds, acne, and eczema, with lavender oil.
Lavender is also used for healing by putting drops of essential
oil into bath water for circulatory problems or as a rub for
muscle and joint ailments. A recent study found that the use of
lavender oil may improve postoperative pain control. Fifty
patients undergoing breast biopsy surgery received either oxygen
supplemented with lavender oil or oxygen alone. Patients in the
lavender group reported a higher satisfaction rate with pain
control than patients in the control group. (See References
section below)
Available
Forms of Lavender
Preparations
using Lavender are made from dried flowers and essential oils of
the lavender plant. These preparations are available here on our
website in the following products:
Pregnant
and breast-feeding women should avoid using lavender. Not
recommended for children.
We
are not doctors. The information above was gleaned from
various medical journal resources and clinical studies (see
references below) and are not intended to diagnose and/or treat
any medical condition. You should always consult your treating physician.
References
Diego
MA, Jones NA, Field T, et al. Aromatherapy positively affects
mood, EEG patterns of alertness and math computations. Int J
Neurosci . 1998;96(3-4):217-224.
Ernst
E. The Desktop Guide to Complementary and Alternative Medicine:
An Evidence-Based Approach . Mosby, Edinburgh; 2001:130-132.
Ghelardini
C, Galeotti N, Salvatore G, Mazzanti G. Local anaesthetic activity
of the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia . Planta
Med . 1999;65(8):700-703.
Graham
PH, Browne L, Cox H, Graham J. Inhalation aromatherapy during
radiotherapy: results of a placebo-controlled double-blind
randomized trial. J Clin Oncol . 2003;21(12):2372-6.
Gyllenhaal
C, Merrit SL, Peterson SD, Block KI, Gochenour T. Efficacy and
safety of herbal stimulants and sedatives in sleep disorders. Sleep
Medicine Reviews . 2000;4(2):1-24.
Rho
KH, Han SH, Kim KS, Lee MS. Effects of aromatherapy massage on
anxiety and self-esteem in Korean elderly women: a pilot study. Int
J Neurosci . 2006;116(12):1447-55.
Kim
JT, Wajda M, Cuff G, et al., Evaluation of aromatherapy in
treating postoperative pain: pilot study. Pain Pract .
2006;6(4):273-7.
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