Lavender Essential Oil
(Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is the first scent that comes to many people's minds at the mention of aromatherapy, and lavender is undoubtedly the most popular of essential oils. Because it is the one of the most versatile essential oils, no home should be without it!
Lavender is considered to be an adaptogen, and therefore can assist the body in many different ways when adapting to stress or imbalances. Lavender not only has calming, sedating effects but can also be a booster when energy runs low.
Lavender is comprised of over 100 constituents, including linalool, perillyl alcohol, linalyl acetate, camphor, d-limonene, eucalyptol, tannins, triterpenes, coumarins, cineole, camphor, and flavonoids. Linalyl acetate and linalool have been identified as active constituents that contribute to its calming and sedative properties.
There is a growing body of scientific research supporting the use of lavender for a wide range of conditions. Read on to learn more!
Lavender is considered to be an adaptogen, and therefore can assist the body in many different ways when adapting to stress or imbalances. Lavender not only has calming, sedating effects but can also be a booster when energy runs low.
Lavender is comprised of over 100 constituents, including linalool, perillyl alcohol, linalyl acetate, camphor, d-limonene, eucalyptol, tannins, triterpenes, coumarins, cineole, camphor, and flavonoids. Linalyl acetate and linalool have been identified as active constituents that contribute to its calming and sedative properties.
There is a growing body of scientific research supporting the use of lavender for a wide range of conditions. Read on to learn more!
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Aroma:
Attributes: Balancing, soothing, normalizing, calming, relaxing, healing Mental/Emotional Benefits: Anxiety, depression, irritability, panic attacks and stress Physical Benefits: Acne, allergies, anxiety, asthma, athlete's foot, bruises, burns, chicken pox, colic, cuts, cystitis, depression, dermatitis, earache, flatulence, headache, hypertension, insect bites, insect repellent, itching, labour pains, migraine, oily skin, rheumatism, scabies, scars, sores, sprains, strains, stress, stretch marks, vertigo, whooping cough ORAC: 3,669 (TE/L) |
Blends well with:
Lavender is well known for blending well with most other essential oils. These are just a few favorites:
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Ways To Use Lavender Essential Oil:
- Try adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to some epsom salts, and then add to your bath before bedtime.
- Give yourself (or a loved one) a nice foot massage with a drop or two of lavender added to your lotion.
- Add a few drops of lavender to some honey and stir into a relaxing bedtime tea blend.
- Place a few drops of lavender essential oil on a wet cloth or dryer sheet to deodorize and freshen your laundry.
- Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a cotton ball and place it in closets and drawers to scent linens and repel moths.
- Make a refreshing and relaxing lavender spray to mist over your pillow at bedtime.
Lavender for Improved Sleep
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that insufficient sleep is a public health epidemic, with up to 30 percent of American adults suffering from occasional bouts of insomnia and 10 percent of Americans experiencing chronic insomnia. Most of us already know that inadequate sleep can affect our jobs, our relationships, and our overall health.
According to "Aromatherapy: A Complete guide to the Healing Art", clinical studies have found lavender essential oil to be effective in helping people fall asleep faster and experience fewer sleep-related symptoms.
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) states that lavender aromatherapy can be effectively used to help promote sleep, and should be considered as a safe alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.
A restful sleep in the hospital is often a challenge for patients and may result in the use of medications. A recent study concluded that using lavender aromatherapy resulted in significantly better sleep quality. Lavender aromatherapy is well tolerated, with no documented drug interactions or contraindications.
Numerous studies have documented the effectiveness of lavender essential oil and aromatherapy for improving sleep.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that insufficient sleep is a public health epidemic, with up to 30 percent of American adults suffering from occasional bouts of insomnia and 10 percent of Americans experiencing chronic insomnia. Most of us already know that inadequate sleep can affect our jobs, our relationships, and our overall health.
According to "Aromatherapy: A Complete guide to the Healing Art", clinical studies have found lavender essential oil to be effective in helping people fall asleep faster and experience fewer sleep-related symptoms.
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) states that lavender aromatherapy can be effectively used to help promote sleep, and should be considered as a safe alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.
A restful sleep in the hospital is often a challenge for patients and may result in the use of medications. A recent study concluded that using lavender aromatherapy resulted in significantly better sleep quality. Lavender aromatherapy is well tolerated, with no documented drug interactions or contraindications.
Numerous studies have documented the effectiveness of lavender essential oil and aromatherapy for improving sleep.
Lavender to Reduce Anxiety and Improve Mood
Many studies have demonstrated the calming, anxiety-reducing effects of lavender. One study involving cancer patients showed improvement in anxiety and depression scores, as well as better pain control.
In another study, lavender essential oil was shown to reduce depression and insomnia in female nursing students.
Lavender essential oil has also been shown to reduce anxiety in dental patients.
Many studies have demonstrated the calming, anxiety-reducing effects of lavender. One study involving cancer patients showed improvement in anxiety and depression scores, as well as better pain control.
In another study, lavender essential oil was shown to reduce depression and insomnia in female nursing students.
Lavender essential oil has also been shown to reduce anxiety in dental patients.
Lavender for Pain Relief
In addition to the calming effects of lavender, the constituent linalool has been identified as producing acute local anesthetic activity. A recent study shows lavender aromatherapy may be an effective technique to reduce pain following needle insertion into a fistula in hemodialysis patients.
In another study, the use of lavender essential oil caused statistically significant reduction in daily use of pain medications in children following tonsillectomies.
In addition to the calming effects of lavender, the constituent linalool has been identified as producing acute local anesthetic activity. A recent study shows lavender aromatherapy may be an effective technique to reduce pain following needle insertion into a fistula in hemodialysis patients.
In another study, the use of lavender essential oil caused statistically significant reduction in daily use of pain medications in children following tonsillectomies.
Lavender for Skin and Hair
Lavender is highly regarded for skin and beauty. It may be used to soothe and cleanse common cuts, bruises, and skin irritations. In fact, the name for this herb comes from the Latin "lavare" which means "to wash".
Another study shows that lavender may help with wound healing by increasing growth factors in the tissues.
Lavender oil is quickly absorbed by the skin. The constituents linalool and linalyl acetate are detectable in the blood five minutes after topical application, peak at 19 minutes, and largely disappear from the blood within 90 minutes.
Aromatherapy massage with lavender essential oil has also been found to be a safe and effective treatment for alopecia areata.
Lavender is highly regarded for skin and beauty. It may be used to soothe and cleanse common cuts, bruises, and skin irritations. In fact, the name for this herb comes from the Latin "lavare" which means "to wash".
Another study shows that lavender may help with wound healing by increasing growth factors in the tissues.
Lavender oil is quickly absorbed by the skin. The constituents linalool and linalyl acetate are detectable in the blood five minutes after topical application, peak at 19 minutes, and largely disappear from the blood within 90 minutes.
Aromatherapy massage with lavender essential oil has also been found to be a safe and effective treatment for alopecia areata.
Lavender for Infections and Germs
Lavender essential oil is a powerful antioxidant with broad activity against bacteria, and studies suggest that lavender could be used to treat rhinitis, and possible many more afflictions. Studies have also found the antimicrobial activity of lavender oil to consistently inhibit the growth of methicillin-sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA).
Another recent scientific study demonstrated that lavender oil exerted strong antimutagenic activity against bacteria. This growing body of evidence is encouraging many hospitals and care providers to consider diffusing essential oils as a way to prevent the spread of disease and infection, especially when it comes to antibiotic resistance.
Lavender essential oil is a powerful antioxidant with broad activity against bacteria, and studies suggest that lavender could be used to treat rhinitis, and possible many more afflictions. Studies have also found the antimicrobial activity of lavender oil to consistently inhibit the growth of methicillin-sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA and MRSA).
Another recent scientific study demonstrated that lavender oil exerted strong antimutagenic activity against bacteria. This growing body of evidence is encouraging many hospitals and care providers to consider diffusing essential oils as a way to prevent the spread of disease and infection, especially when it comes to antibiotic resistance.
Lavender for Repelling Pests & Insects
Several essential oils are effective in repelling pests and insects, including lavender. Lavender has been shown to be especially effective in repelling moths. Lavender essential oil also has anti-inflammatory qualities that will reduce the irritation and the pain associated with bug bites, just in case you do get bitten.
Several essential oils are effective in repelling pests and insects, including lavender. Lavender has been shown to be especially effective in repelling moths. Lavender essential oil also has anti-inflammatory qualities that will reduce the irritation and the pain associated with bug bites, just in case you do get bitten.
Lavender for Flavor!
Lavender is commonly found in the herb blend Herbs de'Provence, and may also be added with a little honey to flavor teas, even ice cream or sorbet!
Try adding a couple drops of lavender essential oil to any recipe you want to enhance. Add to tea or sparkling water, cookies, desserts, chocolate, salad dressings, and even champagne. Enjoy!
Lavender may also have lipid-lowering effect, attributed to the constituent cineole, a monoterpene which lowers cholesterol in rats.
Lavender is commonly found in the herb blend Herbs de'Provence, and may also be added with a little honey to flavor teas, even ice cream or sorbet!
Try adding a couple drops of lavender essential oil to any recipe you want to enhance. Add to tea or sparkling water, cookies, desserts, chocolate, salad dressings, and even champagne. Enjoy!
Lavender may also have lipid-lowering effect, attributed to the constituent cineole, a monoterpene which lowers cholesterol in rats.
Cautions:
Although lavender essential oil is generally regarded as safe (GRAS), sensitive individuals may want to dilute with a carrier oil or lotion. Topical use has resulted in mild dermatitis and photo-sensitivity, so use caution.
Make sure your lavender is not another species or a hybrid, such as lavender stoechas (Lavandula stoechas), spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia), or lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia).
There are many other subspecies of lavender, and many of them have very different chemical profiles. Be sure to only use pure, therapeutic-grade lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) purchased from a reputable source. You often get what you pay for, and lavandin is typically cut with synthetics and sold as lavender oil.
If you are pregnant or under a doctor's care, please consult with your physician before using essential oils.
Although lavender essential oil is generally regarded as safe (GRAS), sensitive individuals may want to dilute with a carrier oil or lotion. Topical use has resulted in mild dermatitis and photo-sensitivity, so use caution.
Make sure your lavender is not another species or a hybrid, such as lavender stoechas (Lavandula stoechas), spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia), or lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia).
There are many other subspecies of lavender, and many of them have very different chemical profiles. Be sure to only use pure, therapeutic-grade lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) purchased from a reputable source. You often get what you pay for, and lavandin is typically cut with synthetics and sold as lavender oil.
If you are pregnant or under a doctor's care, please consult with your physician before using essential oils.