Lavender

Overview

Lavender is an herb. The flower and the oil of lavender are used to make medicine.

Lavender is commonly used for anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It is also used for depression, dementia, pain after surgery, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.

In foods and beverages, lavender is used as a flavor component.

In manufacturing, lavender is used in pharmaceutical products and as a fragrance ingredient in soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, potpourri, and decorations.

Lavender (scientific name Lavandula angustifolia) is commonly contaminated with related species, including Lavandula hybrida, which is a cross between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia, from which lavandin oil is obtained.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Herb

Primary Functions:

Anxiety, stress, insomnia

Also Known As:

Alhucema, Common Lavender, English Lavender, French Lavender

How Does It Work?

Lavender contains an oil that seems to have sedating effects and might relax certain muscles. It also seems to have antibacterial and antifungal effects.

Uses

  • Anxiety. Limited research shows that taking lavender oil by mouth might improve symptoms in some people with anxiety. It's unclear if lavender aromatherapy improves anxiety. Some research shows benefit, while other research does not.
  • Depression. Research shows that lavender aromatherapy may improve symptoms in some people with depression. Taking lavender by mouth might also help. While taking lavender appears to be slightly less effective than the antidepressant drug imipramine, taking the two in combination might be more beneficial than taking the drug alone.
  • Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Lavender oil aromatherapy massages reduce pain associated with menstruation in some young women better than regular massages. Also, inhaling lavender oil for the first 3 days of menstruation seems to reduce stomach pain and backache in women with menstrual pain.
  • Pain after surgery. Some research shows that inhaling lavender essence while receiving pain killers intravenously (by IV) can help reduce pain in women after a C-section. Other research shows that inhaling lavender for 3 minutes every 6 hours can lessen pain and reduce the need to use acetaminophen after a tonsillectomy in children 6-12 years old.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

  • Anxiety: 80-160 mg of a specific lavender oil ingredient (Silexan, Dr Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG) has been taken daily for 6-10 weeks. 500 mg of dried, powdered lavender flowers has been taken twice daily for 8 weeks.
  • Depression: 80 mg of a specific lavender oil ingredient (Silexan, Dr Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG) has been taken daily for 6 weeks. 60 drops of a diluted lavender tincture have been taken daily for 4 weeks.

INHALED AS AROMATHERAPY:

  • Anxiety: 8 drops of an oil blend containing 2% lavender and rose essential oil has been applied to a cotton pad and inhaled for 15 minutes twice weekly for 4 weeks. The lavender and rose oil formulation was prepared by diluting 2 drops of an essential oil blend containing 75% lavender oil and 25% rose oil diluted in 5 mL of jojoba oil. 3 drops of lavender essential oil has been applied to a cotton pad and inhaled for 5 minutes daily for 1 month. 2 drops of lavender oil have been applied to a cotton pad and kept by the pillow overnight for 1 week. 3 drops of lavender oil have been applied to on a cotton pad and inhaled 30 minutes. Lavender oil has been diffused through a waiting room for 15 minutes.
  • Depression: 8 drops of an oil blend containing 2% lavender and rose essential oil has been applied to a cotton pad and inhaled for 15 minutes twice weekly for 4 weeks. The lavender and rose oil formulation was prepared by diluting 2 drops of an essential oil blend containing 75% lavender oil and 25% rose oil diluted in 5 mL of jojoba oil. 5 mL of an aromatherapy oil containing lavender, sweet orange, and bergamot has been massaged into the upper body twice weekly for 8 weeks.
  • Menstrual pain: Applying 3 drops of lavender oil to the hands and inhaling every 6 hours or placing 3 drops of oil onto a piece of cotton and inhaling for 30 minutes daily for the first 3 days of menstruation has been used. Also, 2 mL of lavender oil applied on the abdomen for 15 minutes as part of an aromatherapy massage has been used during a menstrual period.
  • Pain after surgery: Two drops of 2% lavender essence has been applied to the inside of an oxygen face mask and inhaled for 3 minutes at 3, 8, and 16 hours after receiving pain-relievers for C-section pain.

Lavender Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What are lavender pills good for?

Overall, anxiety symptoms improved more in people who were taking lavender oil oral capsules than in people who were taking a placebo (a 'dummy' medicine). Oral lavender oil was effective irrespective of whether people had anxiety disorder, subsyndromal anxiety or generalised anxiety disorder.

Do lavender pills help anxiety?

Studies have shown the special lavender oil used in the capsules can reduce excessive neurotransmitter activity. And, as a result reduces overstimulation and hyperactivity of the nervous response. Therefore, researchers say, the capsules are able to improve and reduce the symptoms of anxiety.

Are lavender pills safe?

When taken by mouth: Lavender is LIKELY SAFE for most adults in food amounts. It's POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts. When taken by mouth, lavender may cause constipation, headache, and increased appetite.

Why is lavender bad for you?

Lavender oil and tea tree oil contain compounds that mimic or oppose the actions of sex hormones and may be considered endocrine disruptors. Persistent exposure to lavender products is associated with premature breast development in girls, according to new research by NIEHS scientists.

What does lavender do to the brain?

In electroencephalography (EEG) studies, inhalation of 10% lavender oil increased alpha and theta wave activity in the brain, patterns which are also consistent with relaxation and better mood. Evidence to date suggests short-term therapy with lavender is safe, but long-term safety data are lacking.

Does lavender increase estrogen?

Lavender oil and tea tree oil contain compounds that mimic or oppose the actions of sex hormones and may be considered endocrine disruptors. “These findings demonstrated that the two oils can have hormonal-like effects for estrogen and testosterone in the body,” said senior author Kenneth Korach, Ph.

Where do I put lavender oil for anxiety?

Once blended with a carrier oil, lavender essential oil can be massaged into your skin or added to your bath. You can also sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil onto a cloth or tissue and inhale its aroma, or add the oil to an aromatherapy diffuser or vaporizer.

Where do you rub lavender oil for anxiety?

in your stress. level so a few drops of lavender oil can actually be placed on the skin safely most essential oils you do not apply directly to the skin lavender oil is one of the exceptions. it's very gentle and can be applied right to your wrist.

Does lavender oil really work?

Benefits. Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to heal minor burns and bug bites. Research suggests that it may be useful for treating anxiety, insomnia, depression, and restlessness.

Is Lavender an antiviral?

Antimicrobial Properties of Lavender EO. Lavender EO showed antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus type 1 [17]; it has shown antibacterial activity to a much greater extent. In dermatology, lavender EO can be used to treat ulcers, burns, and scarring that are difficult to cure.

Is Lavender poisonous to dogs?

Lavender, the plant, does contain a small amount of a compound called linalool, which is toxic to both dogs and cats. ... If you suspect your dog has been poisoned by lavender, you should consult your veterinarian immediately to begin treatment.

Is Lavender bad for men?

D., a co-investigator for the new study, previously found laboratory evidence that lavender and tea tree oil have estrogenic (estrogen-like) properties and anti-androgenic (testosterone inhibiting-like) activities, meaning they compete or hinder the hormones that control male characteristics, which could affect puberty

Why is lavender bad for males?

Essential Oils May Disrupt Hormones of Young Boys. Researchers say lavender oil and tea tree oil may contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that cause abnormal breast growth in young boys. Researchers have found that chemicals in the oils, which are derived from plants, can cause disruptions to the endocrine system.

What happens if you drink lavender oil?

Lavender oil is generally not poisonous in adults when breathed in during aromatherapy or swallowed in smaller amounts. It may cause a reaction in children who swallow small amounts. The major effects are due to allergic reactions of the skin.

Does Lavender make you sleepy?

Essential oils can also be a powerful way to help you relax and sleep better. Although research on the use of essential oils is limited, lavender essential oil is widely recognized as a natural sleep aid. Researchers found that lavender increased the amount of slow- and deep-wave sleep in participants.

What are the side effects of lavender oil?

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth, lavender may cause constipation, headache, and increased appetite. When applied to the skin: Lavender is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin in medicinal amounts. It can sometimes cause irritation, although this is uncommon.

Does lavender have healing properties?

Benefits. Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to heal minor burns and bug bites. In addition to helping with digestive problems, lavender is used to help relieve pain from headaches, sprains, toothaches, and sores. It can also be used to prevent hair loss.

Does lavender enhance breast growth?

Lavender oil may contribute to abnormal breast growth in young girls. Abnormal breast growth in young girls is linked to lavender oil exposure, according to a recent study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Is lavender essential oil estrogenic?

A 2018 study by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) further substantiated this evidence – lavender and tea tree oil do have estrogenic (estrogen-like) properties and anti-androgenic (testosterone inhibiting-like) activities.

Can you take lavender oil orally?

Most commonly lavender is recommended for oral administration. Unlike many other essential oils used in aromatherapy, lavender oil is often applied undiluted to the skin.

How does lavender oil calm anxiety?

According to 2012 research, lavender aromatherapy is thought to calm anxiety by impacting the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions. How to use: Enjoy a relaxing lavender bath by combining several drops of lavender oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil or an unscented bath gel.

Is lavender good for depression?

Some animal studies have shown that certain essential oils may relieve psychological and physical symptoms linked to depression. One 2016 study showed that inhaled lavender improved the sleep cycle of people at college who experienced sleep disturbances, which can be an effect of depression.

Clinical Studies