Lavender essential oil (Lavandula officinalis) - Ommmmmmm / Zzzzzzzzzzz
Found worldwide, lavender has a pleasant, woody fragrance and its oil has medicinal benefits. Used in aromatherapy, flower remedies, and herbal medicine. It is also one of the few oils that can be directly applied to the skin without dilution.
The lavandins Lavandula x intermedia ) are a class of hybrids of L. angustifolia and L. latifolia. Generally considered inferior to lavender
Applications of lavender e.o.
Topically
- Antiseptic (undiluted)
- Wounds. Lavender honey (bees fed off lavender plants) found very effective. Catriona Jones, 2011
- In massage oil lavender relaxes muscles and eases tension.
In aromatherapy
Lavender oil is used in:
- Anxiety and nervousness. Kasper S et al, 2010
- Depression. Lee IS, Lee GJ et al, 2006
- Insomnia – Women receiving aromatherapy experienced a significant improvement in sleep quality. LLi-Wei Chien, et al, 2012; Lee IS, Lee GJ et al, 2006
- Autoimmune disease
- Amenorrhea
- Burns, Acne, Rashes, Athlete’s foot, insect bites, prevent scarring
- Arthritis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Psoriasis
- Vaginitis
- Pain
- Palpitations
- Skin cancer
- Osteomalacia
- Facial ulcers
Lavender e.o. active ingredients
- Natural alcohol linalool. Providesantiseptic / antimicrobial properties; helps burns, wounds, acne, sores
- Ketones. Reduce pain / inflammation and help induce sleep
- Esters (incl. Acetate ester of linalool / linalyl acetate). Reduce soreness and swelling, prevent muscle spasms, anti-fungal, prevent scarring; also relieve tension, depression, hysteria and help regulate moods
- Aldehydes. Responsible for its aroma and soothing properties
Lavender e.o delivery methods
- Diffuse
- Direct application to skin. On sores, cuts
- Massage oil. Dilute 10 drops lavender e.o. to 30ml carrier oil (E.g. grapeseed, almond oil)
- Add to permumes, soaps, bath oils/salts
- Add to shampoos (prevents dandruff)and hair sheen final rinse(with lemon oil and water, allow 30 mins to combine)
- Add to herbal salves
Dried lavender herb
Dried lavender is used in sachets placed under pillows to aid sleep and calmness
References
Catriona Jones (November 2011). “The efficacy of lavender oil on perineal trauma: A review of the evidence. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 17(4) PubMed
Li-Wei Chien, Su LiCheng, and Chi Feng Liu, “The Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on Autonomic Nervous System in Midlife Women with Insomnia,”Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2012, Article ID 740813, 8 pages, 2012. doi:10.1155/2012/740813; PubMed
Lee IS, Lee GJ Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe chi [2006, 36(1):136-143] PubMed
Kasper, S; Gastpar, M; Mailler, WE; Volz, HP; Mailler, HJ; Dienel, A; Schläfke, S (2010). “Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of ‘subsyndromal’ anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial”. International clinical psychopharmacology 25(5): 277-87. PMID20512042. PubMed
