The Scent of Peace: Lavender
One of the most iconic and most often requested essential oils in our massage therapy sessions is Lavender (lavandula angustifolia). It is obtained through steam-distillation of the flowers of the Lavender plant. Clients who are in need of relaxation often request it as their go-to oil for massage sessions. Certainly, Lavender is best-known for its relaxing properties, but there are many other uses for this classic oil. Here are seven of the myriad of benefits of Lavender oil:
Relaxation and Anti-anxiety: The first and most well-known use, relaxation is one of Lavender’s top therapeutic benefits. Chemical components of lavender, linalool and linalyl acetate, have been shown to have a significant sedative effect as well as alleviating anxiety and nervous tension.(3) Both chemicals give lavender its sweet, floral aroma. Linalool also has a mild euphoric effect.(6) In a study by Kasper and colleagues, Lavender was shown to have a significant beneficial influence on quality and duration of sleep (5), especially without the potent side-effects of usual sleep medications. Some research showed that taking lavender oil orally improved anxiety and sleep and prevented anxiety recurrence in people with mild-to-severe anxiety.(4) Other studies have shown that lavender taken orally does have anti-anxiety effects in conditions of low anxiety.(5) Another study demonstrated anxiolytic activity of lavender oil aromatherapy in patients in intensive care units. Significant anti-anxiety effects were noted in the 1st treatment (though subsequent treatments did not appear to be as effective).(5)
Anti-depressive: In a 4-week randomized, double-blind study, researchers compared the effectiveness of Lavender taken orally versus imipramine (a tricyclic anti-depressant) in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. The combination of imipramine and lavender was more effective than the medication alone. Lavender may be of beneficial in managing mild to moderate depression as an enhancement concurrent with anti-depressant medication.(5)
Pain relief: Lavender is purported to reduce pain3 locally and centrally. This means that when Lavender is applied to the skin, it reduces pain locally at the spot where Lavender is applied, and through inhalation, reduces pain via effects on the central nervous system. The chemical component terpinen-4-ol has topical analgesic effects and, along with another chemical component, camphor, acts as a mild local anesthetic.(7,8) This gives Lavender the ability to relieve muscular pain, headache pain and the itching of insect bites.(1)
Promotes healing: Especially in the case of burns, small cuts, acne and eczema, Lavender can help stimulate the growth of new cells.1(,2) Additionally, Lavender promotes healing through the action of the chemical component terpinen-4-ol, which gives broad-spectrum anti-bacterial, anti-infectious, anti-fungal action.(8)
Digestive Effects: Lavender can normalize the blood sugar output by the liver. Additionally, for those in need of a little appetite control, 1-2 drops taken 15 minutes before a meal noticeably reduces the appetite.(1)
Hair growth: In the condition alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease that typically causes patchy hair loss on the scalp, face or body), there is some evidence that applying lavender oil in combination with oils of thyme, rosemary, and cedarwood might improve hair growth by as much as 44%.(4)
Insect repellent: One of the chemical components of Lavender, camphor, is believed to be toxic to insects and enables Lavender to be used as an insect repellent, particularly against fleas, fruit flies and cockroaches.(7)
Contraindications
NOTE: The effective oral dose of Lavender oil is suggested to be 20–80 mg per day,5 the equivalent to 1-4 drops per day. Excessive oral intake of Lavender oil has been reported to cause nausea and drowsiness.(5)
If Lavender is ingested orally, it must be a therapeutic food-grade oil; otherwise, even with oils marketed as natural, organic or pure there is still risk of impurity or adulteration of the oil that makes it harmful for ingestion. Moreover, ingestion of essential oils should be done under the close supervision of a doctor and a certified aromatherapist; some essential oils can interact with medications or exacerbate medical conditions, and can even prove toxic taken in large quantities (just like any drug would be).
There is suggestion that weak estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities of Lavender oil may contribute to an imbalance in estrogen and androgen pathway signaling with excessive topical use.(5) Lavender can potentially act as an endocrine disruptor, elevating estrogen and inhibiting male androgen.
Purchase Lavender essential oil or other beneficial essential oils at our trusted, organic and sustainably sourced essential oil supplier Aromatics International.
Sources
Schnaubelt, K. Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy. Healing Arts Press 1995: Rochester.
Worwood, V. The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy. New World Library 1991: Novato.
Buckle, J. Clinical Aromatherapy in Nursing. Singular Publishing Group, Inc. 1997: San Diego.
Appleton, J., “Lavender Oil for Anxiety and Depression: Review of the literature on the safety and efficacy of lavender”. Natural Medicine Journal online. February 2012. http://naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2012-02/lavender-oil-anxiety-and-depression-0
