Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)

Photo copyright Steven Foster

Parts used and where grown: The fragrant flowers of lavender contain the medicinal compounds. Eastern European countries, particularly Bulgaria, grow large quantities of lavender, as well as France, Britain, Australia, and Russia.

In what conditions might lavender be supportive?

• insomnia

• pregnancy and postpartum support

• stress

Historical or traditional use: Traditionally, herbalists used lavender for a variety of conditions of the nervous system, including depression and fatigue.¹ It has also been used for headache and rheumatism. Because of its delightful odor, lavender has found wide application in perfumes and cosmetics throughout history.

Active constituents: The volatile or essential oil of lavender contains many medicinal components, including perillyl alcohol, linalool, and geraniol. The oil is calming² and thus can be helpful in some cases of insomnia. One study of elderly persons with sleeping troubles found that inhaling lavender oil was as effective as tranquilizers.³ A large study found that although lavender oil added to a bath was not more effective than placebo for relieving perineal discomfort immediately after childbirth, pain was reduced three to five days afterward.⁴ Linalool and other constituents of lavender tend to lower blood pressure in animals, but this has not been confirmed in humans.⁵ Test-tube studies suggest linalool, geraniol, and other parts of the oil have significant antibacterial and antifungal activity, but there are no studies in people to confirm these findings.⁶

How much should I take? For internal applications, 1–2 ml of tincture can be taken twice or three times per day. Preferably, a tea should be made, by steeping 2 U.S. teaspoons (10 grams) of leaves in 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water for fifteen minutes. Three cups can be drunk each day. Several drops of the oil can be added to a bath or diluted in vegetable oil for topical applications. The concentrated oil is not for internal use. Synthetic oils should be avoided, as they are less effective than true lavender oil.⁷

Are there any side effects or interactions? Internal use of the essential oil can cause severe nausea and other problems, and for this reason should be strictly avoided. Excessive intake may cause drowsiness. External use is safe during pregnancy and lactation in reasonable amounts; internal use is of unknown safety at these times.

References:

1. Hoffmann D. The New Holistic Herbal, 2d ed. Rockport, MA: Element, 1990, 210.
2. Buchbauer G, Jirovetz L, Jager W, et al. Aromatherapy: Evidence for sedative effects of the essential oil of lavender after inhalation. Z Naturforsch [C] 1991;46:1067–72.
3. Hardy M, Kirk-Smith MD, Stretch DD. Replacement of drug therapy for insomnia by ambient odour. Lancet 1995;346:701 [letter].
4. Dale A, Cornwell S. The role of lavender oil in relieving perineal discomfort following childbirth: A blind randomized trial. J Adv Nursing 1994;19:89–96.
5. Tisserand R, Balacs T. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. Edinburgh, UK: Churchill Livingstone, 1995, 65.
6. Pattnaik S, Subramanyam VR, Bapaji M, Kole CR. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of aromatic constituents of essential oils. Microbios 1997;89:39–46.
7. Dale A, Cornwell S. The role of lavender oil in relieving perineal discomfort following childbirth: A blind randomized trial. J Adv Nursing 1994;19:89–96.

 

Copyright © 1998 Virtual Health, LLC

The information presented in HealthNotes Online is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your physician, nutritionally-oriented health care practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications.