Lavender herb benefits
Benefits of using lavender
relieve anxiety
A systematic review published in Phytomedicine in 2019, which included about 90 studies, indicated that: that consumption of a certain type of lavender oil (which has been titrated so that linalyl acetate and linalool make up 35% of the oil); significantly reduced anxiety.
Reducing menstrual cramps
One of the benefits of lavender for the uterus is that it helps relieve dysmenorrhea. A study published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine in 2014 included 96 women suffering from dysmenorrhea; The inhalation of lavender oil contributed to relieving the symptoms of dysmenorrhea and did not cause side effects in the women who used it during the experiment.
Pain relief after surgery
A study published in the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research in 2018, and included 60 patients; Inhaling lavender oil can help relieve pain in the first days after artery bypass surgery.
Reducing the risk of falling in the elderly
Some scientific evidence has shown that placing a pad containing lavender oil on the neckline of clothing can reduce the risk of the elderly falling in nursing homes. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 2012, and included 45 elderly people, indicated that are 65 years of age or older; Stimulating the sense of smell with lavender helped reduce the risk of falls and agitation among residents of nursing homes, but more research is needed to confirm these results.
relieve mental agitation
There is conflicting evidence about the effectiveness of inhaling lavender in relieving agitation. Some studies indicate that inhaling the herb lavender can improve agitation and agitation in people with Alzheimer’s disease, but this is not completely confirmed yet, as other studies have not found any effect of lavender.
A small, preliminary, and unconfirmed study indicated; It included 15 patients suffering from severe dementia, and it was published in the International Journal of geriatric psychiatry in 2002 that inhaling lavender oil slightly contributed to relieving agitation in participants, but it should be noted that this study is very small and insufficient to confirm the effect of lavender in these cases.
Lavender herb benefits
For more information about the benefits of natural herbs, you can read the article Benefits of natural herbs
relieve depression
There are conflicting results regarding the effect of inhaling lavender oil in relieving depression. Some research has indicated that it may relieve depression, but other studies have shown that its effect may not be enough. Examples of studies conducted on this subject are; A study published in the Journal of Complementary therapies in medicine in 2020, which included 60 elderly people, during which it was noted that those who consumed herbal lavender tea had a decrease in the severity of depression and anxiety.
However, another study published in the journal Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry and included 45 patients with mental disorders, found that despite the benefit of lavender; However, it may not be enough on its own to relieve depression, and the researchers recommended during this study that other studies be conducted on a larger scale to better understand the effect of lavender on depression.
relieving colic
A preliminary, unconfirmed study of 40 infants aged 6-12 months, published in the International Journal of Nursing practice in 2012, indicated that: Although massage with lavender oil may help relieve colic symptoms in infants, this study is small and uncertain, and more studies are still needed to confirm it.
It is also worth noting that it may be unsafe to massage male children with lavender before they reach puberty, you can read more about this in the section on lavender harm.
Help lower blood pressure
In a small study of 32 patients, published in the International Journal of Public Health Science in 2016; Inhaling lavender oil may have an effect in lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with high blood pressure, and it is worth noting that this study is small and insufficient to confirm this effect.
relieve insomnia
An observational study published in PalArch’s Journal of Archeology of Egypt/Egyptology in 2020 indicated that inhaling lavender oil can reduce stress levels and help maintain a regular sleep cycle, but this study is not confirmed, as it is only observational. More robust studies are still needed to confirm this effect.
lice control
A study of 123 people with head lice, published in the journal BMC dermatology in 2010, indicated that: That 97.6% of people who used products containing lavender oil with tea tree oil, according to the instructions on the product, getting rid of lice, so the researchers indicated in the study that these products may be a suitable alternative to some products based on chemical compounds.
Migraine relief
A study published in European Neurology in 2012, which included 47 participants; In addition, inhaling lavender oil may relieve more severe migraine attacks compared to people who have not inhaled lavender oil.
Osteoarthritis pain relief
A study published in the Journal of Complementary therapies in clinical practice in 2016, and included 90 participants; that massage with lavender essential oil relieved pain in people with osteoarthritis in the knee more than using other types of oils; Within a week of using it, but after 4 weeks of using it, its effect was not different from the rest of the oils, so the researchers in this study indicated that more studies are still needed to understand the effect of lavender oil in relieving osteoarthritis pain.
Reducing labor pain
A study of 120 women, published in the Journal of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice in 2016; Inhaling lavender extract may help relieve labor pain in women.
Restless legs syndrome relief
Restless leg syndrome is defined as a disorder that causes leg discomfort and an irresistible desire to move the legs. A study published in Nursing and midwifery studies in 2015 included 70 patients undergoing dialysis; He concluded that massage with lavender oil may contribute to improving the symptoms of restless leg syndrome in dialysis patients, and it did not cause any negative effects in them.
stress relief
A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2011, and included 30 people who did not suffer from any diseases; Inhaling lavender oil can significantly reduce stress levels.
Lavender herb benefits
Lavender content of beneficial compounds
The lavender herb is also known as lavender, and this herb contains many health-beneficial compounds, including the following:
- polyphenol compounds; As rosmarinic acid.
- flavonoids; such as apigenin, and volatile aromatics.
- Polysaccharides
- Linalyl acetate and linalool; which are found in the oil extracted from the lavender herb; These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties and are found in many essential oils.
It should be noted that it is necessary to consult a health care provider before starting to use the lavender herb, as it should not be used for people with some health conditions
Lavender side effects
Lavender safety grade
The herb lavender is often considered safe in the amounts used in food for most adults, and it is possible to use it in large quantities – such as found in its extracts – when taken orally, applied to the skin, or inhaled, It should be noted that lavender oil The essential oil is toxic when ingested, and can cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction in some people. If you feel nausea, vomiting, or headache after using lavender, you should stop using it immediately. In the following, we mention the degree of safety of the lavender herb in the following cases:
- Breastfeeding pregnant: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of consuming lavender during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it is advised to stay on the safe side and avoid its use during this period.
- Children: It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to apply products containing lavender oil to the skin for male children who have not yet reached puberty.
Contraindications to the use of lavender
Some people may suffer from certain conditions that require caution and attention when using lavender. Among these cases, we mention the following:
- Those who will undergo surgeries: Lavender can slow down the work of the central nervous system, so it is believed that its use with anesthesia and medications are given during and after surgery may cause a significant slowdown in the work of the central nervous system, so it is advised to stop using it at least two weeks before the scheduled surgery date.
- Heart patients: As the effect of lavender on the nervous system may be harmful to people with heart disease, these patients should not use lavender unless after consulting a doctor or health care provider.
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Drug interactions with the lavender herb
Lavender herb may interact with some types of medicines, causing some problems, and we mention among these medicines the following:
- Chloral hydrate.
- Antihypertensive drugs.
- Barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
- CNS depressants, sedative drugs.
Frequently asked questions about lavender
What are the uses of lavender herbs?
Lavender has many uses, as it is used as a flavoring in foods and beverages, [26] and lavender leaves and flowers are frequently used with salads, spices, fruit desserts, and jellies in the regions where they grow, Moreover, lavender is used as an ingredient Scented to add a sweet scent to soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, dried roses, and in flower and garden arrangements.
Is lavender good for women?
as we mentioned before; The lavender herb may be beneficial for women, and among the benefits that it may offer to women, in particular, we mention the following:
- Reducing menstrual cramps
- Reduce labor pain
- Reducing menopausal symptoms.
- Pain relief after cesarean delivery.
Lavender herb benefits
What are the permissible doses of lavender?
In the following, we mention the doses that were used in some experiments and studies for the following cases:
- Anxiety relief: 80-160 mg of a specific lavender oil product has been used daily for 6-10 weeks, and 500 mg of dried lavender flowers have been used twice daily for 8 weeks.
- Reducing depression: 80 mg of a specific lavender oil product has been used daily for 6 weeks, and 60 drops of the diluted lavender extract have been used daily for 4 weeks.
Lavender herb benefits
Lavender products are available
Lavender has many forms, including:
lavender oil
The extract of the flowering lavender plant is used in the production of lavender essential oil, and it should be noted that lavender oil should be used with caution, and should not be ingested.
As for its topical use, it is necessary to dilute any type of essential oil with a carrier oil, as it is possible to mix a few drops of lavender oil with one of the carrier oils before using it on the skin, such as coconut oil, or jojoba oil. It is also recommended to test a small area of the skin to find out. How the skin interacts with diluted lavender oil, and undiluted lavender oil should never be used on the skin, as this can cause skin irritation and inflammation. Put it in an aroma diffuser.
Lavender Capsules & Supplements
Lavender can be purchased as a dietary supplement in capsule form and should be consumed as directed on the accompanying label. It should be noted that dietary supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and there are no standardized dosages for dietary supplements.
lavender tea
The lavender herb can be prepared for drinking, as it is considered a calming beverage, as it can help relieve anxiety and enhance the ability to sleep, and it can be prepared by soaking ready-made lavender tea bags in hot water, or prepared from the same herb, by pouring one cup of Boil half a teaspoon of lavender buds in boiling water, and let it steep for a few minutes.
Lavender tea can be prepared by adding one or two teaspoons of the whole lavender herb in 235 milliliters of boiling water, and this tea is allowed to be drunk one to three times daily.
As mentioned previously, lavender has potential nervous system effects, so a caregiver should be consulted before using any form of lavender for people with heart disease, certain underlying health conditions, and people who take medications regularly.
