Lavender- Useful Benefits of Using this Herb

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Lavender- Useful Benefits of Using this Herb

26 November 2007

Written by: steve Posted under Herbal Medicines

Taxonomic class

Lamiaceae

Common Trade Names

Essent Oil Lavandin, Essent Oil Lavender, Lavender, Lavender Flowers, Massage Oil Lavender

Common Forms

Available as flowers, leaves, and oils. Also included in cosmetic preparations, such as body mist, shower gel, conditioner, and deodorant.

Source

The flowering tops and stalks of Lavandula officinalis and other Lavandula species (L. latifolia, L. angustifolia, L. stoechas) are widely used for their active components. Native to the Mediterranean, lavenders are widely cultivated in American gardens for their color and fragrance. (Lavandin is a hybrid of spike lavender and true lavender.)

Chemical components

Lavender consists of essential oils, mainly monoterpenes. More than 100 compounds are identified in the oil, principally linaloyl acetate, linalool, and tannins; other compounds include ocimene, cineola, camphor, coumarins, flavonoids, phytosterols, pinene, limonene, caproic acid, and perillyl alcohol. Lavender oil, spike lavender oil, and lavadin oil are volatile oils that contain varying amounts of similar compounds.

Actions

Lavender was found to cause CNS depressant effects, anticonvulsant activity, and potentiation of sedative effects of chloral hydrate in rats. Spike lavender oil has been reported to exert a spasmolytic effect on animal smooth muscle, and L. stoechas caused hypoglycemia in normoglycemic rats.

Lavender oil fed to rats was found to cause regression of mammary tumors. The active ingredient has been suggested to be perillyl alcohol. The National Cancer Institute is examining this agent in phase II clinical trials in patients with advanced cancers of the breast, ovary, and prostate .

In vitro studies report promising results of topical lavender use to eradicate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycinÂresistant Enterococcus faecium . No clinical trials are available to confirm these results.

Reported Uses

Lavender is regarded by herbalists as a sedative to treat insomnia and restlessness. Other claims include its use in upper abdominal discomfort associated with nervousness, as an appetite stimulant, and to treat migraine headaches and neuralgia. Lavender has also been used as an astringent to treat minor cuts, bruises, and burns and for pain associated with strained muscles. It has been used as an indoor scent to induce a calming effect.

Dosage

Astringent (external): 20 to 100 g of lavender added to 7.7 gal (20 L) of water to avoid too strong a scent.

Lavender tea: 1 to 2 tsp in 150 ml of hot water; steep for about 10 minutes.

Oil (internal): 1 to 4 gtt of oil on a sugar cube.

Adverse Reactions

With ingestion of large doses

CNS: CNS depression, confusion, drowsiness, euphoria, mental dullness, headache.

EENT: miosis.

GI: constipation, nausea, vomiting.

Respiratory: respiratory depression.

Skin: contact dermatitis.

Interactions

CNS sedatives (alcohol, benzodiazepines, narcotics): May potentiate sedative effects. Avoid administration with lavender.

Contraindications and precautions

Lavender is contraindicated in pregnant or breast-feeding patients and in those taking sedatives.

Special considerations

Alert Lavender oil should be considered potentially poisonous. No more than 2 drops of the volatile oil should be consumed. Large doses are reported to exert narcotic-like effects.

Monitor the patient using lavender and other sedatives for excessive sedation.

Inform the patient suffering from insomnia that sedatives and hypnotic drugs with known risks and benefits are available. Also suggest techniques other than drug therapy (such as behavior modification, light therapy, and regular bedtime) to combat insomnia.

Advise women to avoid using lavender during pregnancy or when breast – feeding.

Points of Interest

Lavender has been used in small concentrations to flavor food, but it is cultivated mainly for use as a perfume or potpourri and in decorations.

France is a major producer of lavender products.

Commentary

Lavender has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, but clinical evidence of its efficacy for any disease or condition is inadequate. Controlled studies are needed before its use can be recommended.