Lavender Oil (Lavandula officinalis) applications, active ingredients and how to use
Lavender Oil (Lavandula officinalis)
Introduction
Found worldwide, lavender has a pleasant, woody
fragranceand 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 , which some
consider inferior to lavender
Applications
Topically:
• Antiseptic (undiluted)
• Wounds.
Lavender honey (bees fed off lavender plants) found
very effective
Catriona Jones
(November 2011). "The efficacy of lavender oil on perineal trauma: A review of
the evidence___". Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 17(4):
• In massage oil lavender relaxes muscles and eases tension.
In
aromatherapy:
Lavender oil is used in:
• Autoimmune disease
•
Depression
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]
(PMID:16520572)
Link
• Amenorrhea
• Burns, Acne, Rashes, Athlete's foot, insect bites, prevent
scarring
• Arthritis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Psoriasis
• Vaginitis
• Insomnia -
Women receiving aromatherapy experienced a significant improvement in sleep
quality.
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
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]
(PMID:16520572)
Link
• Pain
• Palpitations
• Anxiety and nervousness
Kasper, S;
Gastpar, M; Müller, WE; Volz, HP; Möller, 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.
doi : 10.1097/YIC.0b013e32833b3242 .
PMID 20512042 .
• Skin cancer
• Osteomalacia
• Facial ulcers
Lavender's 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
