What is lavender used for

Researchers have also studied whether lavender might help to alleviate premenstrual emotional symptoms. Many women of reproductive age experience a range of symptoms in the premenstrual phase, commonly known as premenstrual syndrome PMS. Even though PMS is common, no single treatment is universally recognized as effective. As a result, many women turn to alternative therapies, such as aromatherapy. This crossover study involved 17 women, aged on average The participants spent one menstrual cycle with no lavender aromatherapy treatment, and another undergoing lavender aromatherapy.

One study found that lavender fragrance could have a beneficial effect on insomnia and depression in female college students. It is sold as a supplement only and should not replace any prescribed course of treatment. If you choose to use this essential oil, the FDA does not monitor these products. There may be concerns about purity, safety, or quality. Only purchase essential oils from reputable companies.

If you are already taking the above, seek medical advice before adding lavender to your drug regimen. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine NEJM revealed that repeated use of lavender oil on the skin might trigger prepubertal gynecomastia , a condition that causes enlarged breast tissue in boys before puberty. The safety of taking lavender during pregnancy or while breast-feeding has also not been confirmed. Discuss any use of essential oils, herbs, or supplements with your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

As lavender is thought to slow down the central nervous system , doctors advise patients to stop using lavender at least 2 weeks before surgery.

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Several studies have tested lavender's anxiety-reducing effects in specific populations. In addition, a pilot study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice in indicates that lavender-essential-oil-based aromatherapy may help soothe anxiety in high-risk postpartum women.

In an experiment involving 28 women who had given birth in the previous 18 months, researchers found that four weeks of twice-weekly, minute-long aromatherapy sessions helped alleviate depression in addition to lowering anxiety levels. There's also some evidence that ingesting lavender oil may help relieve anxiety. A more recent review of the literature found 5 studies , , , and showed benefits ins participants with moderate to severe anxiety.

Several studies have shown lavender essential oil may help promote sleep and fight insomnia. A study published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine found a combination of sleep hygiene techniques and lavender essential oil therapy helped college students get a better night's sleep than sleep hygiene alone.

The study of 79 students with self-reported sleep problems also found inhaling lavender at bedtime improved daytime energy and vibrancy. A study published in Holistic Nursing Practice confirms lavender's effect on sleep. In this study of 30 residents of a nursing home, lavender aromatherapy was found to improve sleep onset, quality, and duration in an elderly population.

Lavender essential oil may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction in some individuals. If you experience nausea, vomiting, or a headache after using lavender, discontinue use immediately.

Because consuming lavender essential oil can have toxic effects, this remedy should not be ingested unless under the supervision of a medical professional. There is no recommended daily allowance for lavender essential oil. According to the principles of aromatherapy, breathing in the scent of lavender essential oil or applying lavender essential oil to the skin transmits messages to the limbic system, a brain region known to influence the nervous system and help regulate emotion.

One popular approach involves combining lavender oil with a carrier oil such as jojoba or sweet almond. Once blended with a carrier oil, lavender essential oil can be massaged into your skin or added to your bath.

You can also sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil onto a cloth or tissue and inhale its aroma, or add the oil to an aromatherapy diffuser or vaporizer. Essential oils are not regulated by the FDA and do not have to meet any purity standards.

When buying pure lavender essential oil, check the label for its Latin name, Lavandula angustifolia. No other oils or ingredients should be listed. If you see another oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil, the lavender is diluted and should not be used in a diffuser.

Essential oils should be packaged in a dark amber or cobalt bottle and stored out of sunlight. Many essential oil proponents recommend using a combination of lavender, lemon, and peppermint oil to relieve allergy symptoms, and claim that lavender is a natural antihistamine. Read on to learn about possible health benefits of lavender, as well as other uses and potential risks that come with using the herb.

In ancient times, lavender was used as a holy herb. Additionally, it was often used to freshen up and give a light scent to a variety of personal items, such as clothes and hair.

Today, lavender is more than just a fragrant plant. As it turns out, this herb is also commonly used for medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Insomnia is a nagging problem that keeps you tossing and turning throughout the night. Cutting out caffeine and getting more exercise might help induce sleep. As a result, you end up a groggy mess in the daytime. Just be sure not to ingest it, or any other essential oil, for that matter, as doing so may pose health harms.

A variety of essential oils are also excellent for dermatology use, including lavender. In fact, if you have acne, eczema , or skin inflammation, applying lavender oil to affected areas may play a role in treating blemishes and ease inflammation, according to a paper published in May in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Some people reach for over-the-counter pain relievers when dealing with acute or chronic pain.

And depending on the severity of pain, you might seek a prescription from your doctor. Before going the traditional route to help ease pain, try aromatherapy with 2 percent lavender essential oil that is diluted in water. One study found lavender to be an effective remedy for postoperative pain. It can function as a pain reliever because the oil contains linalyl acetate and linalool — anti-inflammatory components that are found in many essential oils.

Lavender also contains polysaccharides. Meanwhile, other research suggests lavender aromatherapy may be used during labor to reduce the intensity, though not the duration of, pain. Chronic high blood pressure puts added stress on the heart, increasing the risk of health complications like stroke and heart attack. But a small study published in in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research found that when 40 people inhaled lavender essential oil after open-heart surgery, they reduced their blood pressure and heart rate, suggesting the oil had a positive effect on their vital signs.

Because of the anti-inflammatory effects of lavender, it may also improve bronchial asthma. A study on mice published in July in the journal Life Sciences found that lavender essential oil had a positive impact on respiratory health, relieving allergic inflammation and mucus hyperplasia.

Whether the same effect would be seen in humans remains unclear. Hot flashes or hot flushes are a common menopause symptom that affects many women. It causes a sudden feeling of heat over the body, and it can make the face flushed and trigger perspiration. But lavender aromatherapy for 20 minutes twice a day may help reduce menopause flashing and improve quality of life, according to a study published in September in the Journal of Chinese Medical Association.

There are also a number of studies highlighting the potential antifungal activity of lavender. Studies suggest lavender essential oil may be effective in inhibiting the growth of certain types of fungus, such as C. In yet another study, lavender essential oil applied to the backs of mice once a day, five times a week, for four weeks, resulted in an increase in their number of hair follicles and a thicker dermal layer.

This leads researchers to believe that lavender could potentially be used as a hair growth promoting agent, though more research is needed. Everyday stresses can take a toll on your mental health. The greater your anxiety level, the higher the risk for headaches, depression, and low energy.

The good news is that lavender may help lift the black cloud hanging over your head and give your mental outlook a much-needed pick-me-up.

For example, a randomized controlled trial published in February in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that premenstrual syndrome symptoms improved in women who inhaled lavender essential oil. Likewise, another randomized controlled trial, published in October in the International Journal of Nursing Practices , found that reflexology massage treatments with lavender essential oil offered psychological benefits, decreasing both anxiety and depression.

Lavender Oil Nectar extracted from the flowering plant is used to create a fragrant oil.