Lynn Smythe
Herbs at a Glance - Lavender
November 26th 2007 07:23
Lavender Flowers
This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb lavender—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region. It was used in ancient Egypt as part of the process for mummifying bodies. Lavender’s use as a bath additive originated in Persia, Greece, and Rome. The herb’s name comes from the Latin lavare, which means “to wash.”
Common Names—lavender, English lavender, garden lavender
Latin Name—Lavandula angustifolia
What It Is Used For
• Historically, lavender was used as an antiseptic and for mental health purposes.
• Today, the herb is used for conditions such as anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and depression.
• Lavender is also used for headache, upset stomach, and hair loss.
How It Is Used
• Lavender is most commonly used in aromatherapy, in which the scent of the essential oil from the flowers is inhaled.
• The essential oil can also be diluted with another oil and applied to the skin.
• Dried lavender flowers can be used to make teas or liquid extracts that can be taken by mouth.
What the Science Says
• There is little scientific evidence of lavender’s effectiveness for most health uses.
• Small studies on lavender for anxiety show mixed results.
• Some preliminary results indicate that lavender oil, combined with oils from other herbs, may help with hair loss from a condition called alopecia areata.
Side Effects and Cautions
• Topical use of diluted lavender oil or use of lavender as aromatherapy is generally considered safe for most adults. However, applying lavender oil to the skin can cause irritation.
• Lavender oil is poisonous if taken by mouth.
• When lavender teas and extracts are taken by mouth, they may cause headache, changes in appetite, and constipation.
• Using lavender with sedative medications may increase drowsiness.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
Sources
Lavender. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on December 28, 2006.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at
http://www.naturalstandard.com on December 28, 2006.
Lavender flower. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:226-229.
This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.
National Institutes of Health
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Comment by What's Your Story?
What's Your Story?
Big Day Plunge
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I also love Lavender. I grow it around the edge of my al fresco courtyard. I grow two types, English and French/European Lavender. They are bush's now and produce the best smells on summer nights.
Burning Lavender incense, can lift illness and headaches in the house within minutes... it can lift the mood too after family arguments... and is perfect for sick rooms.
Nothing like a good drop of the oil added to furniture polish to freshen a room or the bath to nutralise sunburn and cleanse the skin.
I cut the fresh stuff and put it around the bedhead if there is a pesky mozzie in the room, they hate it ... scorpions don't like the stuff either, the oil is too volatile for them and they scuttle off a mile in the other direction.
I love the delicate flowers.
Nice post.
Lilla ...
Comment by Lynn Smythe
The Pagan Path
I Love Herbs
I have problems growing lavender - I live in SE Florida and it is a bit too hot and humid down here during the summer for a lot of herbs to survive.
Every so often I can find lavender plants in bloom at our local home improvement center - so I can enjoy it for a few weeks/months before the plants die.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I am also in the same type of climate here in SE Queensland, so I suggest you try the French Lavender planted in the shade, mostly. Mine get about two hours of sun, but then the roof of the courtyard shades them. They like friends around too - I noticed - that they hate to be grown alone?
I chop them back quite harshly every winter (which here is about a one week window) *chuckle* I guess the same there too...however, they love it. and I have four foot high bushes now that are not woody at all... but they seldom flower either, I guess they feel too weel looked after? *lol*
I add sticks of lavender to my dried sage for smudging - and it smells delicious - as you say.
Lilla ...