This article provides general nutrition information only and is not medical advice.

Overview

Lavender is an herb. The flower and the oil of lavender are used to make medicine.

Lavender is commonly used for stress, stress, and sleep quality. It is also used for low mood, dementia, pain after surgery, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.

In foods and beverages, lavender is used as a flavor component.

In manufacturing, lavender is used in pharmaceutical products and as a fragrance ingredient in soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, potpourri, and decorations.

Lavender (scientific name Lavandula angustifolia) is commonly contaminated with related species, including Lavandula hybrida, which is a cross between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia, from which lavandin oil is obtained.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Herb

Primary Functions:

Stress, stress, sleep quality

Also Known As:

Alhucema, Common Lavender, English Lavender, French Lavender

How Does It Work?

Lavender contains an oil that seems to have sedating effects and might relax certain muscles. It also seems to have botanical compounds and antifungal effects.

Uses

• Stress. Limited research shows that taking lavender oil by mouth might improve concerns in some people with stress. It's unclear if lavender aromaroutine improves stress. Some research shows benefit, while other research does not.
• Low mood. Research shows that lavender aromaroutine may improve concerns in some people with low mood. Taking lavender by mouth might also help. While taking lavender appears to be slightly less effective than the antidepressant drug imipramine, taking the two in combination might be more beneficial than taking the drug alone.
• Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Lavender oil aromaroutine massages reduce pain associated with menstruation in some young women better than regular massages. Also, inhaling lavender oil for the first 3 days of menstruation seems to reduce stomach pain and backache in women with menstrual pain.
• Pain after surgery. Some research shows that inhaling lavender essence while receiving pain killers intravenously (by IV) can help reduce pain in women after a C-section. Other research shows that inhaling lavender for 3 minutes every 6 hours can lessen pain and reduce the need to use acetaminophen after a tonsillectomy in children 6-12 years old.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS

BY MOUTH:

• Stress: 80-160 mg of a specific lavender oil ingredient (Silexan, Dr Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG) has been taken daily for 6-10 weeks. 500 mg of dried, powdered lavender flowers has been taken twice daily for 8 weeks.
• Low mood: 80 mg of a specific lavender oil ingredient (Silexan, Dr Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG) has been taken daily for 6 weeks. 60 drops of a diluted lavender tincture have been taken daily for 4 weeks.

INHALED AS AROMATHERAPY:

• Stress: 8 drops of an oil blend containing 2% lavender and rose essential oil has been applied to a cotton pad and inhaled for 15 minutes twice weekly for 4 weeks. The lavender and rose oil formulation was prepared by diluting 2 drops of an essential oil blend containing 75% lavender oil and 25% rose oil diluted in 5 mL of jojoba oil. 3 drops of lavender essential oil has been applied to a cotton pad and inhaled for 5 minutes daily for 1 month. 2 drops of lavender oil have been applied to a cotton pad and kept by the pillow overnight for 1 week. 3 drops of lavender oil have been applied to on a cotton pad and inhaled 30 minutes. Lavender oil has been diffused through a waiting room for 15 minutes.
• Low mood: 8 drops of an oil blend containing 2% lavender and rose essential oil has been applied to a cotton pad and inhaled for 15 minutes twice weekly for 4 weeks. The lavender and rose oil formulation was prepared by diluting 2 drops of an essential oil blend containing 75% lavender oil and 25% rose oil diluted in 5 mL of jojoba oil. 5 mL of an aromaroutine oil containing lavender, sweet orange, and bergamot has been massaged into the upper body twice weekly for 8 weeks.
• Menstrual pain: Applying 3 drops of lavender oil to the hands and inhaling every 6 hours or placing 3 drops of oil onto a piece of cotton and inhaling for 30 minutes daily for the first 3 days of menstruation has been used. Also, 2 mL of lavender oil applied on the abdomen for 15 minutes as part of an aromaroutine massage has been used during a menstrual period.
• Pain after surgery: Two drops of 2% lavender essence has been applied to the inside of an oxygen face mask and inhaled for 3 minutes at 3, 8, and 16 hours after receiving pain-relievers for C-section pain.

Lavender Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What are lavender pills good for?

Overall, stress concerns improved more in people who were taking lavender oil oral capsules than in people who were taking a placebo (a 'dummy' medicine). Oral lavender oil was effective irrespective of whether people had stress imbalance, subsyndromal stress or generalised stress imbalance.

Do lavender pills help stress?

Studies have shown the special lavender oil used in the capsules can reduce excessive neurotransmitter activity. And, as a result reduces overstimulation and hyperactivity of the nervous response. Therefore, researchers say, the capsules are able to improve and reduce the concerns of stress.

Are lavender pills safe?

When taken by mouth: Lavender is LIKELY SAFE for most adults in food amounts. It's POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts. When taken by mouth, lavender may cause constipation, headache, and increased appetite.

Why is lavender bad for you?

Lavender oil and tea tree oil contain compounds that mimic or oppose the actions of sex hormones and may be considered endocrine disruptors. Persistent exposure to lavender products is associated with premature breast development in girls, according to new research by NIEHS scientists.

What does lavender do to the brain?

In electroencephalography (EEG) studies, inhalation of 10% lavender oil increased alpha and theta wave activity in the brain, patterns which are also consistent with relaxation and better mood. Evidence to date suggests short-term routine with lavender is safe, but long-term safety data are lacking.

Does lavender increase estrogen?

Lavender oil and tea tree oil contain compounds that mimic or oppose the actions of sex hormones and may be considered endocrine disruptors. “These findings demonstrated that the two oils can have hormonal-like effects for estrogen and testosterone in the body,” said senior author Kenneth Korach, Ph.

Where do I put lavender oil for stress?

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 aromaroutine diffuser or vaporizer.

Where do you rub lavender oil for stress?

in your stress. level so a few drops of lavender oil can actually be placed on the skin safely most essential oils you do not apply directly to the skin lavender oil is one of the exceptions. it's very gentle and can be applied right to your wrist.

Does lavender oil really work?

Benefits. Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and joint comfort properties, which can help to heal minor burns and bug bites. Research suggests that it may be useful for treating stress, sleep quality, low mood, and restlessness.

Is Lavender an plant compounds?

Antimicrobial Properties of Lavender EO. Lavender EO showed plant compounds activity against Herpes simplex virus type 1 [17]; it has shown botanical compounds activity to a much greater extent. In dermatology, lavender EO can be used to support ulcers, burns, and scarring that are difficult to help maintain.

Is Lavender poisonous to dogs?

Lavender, the plant, does contain a small amount of a compound called linalool, which is toxic to both dogs and cats. ... If you suspect your dog has been poisoned by lavender, you should consult your veterinarian immediately to begin nutritional support.

Is Lavender bad for men?

D., a co-investigator for the new study, previously found laboratory evidence that lavender and tea tree oil have estrogenic (estrogen-like) properties and anti-androgenic (testosterone inhibiting-like) activities, meaning they compete or hinder the hormones that control male characteristics, which could affect puberty

Why is lavender bad for males?

Essential Oils May Disrupt Hormones of Young Boys. Researchers say lavender oil and tea tree oil may contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that cause abnormal breast growth in young boys. Researchers have found that chemicals in the oils, which are derived from plants, can cause disruptions to the endocrine system.

What happens if you drink lavender oil?

Lavender oil is generally not poisonous in adults when breathed in during aromaroutine or swallowed in smaller amounts. It may cause a reaction in children who swallow small amounts. The major effects are due to allergic reactions of the skin.

Does Lavender make you sleepy?

Essential oils can also be a powerful way to help you relax and sleep better. Although research on the use of essential oils is limited, lavender essential oil is widely recognized as a natural sleep aid. Researchers found that lavender increased the amount of slow- and deep-wave sleep in participants.

What are the side effects of lavender oil?

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth, lavender may cause constipation, headache, and increased appetite. When applied to the skin: Lavender is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin in medicinal amounts. It can sometimes cause irritation, although this is uncommon.

Does lavender have healing properties?

Benefits. Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and joint comfort properties, which can help to heal minor burns and bug bites. In addition to helping with digestive problems, lavender is used to help relieve pain from headaches, sprains, toothaches, and sores. It can also be used to prevent hair loss.

Does lavender enhance breast growth?

Lavender oil may contribute to abnormal breast growth in young girls. Abnormal breast growth in young girls is linked to lavender oil exposure, according to a recent study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Is lavender essential oil estrogenic?

A 2018 study by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) further substantiated this evidence – lavender and tea tree oil do have estrogenic (estrogen-like) properties and anti-androgenic (testosterone inhibiting-like) activities.

Can you take lavender oil orally?

Most commonly lavender is recommended for oral administration. Unlike many other essential oils used in aromaroutine, lavender oil is often applied undiluted to the skin.

How does lavender oil calm stress?

According to 2012 research, lavender aromaroutine is thought to calm stress by impacting the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions. How to use: Enjoy a relaxing lavender bath by combining several drops of lavender oil with a teaspoon of carrier oil or an unscented bath gel.

Is lavender good for low mood?

Some animal studies have shown that certain essential oils may relieve psychological and physical concerns linked to low mood. One 2016 study showed that inhaled lavender improved the sleep cycle of people at college who experienced sleep disturbances, which can be an effect of low mood.

Clinical Studies

• ^ a b c d e f g Cavanagh HM, Wilkinson JM. Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytother Res. (2002)
• ^ a b c Politano VT, et al. Uterotrophic Assay of Percutaneous Lavender Oil in Immature Female Rats. Int J Toxicol. (2013)
• ^ a b Miladinović DL, et al. Investigation of the chemical composition-botanical compounds activity relationship of essential oils by chemometric methods. Anal Bioanal Chem. (2012)
• ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Trellakis S, et al. Subconscious olfactory influences of stimulant and relaxant odors on immune function. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. (2012)
• ^ No authors listed. Special lavender oil. New phytoroutine anxiolytic drug for sub-syndromal stress imbalances. MMW Fortschr Med. (2010)
• ^ a b c d e Doroshyenko O, et al. Drug Cocktail Interaction Study on the Effect of the Orally Administered Lavender Oil Preparation Silexan on Cytochrome P-450 Enzymes in Healthy Volunteers. Drug Metab Dispos. (2013)
• ^ a b Silenieks LB, Koch E, Higgins GA. Silexan, an essential oil from flowers of Lavandula angustifolia, is not recognized as benzodiazepine-like in rats trained to discriminate a diazepam cue. Phytomedicine. (2013)
• ^ Kasper S, et al. Efficacy and safety of silexan, a new, orally administered lavender oil preparation, in subthreshold stress imbalance - evidence from clinical trials. Wien Med Wochenschr. (2010)
• ^ Determination of lavender oil fragrance compounds in blood samples.
• ^ In Vitro Human Skin Penetration of the Fragrance Material Linalool.
• ^ Percutaneous absorption of lavender oil from a massage oil.
• ^ Ben Salah M, et al. Effects of ultraviolet radiation on the kinetics of in vitro percutaneous absorption of lavender oil. Int J Pharm. (2009)
• ^ Williams AC, Barry BW. Terpenes and the lipid-protein-partitioning theory of skin penetration enhancement. Pharm Res. (1991)
• ^ Skin barrier function: effect of age, race and inflammatory condition.
• ^ Komiya M, et al. Evaluation of the effect of topical application of lavender oil on autonomic nerve activity in dogs. Am J Vet Res. (2009)
• ^ a b c Prashar A, Locke IC, Evans CS. Cytotoxicity of lavender oil and its major components to human skin cells. Cell Prolif. (2004)
• ^ a b Sugiura M, et al. Results of patch testing with lavender oil in Japan. Contact Dermatitis. (2000)
• ^ Rastogi SC, et al. Fragrance chemicals in domestic and occupational products. Contact Dermatitis. (2001)
• ^ Rastogi SC, et al. Deodorants on the European market: quantitative chemical analysis of 21 fragrances. Contact Dermatitis. (1998)
• ^ Sköld M, Hagvall L, Karlberg AT. Autoxidation of linalyl acetate, the main component of lavender oil, creates potent contact allergens. Contact Dermatitis. (2008)
• ^ Sköld M, et al. Contact allergens formed on air exposure of linalool. Identification and quantification of primary and secondary oxidation products and the effect on skin sensitization. Chem Res Toxicol. (2004)
• ^ Sköld M, et al. Studies on the autoxidation and sensitizing capacity of the fragrance chemical linalool, identifying a linalool hydroperoxide. Contact Dermatitis. (2002)
• ^ a b Hagvall L, et al. Lavender oil lacks natural protection against autoxidation, forming strong contact allergens on air exposure. Contact Dermatitis. (2008)
• ^ Carter CR, Kozuska JL, Dunn SM. Insights into the structure and pharmacology of GABA(A) receptors. Future Med Chem. (2010)
• ^ Akk G, et al. Pharmacology of structural changes at the GABA(A) receptor transmitter binding site. Br J Pharmacol. (2011)
• ^ Tan KR, Rudolph U, Lüscher C. Hooked on benzodiazepines: GABAA receptor subtypes and addiction. Trends Neurosci. (2011)
• ^ a b c d e f g h Huang L, et al. Pharmacological profile of essential oils derived from Lavandula angustifolia and Melissa officinalis with anti-agitation properties: focus on ligand-gated channels. J Pharm Pharmacol. (2008)
• ^ a b Abuhamdah S, et al. Pharmacological profile of an essential oil derived from Melissa officinalis with anti-agitation properties: focus on ligand-gated channels. J Pharm Pharmacol. (2008)
• ^ a b c d Woelk H, Schläfke S. A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized stress imbalance. Phytomedicine. (2010)
• ^ a b c Cline M, et al. Investigation of the anxiolytic effects of linalool, a lavender extract, in the male Sprague-Dawley rat. AANA J. (2008)
• ^ a b Kim Y, et al. Effect of lavender oil on motor function and dopamine receptor expression in the olfactory bulb of mice. J Ethnopharmacol. (2009)
• ^ Sokoloff P, et al. The dopamine D3 receptor: a wellbeing target for the nutritional support of neuropsychiatric imbalances. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. (2006)
• ^ Tsang HW, Ho TY. A systematic review on the anxiolytic effects of aromaroutine on rodents under experimentally induced stress models. Rev Neurosci. (2010)
• ^ a b Takahashi M, et al. Effects of inhaled lavender essential oil on stress-loaded animals: changes in stress-related behavior and expression levels of selected mRNAs and proteins. Nat Prod Commun. (2012)
• ^ Takahashi M, et al. Interspecies comparison of chemical composition and anxiolytic-like effects of lavender oils upon inhalation. Nat Prod Commun. (2011)
• ^ a b Hawken PA, Fiol C, Blache D. Genetic differences in temperament determine whether lavender oil alleviates or exacerbates stress in sheep. Physiol Behav. (2012)
• ^ Kasper S, et al. Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the nutritional support of 'subsyndromal' stress imbalance: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. (2010)
• ^ Uehleke B, et al. Phase II trial on the effects of Silexan in patients with neurasthenia, post-traumatic stress imbalance or somatization imbalance. Phytomedicine. (2012)
• ^ McCaffrey R, Thomas DJ, Kinzelman AO. The effects of lavender and rosemary essential oils on test-taking stress among graduate nursing students. Holist Nurs Pract. (2009)
• ^ Kritsidima M, Newton T, Asimakopoulou K. The effects of lavender scent on dental patient stress levels: a cluster randomised-controlled trial. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. (2010)
• ^ Dunn C, Sleep J, Collett D. Sensing an improvement: an experimental study to evaluate the use of aromaroutine, massage and periods of rest in an intensive care unit. J Adv Nurs. (1995)
• ^ Perry R, et al. Is lavender an anxiolytic drug? A systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Phytomedicine. (2012)
• ^ Tanida M, et al. Day-night difference in thermoregulatory responses to olfactory stimulation. Neurosci Lett. (2008)
• ^ a b c d e f g Sayorwan W, et al. The effects of lavender oil inhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activity. J Med Assoc Thai. (2012)
• ^ Granados-Fuentes D, Tseng A, Herzog ED. A circadian clock in the olfactory bulb controls olfactory responsivity. J Neurosci. (2006)
• ^ Moeini M, et al. Effect of aromaroutine on the quality of sleep in ischemic heart condition patients hospitalized in intensive care units of heart hospitals of the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. (2010)
• ^ Arzi A, et al. The influence of odorants on respiratory patterns in sleep. Chem Senses. (2010)
• ^ Goel N, Kim H, Lao RP. An olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and women. Chronobiol Int. (2005)
• ^ a b Field T, et al. Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infants. Early Hum Dev. (2008)
• ^ The Effect of Lavender Aromaroutine on Autonomic Nervous System in Midlife Women with Sleep quality.
• ^ Lee IS, Lee GJ. Effects of lavender aromaroutine on sleep quality and low mood in women college students. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. (2006)