Introduction  

Lavender is the name given to flowering plants belonging to the Lamiaceae or the mint family. Two of the most commonly used “lavenders” are Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia. Lavandula angustifolia has other common names such as English lavender, French lavender, or true lavender. Lavandula latifolia is sometimes called a spike lavender or spike.¹ 

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an aromatic herb widely used in the perfumery industry. Lavender is widely used for the essential oils derived from it. Lavender oils have many therapeutic and biological properties.²  The lavender plant originated in the Mediterranean region. In India, the lavender plant is cultivated in the low rainfall regions of Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.³  

Nutritional Value of Lavender

Lavender does not contain carbohydrates, proteins and other nutrients but it has fats.⁴ The nutritional information is given in the table below 

Therapeutic Uses of Lavender 

Lavender has many therapeutic indications and biological activities. Lavender Essential Oil (LEO) found in lavender has many medicinal uses, because of the constituents present. Major constituents found in lavender are linalool, linalyl acetate, camphor, cineol and endo-borneol. ⁵ The therapeutic uses of lavender are listed below, 

Anti-inflammatory 

The Lavender Essential oil shows anti-inflammatory activity on oral as well as topical use. LEO affects the inflammatory response of the body at lower doses but has an irritant effect at high doses.²

Antioxidant  

Lavender oil is effective in reducing oxidative stress on the human cell.⁶ 

Anticonvulsant

Inhalation of lavender is able to inhibit convulsions in animal models. One of the components of lavender oil,  Linalool is able to reduce the convulsions in various animal models.⁵  

Anxiolytic

The major constituent of lavender essential oil, linalool has shown anxiolytic effects in animal models and stress relieving effects on humans. A product of lavender essential oil, Silaxen, is an effective anxiolytic agent.⁵ 

Anticholinesterase  

Acetylcholine is a brain chemical essential for cognitive functions. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme responsible for breaking down this acetylcholine. Lavender oil is effective in preventing the activity of the cholinesterase enzyme resulting in increased acetylcholine in the brain.⁷  

Antimicrobial⁸ 

The lavender essential oil shows antibacterial activity due to the presence of phenolic compounds.  

Benefits of Lavender  

Benefits of Lavender in Psychological Health 

• Benefits in Anxiety and Depression 

Lavender oil capsules are helpful in providing relief to patients suffering from a generalised anxiety disorder.⁵ Lavender oil capsules can provide antianxiety benefits to patients.⁹  Aromatherapy with lavender oils has been proven to be effective in reducing the risk of postpartum depression and anxiety in women. Aromatherapy with lavender oil could also improve the mood of patient.⁵   

• Benefits in Insomnia 

Inhalation of lavender essential oil (LEO) before sleep is helpful in improving sleep quality in people suffering from sleep disturbances. Also, aromatherapy with LEO helps people feel more refreshed after waking up.¹⁰  

Also Read: 11 Foods to Avoid Before Sleeping

• Benefits in the Mood Improvement  

Lavender aromatherapy is beneficial in improving mood as well as emotional state. Oral lavender (80 mg a day) has been found to be capable of improving the quality of life and general mental health in people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.⁵   

Benefits of Lavender for Hair 

• The use of lavender oil could promote hair growth in animal models.
• The antimicrobial and antifungal properties of lavender oil can promote healthy hair and scalp.⁸
• Its anti-inflammatory activity can prevent scalp inflammation and dryness.²   

Also Read: 5 Ayurveda Herbs For Hair Growth

Benefits of Lavender in Wound Healing 

• The use of lavender oil on skin promotes wound healing.
• Lavender oil acts by promoting the growth of collagen and boosting the tissue remodelling process involved in wound healing.¹¹ 

Benefits of Lavender in Skin Conditions  

The presence of anti-inflammatory agents like linalool and linalyl acetate makes lavender effective in improving skin conditions like psoriasis.⁹  

Benefits of Lavender in Liver Health  

Lavender oil is effective in reducing oxidative stress and oxidative stress-induced DNA damage in liver cells.⁶  

Benefits of Lavender in Menstrual Pain 

• Inhaling  lavender oil is associated with a decrease in menstrual pain.
• Also, applying lavender oil on the abdomen decreases the pain of menstruation.¹²  

Benefits in Lavender in Colic Symptoms  

Aromatherapy massage in infants can reduce the colic symptoms and reduce the duration of crying.¹²  

Also Read: Gokshura: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Precautions

How to Use Lavender  

Lavender is available in many of its forms, such as essential oil, extract, plant (flower, stem, and leaves), tea and capsules.¹²  

• Lavender essential oils can be used in baths as body sprays and massage oils. It is advisable to use lavender essential oil by diluting it with other oils like coconut oil, olive oil and jojoba oil.¹²  
• Lavender flowers can be used in baths, soaps, or added to teas.¹²  
• Aromatherapy with lavender essential oil is helpful in providing a calming effect.¹²  

Side Effects of Lavender  

Using lavender essential oils directly with food or drinks can be dangerous for people. Consuming essential oils directly causes irritation to the oral mucosa, lining of the soft palate, throat, and tongue.¹² 

Other side effects include constipation, headache, increased appetite and skin rash on topical use.  

Precautions to Take with Lavender 

The use of lavender on skin can lead to allergic reactions in some people.¹³ A study found a link between the use of products containing lavender and premature breast development in young children.¹³ There is little information available on the web regarding the safety of lavender oils during pregnancy, so it’s best to exercise caution and consult a doctor before using them. ¹³ 

Interaction with Other Drugs 

• The use of lavender oil along with drugs that induce sleep, such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates, should be avoided.¹⁴ 
• Lavender oil should be used along with drugs that reduce blood pressure, such as captopril and enalapril.¹⁴  

Also Read: Safed Musli – Benefits, Nutritional Value, Side Effects & Precautions

Frequently Asked Questions  

1) What is lavender? 

Lavender is the name given to flowering plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family, the mint family.² 

2) Is it safe to add lavender to foods? 

lavender is safe to be added in foods. Dried flowers of lavender can be used to make teas.¹²  

3) What are the different names of lavender?  

Lavender is also known as English lavender, French lavender, or true lavender.¹ 

4) Should I be careful when using lavender essential oil?  

Be careful not to ingest lavender essential oil directly, as it can irritate the oral mucosa, lining of the soft palate, throat, and tongue.¹² Pregnant women can use lavender oil for massage after diluting it with carier oils like coconut.¹⁵ They  can also add few drops of oil to the vaporiser for aromatherapy but avoid inhaling for a long time. There is lack of information regarding the safety of lavender oils during pregnancy and lactating period, so its best to stay cautious and consult the doctor before using.¹⁵  

5) What should I avoid when using lavender aromatherapy? 

The use of lavender oil along with drugs that induce sleep, such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates, should be avoided.¹⁴Lavender oil should be used along with medications that reduce blood pressure, such as captopril and enalapril.¹⁴  

6) Is it safe to consume lavender essential oil directly? 

Consuming lavender essential oil directly can irritate the oral mucosa, lining of the soft palate, throat, and tongue.¹² 

7) How to use lavender in our daily lives?  

Lavender essential oils can be used in baths as body sprays and massage oils. It is advisable to use lavender essential oil by diluting it with other oils like coconut oil, olive oil and jojoba oil.¹² 

Lavender flowers can be used in baths, soaps or added to teas.¹² Aromatherapy with lavender essential oil is helpful in providing a calming effect.¹² 

8) Can I use lavender to improve my sleep quality?  

Inhalation of lavender essential oil (LEO) before sleep is helpful in improving sleep quality in people suffering from sleep disturbances. Also, aromatherapy with LEO helps people feel more refreshed after waking up.¹⁰  

Also Read: Ber Fruit – Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Precautions

References 

1. Buckle J. Basic Plant Taxonomy, Basic Essential Oil Chemistry, Extraction, Biosynthesis, and Analysis. Clinical Aromatherapy. Published online 2015:37-72. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-5440-2.00003-6 
2. Cardia GFE, Silva-Filho SE, Silva EL, et al. Effect of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil on Acute Inflammatory Response. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2018;2018. doi:10.1155/2018/1413940 
3. Lavender Cultivation Practices In India | Agri Farming [Internet]. www.agrifarming.in. 2018. Available from: https://www.agrifarming.in/lavender-cultivation-practices-india  
4. Lavender – FoodLink [Internet]. extension.purdue.edu. [cited 2022 Feb 4]. Available from: https://extension.purdue.edu/foodlink/food.php?food=lavender 
5. Koulivand PH, Khaleghi Ghadiri M, Gorji A. Lavender and the Nervous System. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM. 2013;2013. doi:10.1155/2013/681304 
6. Kozics K, Srancikova A, Sedlackova E, et al. Antioxidant potential of essential oil from Lavandula angustifolia in in vitro and ex vivo cultured liver cells. Neoplasma. 2017;64(4):485-493. doi:10.4149/NEO_2017_401 
7. Xu P, Wang K, Lu C, et al. The Protective Effect of Lavender Essential Oil and Its Main Component Linalool against the Cognitive Deficits Induced by D-Galactose and Aluminum Trichloride in Mice. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2017;2017. doi:10.1155/2017/7426538 
8. Puškárová A, Bučková M, Kraková L, Pangallo D, Kozics K. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of six essential oils and their cyto/genotoxicity to human HEL 12469 cells. Scientific Reports 2017 7:1. 2017;7(1):1-11. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-08673-9 
9. Yap WS, Dolzhenko A v., Jalal Z, Hadi MA, Khan TM. Efficacy and safety of lavender essential oil (Silexan) capsules among patients suffering from anxiety disorders: A network meta-analysis. Scientific Reports 2019 9:1. 2019;9(1):1-11. doi:10.1038/s41598-019-54529-9 
10. Lillehei AS, Halcon LL. A systematic review of the effect of inhaled essential oils on sleep. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, NY). 2014;20(6):441-451. doi:10.1089/ACM.2013.0311 
11. Samuelson R, Lobl M, Higgins S, Clarey D, Wysong A. The Effects of Lavender Essential Oil on Wound Healing: A Review of the Current Evidence. https://home.liebertpub.com/acm. 2020;26(8):680-690. doi:10.1089/ACM.2019.0286  
12. Lavender: Health Benefits and How To Use It [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. 2021. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/health-benefits-of-lavender/ 
13. Lavender [Internet]. NCCIH. Available from: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/lavender 
14. Lavender | Michigan Medicine [Internet]. www.uofmhealth.org. Available from: https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/d04488a1 
15. Is it safe to use essential oils while I’m pregnant? [Internet]. BabyCentre UK. 2021. Available  from: https://www.babycentre.co.uk/x536449/is-it-safe-to-use-essential-oils-while-im-pregnant ​ 

Also Read: Tejpatta – Benefits, Side Effects & Precautions

Disclaimer:

The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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