Lavender - Medical Health Care Library Wiki


Main Article	Side Effects	Forum

Lavender

	Original Author Healthocrates Staff
	Physician/Scientist No contributions yet. Be the first!
	Health Care Professional No contributions yet. Be the first!
	Contributing Member No contributions yet. Be the first!
	Add New Topic Tab

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller)

Background

Lavender is native to the Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula, Russia, and Africa. It has been used cosmetically and medicinally throughout history. In modern times, lavender is cultivated around the world and the fragrant oils of its flowers are used in aromatherapy, baked goods, candles, cosmetics, detergents, jellies, massage oils, perfumes, powders, shampoo, soaps, and tea. English lavender ( L. angustifolia ) is the most common species of lavender used, although other species are in use, including Lavandula burnamii , L. dentate , L. dhofarensis , L. latifolia , and L. stoechas .

Many people find lavender aromatherapy to be relaxing, and it has been reported to have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. Overall, the evidence suggests a small positive effect, although additional data from well-designed studies are required before the evidence can be considered strong.

Lavender aromatherapy is also used as a hypnotic, although there is insufficient evidence in support of this use.

Small phase I human trials of the lavender constituent perillyl alcohol (POH) for cancer have suggested safety and tolerability, although efficacy has not been demonstrated.

Synonyms

Common lavender, English lavender, garden lavender, Lavandula burnamii , Lavandula dentate , Lavandula dhofarensis , Lavandula latifolia , Lavandula officinalis L., Lavandula stoechas , limonene, NHED (contains Allium sativum , Verbascum thapsus , Calendula flores , Hypericum perfoliatum , lavender and vitamin E in olive oil), perillyl alcohol, pink lavender, POH, true lavender, white lavender.

Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Uses based on scientific evidence	Grade^*
Anxiety (lavender aromatherapy) Lavender aromatherapy is traditionally used for relaxation. It is reported to help relieve anxiety in several small studies, although negative results have also been reported. Better research is needed before a strong recommendation can be made.	B
Agitated behavior (lavender aromatherapy) Small studies of patients with severe dementia in nursing homes have found that lavender aromatherapy or pinning a cloth with the oil on it to the patient may help to decrease agitated behavior. Further well-designed studies are needed in this area before a firm conclusion can be drawn.	C
Alopecia/hair loss (lavender used on the skin) Small trials have shown that patients who massage essential oils (thyme, rosemary, lavender and cedarwood) into their scalps daily showed more improvement than the control group. More research of lavender alone is need before a recommendation can be made.	C
Antibacterial (lavender used on the skin) Early laboratory studies suggest that lavender oils may have antibiotic activity.However, this has not been well tested in animal or human studies.	C
Cancer (perillyl alcohol) Perillyl alcohol (POH), derived from lavender, might be beneficial in the treatment of some types of cancer. This research has focused on cancers of the pancreas, breast, and intestine. Preliminary small studies in humans suggest safety and tolerability of POH, but effectiveness has not been established.	C
Dementia Small trials investigating the effects of lavender aromatherapy on agitation and behavior in patients with Alzheimer's dementia report conflicting results. Further well-designed studies are needed before a conclusion can be drawn.	C
Depression Preliminary research suggests that lavender may be helpful as an adjunct to prescription antidepressant medications. Additional research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.	C
Ear pain A small clinical trial used a naturopathic eardrop called NHED (containing Allium sativum , Verbascum thapsus , Calendula flores, Hypericum perfoliatum , lavender, and vitamin E in olive oil) with and without an antibiotic and topical anesthetic. It was found that the ear pain was self-limiting and resolved after a few days with or without antibiotics. This evidence is preliminary and further research is needed before any conclusion about this treatment can be made.	C
Hypnotic/sleep aid (lavender aromatherapy) Lavender aromatherapy is often promoted as a sleep aid. Although early evidence suggests possible benefits, more research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.	C
Improved workplace efficiency Although lavender is a sedative-type aroma, use during recess periods in a work environment after accumulation of fatigue seemed to prevent deterioration of performance in subsequent work sessions. Further well-designed research is needed to confirm these results.	C
Overall wellbeing (lavender used in a bath) Preliminary evidence has shown that lavender oil in combination with grapeseed oil used in a bath may help to improve overall wellbeing, and decrease anger and frustration. Lavender oil used as aromatherapy has also been shown to increase overall mood. Further well-designed research is needed to confirm these results.	C
Pain (lavender aromatherapy) Preliminary research suggests that the impression of pain intensity and unpleasantness may be reduced after treatment with lavender therapy. Other research has shown that lavender aromatherapy may be effective when used with acupressure for short term relief of lower back pain. Further research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.	C
Perineal discomfort after childbirth (lavender added to bath) Lavender has been evaluated as an additive to bathwater to relieve pain in the perineal area (between the vagina and anus) in women following birth. Preliminary poor-quality research reports no benefits. Better research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.	C
Eczema In a small clinical trial essential oils were used in combination with massage to treat childhood atopic eczema. It was found that there was deterioration in the patient's eczema, which may have been due to a possible allergic contact dermatitis provoked by the essential oils themselves. More study of the effect of lavender essential oil alone is needed before any firm conclusions can be made.	D

*Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use;
B: Good scientific evidence for this use;
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use;
D: Fair scientific evidence against this use;
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use.

Grading rationale

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Acne, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, appetite stimulant, arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, burn treatment, carpal tunnel syndrome, circulation problems, colic, common cold, decrease in heart rate, diabetes, diuretic, dizziness, douche, exercise recovery, fatigue, fever, gas, hangover, heartburn, HIV, indigestion, infertility, insect repellent, lice, low blood pressure, menopause, menstrual problems, migraine headache, minor burns, motion sickness, muscle spasm, nausea, neuroprotection, parasites/worms, psychosis, seizures/epilepsy, snake repellent, sores, sprains, tension headache, toothache, varicose veins, vomiting, wound healing.

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Adults (18 years and older)

Lavender has been taken by mouth as a tea prepared from 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 grams) of leaves steeped in 1 cup (250 milliliters) of boiling water for 15 minutes. As a tincture, 60 drops (1:5 in 50% alcohol) per day has been used.

Lavender oil has been used in aromatherapy (inhaled) and massage therapy (applied on the skin). A naturopathic eardrop called NHED, which includes lavender, has been used at a dose of 5 drops three times a day with or without an antibiotic and topical anesthetic.

To reduce perineal discomfort after childbirth, 6 drops of lavender oil have been added to a bath. Another technique is to add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dried lavender flowers to hot bath water.

Early cancer studies report doses of 800 to 1,200 milligrams per square meter of body surface, taken by mouth, four times daily in a 50:50 perillyl alcohol (a derivative of lavender):soybean oil preparation.

Children (younger than 18 years)

There is not enough scientific evidence to safely recommend lavender for children.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Allergies

People with allergies to lavender may experience skin irritation after contact, and should avoid lavender in all forms.

Notes:

[Watch page ]

EditText of this page (last edited February 14, 2008)