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Medicinal Uses for Lavender




The information that follows is excerpted from a longer post:  The Ultimate Guide to Lavender.  For additional information about Lavender such as its cultivation, culinary uses, or its uses through history, please click HERE to access the complete original post. Other individual sections are listed below:
Medicinal Lavender Items


Do not try any of these uses for lavender without consulting a doctor or health care provider. Nothing in this blog is designed to replace traditional medical care.


The substance in lavender that gives it its staying power, fragrance and flavor is the volatile oil that is produced by the plant, especially by its flowers.  The plant's oil glands are embedded among the tiny star-shaped hairs that cover the flowers, leaves, and stems of the lavender.  The oil varies in quality, depending on when the plants are harvested.  The oil from early flowers is pale and contains more valuable esthers than the darker oil of later flowers.  Lavender oil is the most often used essential oil in the world.

Microscopic Image of a Lavender Leaf, showing oil glands and tiny hairs 

This oil is also what gives lavender its many applications for medicinal use.  The oil was traditionally inhaled, or applied directly to the skin.  If the oil is diluted somewhat, it is much safer to use, as the undiluted oil can irritate the skin.  You can also take it internally.  It is safe, but should be used in moderation.  It should not, however, be used by pregnant women.
Lavender Aromatherapy

The oil was applied to the temples to prevent faintness and "giddiness or turning of the brain," according to Culpeper, an early herbalist.  It has strong antiseptic actions capable of killing the bacteria that carry diphtheria and typhoid.  An antiseptic lotion of the oil may be applied to cuts to speed healing.  It was used to disinfect wounds up until World War I.  It is particularly recommended for burns, sunburn, and scalds and can, if applied directly, prevent blistering of the skin.


Traditional uses for lavender oil include embalming corpses, curing animals (and people) of lice, taming lions and tigers, repelling mosquitoes, moths and other insects, and as a flavoring for snuff.  It is said to relax muscle spasms, benefit digestion, stimulate the peripheral circulatory system and uterus, and lower fevers.  It also has antidepressant effects and has long been used to freshen sickrooms after the illness has passed. 

Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil can be taken internally for exhaustion, irritability, tension and migraine headaches, and bronchial complaints. It has been used as a medicine for hysteria, nervous palpitations, hoarseness, palsy, toothaches, sore joints, apoplexy, and colic.  It quiets coughs and rumbling tummies.  It promotes healing and has mild sedative effects on the nervous system.  It has also been used to alleviate nausea.  In China, lavender is used in a cure-all medicinal oil called White Flower Oil.

White Flower Oil

The oil is applied externally for rheumatism, muscular pain, neuralgia, skin complaints, cold and canker sores, insect and snake bites, halitosis (bad breath), vaginal discharge, and anal fissures.  Lavender also stimulates and cleanses the skin.  Washing your face with lavender vinegar is reported to be good for oily skin.  


Lavender flowers are used in sachets and potpourris to freshen homes, both today and in the past.  In herb pillows, it is said to promote sleep and pleasant dreams.  The flowers can also be added to baths to encourage relaxation of the body and mind.  Lavender was thought to be an aphrodisiac, due to its associations with love and romance.  Interestingly, it is said, though, that a sprinkle of lavender water on the head of your spouse or lover will keep him or her chaste and loyal to you.

Lavender Bath

One teaspoon of lavender flowers to a pint of water will produce mild sedative effects, while a few drops of the oil in a hot bath will ease aching muscles and sore feet.  Warm lavender tea can be applied as a compress for the relief of chest congestion.  Yet today, bruises and bites are treated with lavender compresses in France and Spain. 

Lavender Compress
Chinese Compresses for Massage

Medicinal cordials have been made by combining lavender oil, rosemary oil, cinnamon bark, nutmeg and sandalwood with wine and letting it steep for seven days.  The dose is a teaspoon after an "indigestible" meal, followed by a second dose a half-hour later, "if needed."


The insect repellent properties of lavender are well-known.  Sachets and potpourris are still used for perfuming drawers and closets, but simply placing oil of lavender on a wad of cotton and hanging it up will freshen the room and keep moths away.  You can also soak a cotton ball with diluted lavender oil and rub it on your skin to repel mosquitoes.  
Lavender Flowers and Oil

People carried lavender during the Middle Ages to ward off the Plague.  Even though lavender has powerful antibacterial and antiviral abilities, the fact is that the lavender didn't kill the Plague.  Instead, it simply repelled the fleas that carried this deadly disease! Interestingly, these claims are some that modern science has tested, but found inconclusive. Yet generations will swear by the repellent properties this herb possesses.


Many of the claims of medicinal prowess that lavender stakes have been recently taken to task by the medical and scientific communities.  The vast majority of claims have been proven accurate by various studies.  
Relaxing Lavender and Chamomile

Today we know that lavender really has lots of "anti-" properties.  As mentioned earlier, it has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.  It also has been proven to be an effective antidepressant and anti-anxiety substance.  In fact, there is a new anti-anxiety medication called Silexan that is presently in the testing phases.  It is simply 80mg of lavender oil in a gelatin capsule.  It has been shown effective in reducing anxiety as well as reducing the symptoms that accompany it, like disturbed sleep or insomnia, and muscular and joint complaints.  

Lavender Remedies

Through modern scientific studies, we know that lavender is effective in healing burns, wounds, cuts, bruises, dry skin, cold and canker sores, age spots, sun spots, hives, and bites faster than treatment of these issues without it.  It has also been proven effective at reducing hair loss and promoting hair regrowth.  Science has shown that the inhaling of lavender essential oil will reduce fear of going to the dentist.  

Making Lavender Cosmetics

Lavender has been proven to reduce post-surgical pain in many instances and to reduce the various symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome.  Use for digestive issues has also been shown effective.  Studies show that using lavender will improve anyone's quality of sleep by about 60%.  It is useful in treating headaches and migraines, as well as in preventing strokes by causing a reduction in blood pressure.  


Other scientific evidence shows that lavender slows the activity of the central nervous system which promotes relaxation and lifts the mood of those suffering from sleep, anxiety, and depressive disorders.  This results in a better overall quality of life for those with these afflictions.  

Lavender and Towels

In studies where lavender oil was used with massage therapy, people reported improved sleep, more stable mood, and better concentration than with massage alone.  Several small studies suggest that lavender aromatherapy may help reduce agitation in people with dementia and Alzheimer's Disease.  Lavender has also been proven to reduce the dry, scaly skin lesions of eczema.  

Lavender Preparations for Diabetes

Studies have shown lavender to effectively treat many of the symptoms of Diabetes, including causing an increase in blood glucose levels, reduction in weight gain, control of metabolic disorders, preventing liver and kidney antioxidant depletion, and reducing liver and kidney dysfunction.  
Medicine Bottles and Herbs

Lavender reduces the symptoms and development of Alzheimer's Disease, as well as the mood-involved symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  Further studies have demonstrated that attaching a pad soaked in lavender oil onto the neckline of clothing reduces falls in nursing home patients. Additionally, lavender has proven to be as effective at treating ear infections as equally as using a skin-numbing agent with the antibiotic medication amoxicillin.


One of the most promising areas of lavender research is in the field of cancer prevention.  Studies have shown that lavender provides our bodies with excellent antioxidant protection--even better than Vitamin C.  Antioxidants protect us from free radical damage. Free radicals are what cause cell death in our bodies, which in turn, causes aging.  


But the damage free radicals cause can also lead to cancer.  Because lavender protects us from this damage, it can prevent the development of cancer cells, too.  Where cancer cells have been detected, lavender has shown significant cytotoxic (cancer cell killing) activity against epithelial ovarian and cervical cancer cells.  It has an inhibitory effect on human melanoma cells and has been shown to decrease the viability of Hodgkin's lymphoma cells.  Lavender has a weak hormonal activity, as well, which may be beneficial against hormonal cancers.  


Lavender also provides some hope for present cancer patients, too, by significantly decreasing tumor weight in many situations.  It has also shown to be an effective treatment for some patients who previously hadn't responded to standard cancer therapies.  Further, it has been effective for palliative care in brain tumor patients.  The antibacterial properties of lavender promote immune system function in addition to preventing golden staph infections in immuno-compromised cancer patients.  These findings in cancer research are certainly encouraging, although further testing and study is warranted.


Several recipes for potpourris using lavender, as well as some cosmetics you can make yourself, are listed below.  There are also a few projects you can do with lavender to cure whatever ails your home and heart!  Click on the links to access them.
Potpourri


Cosmetics


Projects


Lavender has so many medicinal possibilities!  I hope this has given you a good overview of what those possibilities are.  Please leave any comments or questions below!

Peace and Love Always,








Lavender and Cotton


Sources:
Axe, Dr. Josh, MD. "7 Lavender Oil Benefits for Healing." Dr. Axe Food and Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.

Bremness, Leslie. RD Home Handbook: Herbs. Pleasantville: Reader's Digest Association, 1990. Print.

Brown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1995. Print.

Clark, Marnie. "Lavender Essential Oil Uses and Its Benefits for Cancer Patients." The Truth about Cancer. thetruthaboutcancer.com, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.

Clevely, Andi, and Katherine Richmond. The Complete Book of Herbs. New York: Smithmark, 1994. Print.

Cunnningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1992. Print.

Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Lavender." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 2 Jan. 2015. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. Published date is actually most recent review date. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Gips, Kathleen. Flora's Dictionary: The Victorian Language of Herbs and Flowers . Chagrin Falls: TM Publications, 1995. Print.

Kowalchik, Claire, and William H. Hylton, eds. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs . Emmaus: Rodale, 1987. Print.

Kruger, Anna. An Illustrated Guide to Herbs. Stamford: Longmeadow, 1993. Print.

"Lavender." Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 21 Sept. 2015. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.

"Lavender." WebMD. Ed. Therapeutic Research Faculty. WebMD Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2009. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. Material for article provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version.

Nordqvist, Joseph. "What Are the Benefits of Lavender?" Medical Today. Medical News Today, 9 Sept. 2014. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.

Shaudys, Phyllis. The Pleasure of Herbs. Pownal: Storey Communications, 1986. Print.

Shaudys, Phyllis V. Herbal Treasures. Pownal: Storey Communications, 1990. Print.
Photo Credits:  
Medicinal Uses for Lavender Header Image:  Photo Credit:  lavender spa by lily

Medicinal Lavender Items:  Photo Credit:  Wellness care products with lavender seeds in a bowl by Irina Burakova

Lavender Field:   Photo via VisualHunt.com

Microscopic Lavender Leaf:   Photo credit: wellcome images via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Lavender Aromatherapy:  Photo Credit:  Lavender flower spa, bath salts, purple candle, and purple towel by mariolizaola

Compress on Injury:  Photo Credit:  www.fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net  


Lavender Flowers and Oil:  Photo Credit:  Fresh lavender flowers by Grafvision

Relaxing Lavender and Chamomile:  Photo Credit:  Lavender and Chamomile Herbal Medicine by marilyn barbone


Making Lavender Cosmetics:  Photo Credit:  Homemade lotion, cream wit lavender flowers. by tbralnina

Lavender and Towels:   Photo credit: ZenKitty /Babushka via VisualHunt / CC BY-NC


Medicine Bottles and Herbs:  Photo Credit:  Medicine bottles and herbs by Sebastian Duda


Lavender and Cotton:  Photo Credit:  lavender and cotton with violet textile on white wooden table. s by chattenoir

Medicinal Uses for Lavender Header Image:  Photo Credit:  lavender spa by lily

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