The genus name Lavandula simply means lavender. Lavender oil is an essential oil obtained by distillation from the flower spikes of certain species of lavender.

What is Lavender Essential Oil?

The use of Lavender oil in complementary and alternative health to support a variety of ailments is increasing, and interest in its potential has been growing all over the world. Aromatherapy, which employs essential oils extracted from various plants and herbs, is widely used and it is becoming a useful support tool in alternative health. Inhalation aromatherapy has especially received attention mainly for its effects of relaxation and improvement of emotional or psychological function. Lavender and its essential oil have been used for centuries due to its antiseptic, microbial support effects when used topically on the skin or in supporting a calm nervous system [1]. In today's folk remedies, the oil is applied also for the support of ailments such as anxiousness support, restfulness, sleep support and mood management. Administration routes include absorption via the respiratory tract or oral ingestion. *

How Could Lavender Essential Oil Improve My Health?

• Recently, Kasper et al. demonstrated the calming benefits of Lavender for anxious thoughts. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial [2]. Lavender oil was found to alleviate anxiety related symptoms such as restlessness, disturbed sleep as well as somatic complaints, whereby the product demonstrated good tolerability without provoking greater adverse effects [3].*
• Reports on the specific neurobiochemical actions of lavender oil are available. Best discussed in the literature are the anxiolytic, analgesic and cell calming effects of one of the oil's principal components, linalool and its derivatives like linalyl acetate [4]. Anti-inflammatory properties of lavender oil and its constituents have been reported in several in vitro and in vivo studies. Lavender essential oil and constituents like α-pinene, linalool, and limonene have been shown to support a healthy immune system by hindering major pathways like nuclear factor kappa B and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling as well as cytokine secretion [5]. *
• Lavender essential oil is expected to have a beneficial effect on wound healing because a few pieces of evidence for its effect were already reported. A previous randomized control trial conducted on 120 women demonstrated that using lavender oil significantly reduced pain after episiotomy and redness of incision sites as compared to control. More recently, another randomized clinical trial for episiotomy demonstrated the similar results; significant reduction of REEDA (redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, and approximation) score and visual analog scale score for pain, as compared to control. Both clinical trials suggest a beneficial effect of lavender oil on wound healing [6, 7]. Some study showed that lavender oil massage decreases primary dysmenorrhea and it can be used as an effective herbal support [21]. Lavender oil aromatherapy starting in the first hours of postpartum period resulted in better physical and mood status [22]. *
• It was reported that topical application with lavender oil on the aphthous ulceration showed significant healthing support compared to control in both an animal experiment and a clinical study. Lavender oil showed a significant cell calming activity and healing time, from 2-4 days, and pain relief mostly from the first dose, compared to baseline and placebo. No side effects were reported [8]. Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were found to be sensitive to lavender oil which can provide an effective intracanal antiseptic support for oral health [27]. *
• Lavender oil is an important part of our today's aromatherapy to promote "well-being" and to support a healthy stress response for "ill-being". "Well-being" is a psychological construct comprising several domains related to personality including self-acceptance and purpose in life, among others. When applied by inhalation, Lavender oil has been associated not only with feelings of pleasure, but also with some improving effects on mood and a calm mind [9, 10]. When given in capsules containing 100 µl, anxiolytic properties have been shown in human volunteers following stressful situations [11]. The use of lavender oil is also effective in reducing challenging behaviors in individuals with cognitive stress [13]. Two case series suggested that lavender promotes restful sleep in elderly people [14]. *
• Pediculosis, infection with head lice, Pediculus capitis, is common in children of elementary-school age. Lavender oil had significant ovicidal activity (killed 68.3% and 44.4%, of live head lice eggs) following a single application to the scalp and hair [12]. Lavender oil could be practically applied as a hair growth-promoting agent [24]. *
• Lavender oil has been studied in the different animal models to substantiate its varied health benefits. Inhalation of essential oils of lavender reduced cholesterol plaques in atherosclerotic disease in rabbits but showed no effect on serum cholesterol levels [15]. Lavender showed a hypolipidemic effect in rats [16] In addition, lavender aromatherapy has displayed vasodilatory effects and enhanced coronary blood flow in humans [17]. Extracts of lavender flower protected isolated rat hearts against ischemic reperfusion injury [18]. In a recent study, lavender oil showed neuroprotective activity and antioxidant properties in an experimental model [19]. In a very recent study, treatment with essential oil of lavender after myocardial injury reduced ischemic injury in rats [20].
• Restless leg syndrome is a common problem in patients with chronic renal failure. It can reduce the quality of life and sleep disturbances. Lavender oil massage was effective to improve restless leg syndrome in hemodialysis patients with no adverse effects [23]. *
• Lavender oil has a significant diastolic blood pressure supporting attribute [25]. The trial carried out on 34 female patients, after inhalation of these odors for 60 minutes. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and salivary cortisol were measured before and after inhalation [25]. *

Phytochemical Content

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil consists of a mixture of mono- and sesquiterpenoid alcohols, esters, oxides, and ketones, containing linalool, linalyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, terpinen-4-ol, β-caryophyllene, and camphor as a primary component.

Suggest Usage / Dosage

Internal Use – 4 drops for Mouthwash and Steam inhalation (in boiling water bath or added in diffuser/vaporizer)

Topical Use – 5 to 10 drops for Wound infections, Ayurvedic bath, and body massage.

Ideal Storage Conditions

Use a sealed container to store this product in a cool, dry place. Keep away from direct light and moisture. Once the package is opened, it must be re-sealed and used within 6 months.

Shelf Life

Two years from date of manufacture.

References

1. Gostner, Johanna M et al. “Lavender Oil Suppresses Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Activity in Human PBMC.” BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 14 (2014): 503. PMC. Web. 24 Jan. 2018.
2. Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of 'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial.Kasper S, Gastpar M, Müller WE, Volz HP, Möller HJ, Dienel A, Schläfke S Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2010 Sep; 25(5):277-87.
3. Drug cocktail interaction study on the effect of the orally administered lavender oil preparation silexan on cytochrome P450 enzymes in healthy volunteers. Doroshyenko O, Rokitta D, Zadoyan G, Klement S, Schläfke S, Dienel A, Gramatté T, Lück H, Fuhr U Drug Metab Dispos. 2013 May; 41(5):987-93.
4. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the leaf extracts and essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia Mill.Hajhashemi V, Ghannadi A, Sharif BJ Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Nov; 89(1):67-71.
5. Anti-inflammatory effects of 27 selected terpenoid compounds tested through modulating Th1/Th2 cytokine secretion profiles using murine primary splenocytes. Ku CM, Lin JY Food Chem. 2013 Nov 15; 141(2):1104-13.
6. Healing advantages of lavender essential oil during episiotomy recovery: a clinical trial. Vakilian K, Atarha M, Bekhradi R, Chaman R. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb; 17(1):50-3.
7. Lavender-thymol as a new topical aromatherapy preparation for episiotomy: A randomised clinical trial. Marzouk T, Barakat R, Ragab A, Badria F, Badawy A J Obstet Gynaecol. 2015; 35(5):472-5.
8. Topical lavender oil for the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulceration. Altaei DT Am J Dent. 2012 Feb; 25(1):39-43.
9. Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults. Moss M, Cook J, Wesnes K, Duckett P Int J Neurosci. 2003 Jan; 113(1):15-38.
10. Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental office.Lehrner J, Marwinski G, Lehr S, Johren P, Deecke LPhysiol Behav. 2005 Sep 15; 86(1-2):92-5.
11. Effects of orally administered lavender essential oil on responses to anxiety-provoking film clips. Bradley BF, Brown SL, Chu S, Lea RW Hum Psychopharmacol. 2009 Jun; 24(4):319-30.
12. Barker, Stephen C, and Phillip M Altman. “An ex Vivo, Assessor Blind, Randomised, Parallel Group, Comparative Efficacy Trial of the Ovicidal Activity of Three Pediculicides after a Single Application - Melaleuca Oil and Lavender Oil, Eucalyptus Oil and Lemon Tea Tree Oil, and a ‘Suffocation’ Pediculicide.” BMC Dermatology 11 (2011): 14. PMC. Web. 24 Jan. 2018.
13. Van der Ploeg, Eva S, Barbara Eppingstall, and Daniel W O’Connor. “The Study Protocol of a Blinded Randomised-Controlled Cross-over Trial of Lavender Oil as a Treatment of Behavioural Symptoms in Dementia.” BMC Geriatrics 10 (2010): 49. PMC. Web. 24 Jan. 2018.
14. Wolfe N, Herzberg J. Can aromatherapy oils promote sleep in severely demented patients? Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 1996;11:926–927. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1166(199610)11:10<926::aid-gps473>3.0.CO;2-1.
15. Effect of essential oils on the course of experimental atherosclerosis. Nikolaevskiĭ VV, Kononova NS, Pertsovskiĭ AI, Shinkarchuk IF Patol Fiziol Eksp Ter. 1990 Sep-Oct; (5):52-3.
16. Effect of Dietary Ethanolic Extract of Lavandula officinalis on Serum Lipids Profile in Rats.Rabiei Z, Rafieian-Kopaei M, Mokhtari S, Shahrani M Iran J Pharm Res. 2014 Fall; 13(4):1295-301.
17. Relaxation effects of lavender aromatherapy improve coronary flow velocity reserve in healthy men evaluated by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.Shiina Y, Funabashi N, Lee K, Toyoda T, Sekine T, Honjo S, Hasegawa R, Kawata T, Wakatsuki Y, Hayashi S, Murakami S, Koike K, Daimon M, Komuro I Int J Cardiol. 2008 Sep 26; 129(2):193-7.
18. Wang D, Guo X, Zhou M, Han J, Han B, Sun X. Cardioprotective effect of the aqueous extract of lavender flower against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Journal of Chemistry. 2014;2014:1–6.
19. Effect of lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia) on cerebral edema and its possible mechanisms in an experimental model of stroke. Vakili A, Sharifat S, Akhavan MM, Bandegi ARBrain Res. 2014 Feb 22; 1548():56-62.
20. Cardioprotective Effects of Essential Oil of Lavandula angustifolia on lsoproterenoI-induced Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rat. Ziaee M, Khorrami A, Ebrahimi M, Nourafcan H, Amiraslanzadeh M, Rameshrad M, Garjani M, Garjani A Iran J Pharm Res. 2015 Winter; 14(1):279-89.
21. Bakhtshirin, Froozan et al. “The Effect of Aromatherapy Massage with Lavender Oil on Severity of Primary Dysmenorrhea in Arsanjan Students.” Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research 20.1 (2015): 156–160. Print.
22. Vaziri, Farideh et al. “Effect of Lavender Oil Aroma in the Early Hours of Postpartum Period on Maternal Pains, Fatigue, and Mood: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” International Journal of Preventive Medicine 8 (2017): 29. PMC. Web. 24 Jan. 2018.
23. Hashemi, Sayyed Hossein, Ali Hajbagheri, and Mohammad Aghajani. “The Effect of Massage With Lavender Oil on Restless Leg Syndrome in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Nursing and Midwifery Studies 4.4 (2015): e29617. PMC. Web. 24 Jan. 2018.
24. Lee, Boo Hyeong, Jae Soon Lee, and Young Chul Kim. “Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice.” Toxicological Research 32.2 (2016): 103–108. PMC. Web. 24 Jan. 2018.
25. Seol, Geun Hee et al. “Randomized Controlled Trial for Salvia Sclarea or Lavandula Angustifolia: Differential Effects on Blood Pressure in Female Patients with Urinary Incontinence Undergoing Urodynamic Examination.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 19.7 (2013): 664–670. PMC. Web. 24 Jan. 2018.
26. Thosar, Nilima et al. “Antimicrobial Efficacy of Five Essential Oils against Oral Pathogens: An in Vitro Study.” European Journal of Dentistry 7.Suppl 1 (2013): S71–S77. PMC. Web. 24 Jan. 2018.