Lavender benefits uses -
Lavender aromatherapy may benefit anxiety and insomnia. Lavender oil, traditionally used as an antiseptic agent, is now predominantly used as a
relaxant, carminative, and sedative in aromatherapy. [7] Lavender is originated from Mediterranean area and its neighborhoods and now it is
cultivated over the world. English lavender ( L. angustifolia ) is the most common species of lavender used in the herbal medicine.
Lavender benefits uses- research studies
Lavender benefits of muscle relaxation.
In a preliminary experiment, Japanese researchers found that lavender essential oil relaxed vascular smooth muscle. They further discovered a
chemical called linalyl acetate as the major ingredient to cause the relaxation effects on rabbit vascular smooth muscle. Linalyl acetate produced
sustained and progressive relaxation during the contraction through partially activation of nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway,
and partially MLC dephosphorylation via activating MLC phosphatase. [1]
Lavender benefits - insomnia and depression
In a 4-week study, Korean researchers supplied 42 women suffered from insomnia with lavender fragrance, they found improvements in insomnia
and depression. [2] In several occasions medications are often prescribed for these conditions, but it can become a problem in the long run if you
become dependent to them, if so seeking drug rehabilitation is a definite option.
Lavender benefits - high blood pressure.
Japanese researchers showed that olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil or its component - linalool lowered renal sympathetic nerve
activity and blood pressure and elevated gastric vagal (parasympathetic) nerve activity in urethane-anesthetized rats. [3]
Lavender benefits - appetite
Japanese researchers observed that olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil suppressed sympathetic nerve activities and elevated gastric
vagal (parasympathetic) nerve activity, decreased plasma glycerol concentration and body temperature, and enhanced appetite in rats. [3] A
15-min daily exposure to scent of lavender oil increased food intake and body weight in the study. [8]
Lavender benefits - pain relief.
Eight sessions of acupressure with aromatic lavender oil were found to be an effective method for short-term neck pain relief. [4]
Use of Lavender oil during recesses may improve work efficiency. A study of 36 healthy male students randomly assigned to exposure to aroma or
not exposed to aroma during recesses significantly higher attention levels for the lavender group than for the control group. [5] Probably, lavender
aroma allows a better rest.
Lavender benefits - anxiety and agitation.
Researchers stimulated dental procedures patients with lavender during their waiting in a study of 200 patients. They found that ambient odors of
orange and lavender reduced anxiety and improved mood in patients waiting for dental treatment. Use of odors is helpful in reducing anxiety in
dental patients. [6]
Researchers also found that a Lavender aromatherapy hand massage program is effective on emotions and aggressive behavior of elderly with
dementia of the Alzheimer's type. [9]
Researchers from UK found psychologically positive mood changes after the bathing regimen (20% lavender oil and 80% grapeseed oil) for
energetic arousal, tense arousal, hedonic tone and anger-frustration in a study of eighty women not receiving treatment for psychological
disorders. [12]
Researchers also found that lavender oil administered in an aroma stream showed modest efficacy in the treatment of agitated behavior in
patients suffered from severe dementia. [13]
Japanese researchers claimed that lavender odorants were associated with reduced mental stress and increased arousal rate. In the study, the
researchers placed subjects into a (2 x 2- x 3 m) sound protected room for 20 min without the presentation of an odor, an analogous group of 15
received the odor oil, and one group of 13 received a non-stressful condition. They then analyzed the responses from the Cox and Mackay's
stress/arousal adjective checklist. [14]
Lavender benefits - cancer risks.
Researchers from Italy showed lavender oil exerted strong antimutagenic activity, reducing mutant colonies in the TA98 strain exposed to the
direct mutagen 2-nitrofluorene. Antimutagenicity was concentration-dependent: the maximal concentration (0.80 mg/plate) reduced the number of
histidine-independent revertant colonies by 66.4%. Lavender oil (0.80 mg/plate) also showed moderate antimutagenicity against the TA98 strain
exposed to the direct mutagen 1-nitropyrene. [7]
Lavender benefits of anti-bacterial activities.
Spanish lavender essential oils exhibited a very strong antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria in a test-tube study. [10]
Lavender benefits for hair
No report is found to support lavender has benefits for hair, as of August 27, 2011
SIDE EFFECTS OF LAVENDER OIL - Are there lavender benefits for skin?
"By massaging lavender oil into the skin, it can be used to treat skin problems such as acne, burns, dry skin, eczema, itchy skin, sunburn,
seborrhea, and skin inflammation." -- this claim appears in several websites. What actually reported in scientific journals about lavender "benefits"
for skin:
A study of 635 women on perineal discomfort reported no side-effects of lavender oil. [15] However, it was found that lavender oil is cytotoxic to
human skin cells in vitro (endothelial cells and fibroblasts) at a concentration of 0.25% (v/v) in all cell types tested (HMEC-1, HNDF and 153BR).
[11] It may be related to cell membrane damage.
Further, lavender oil lacks natural protection against autoxidation, and that air-exposed lavender oil can be an important source of exposure to
allergenic hydroperoxides. [A1] Sköld M, and co-workers at Göteborg University report that linalool, present in lavender oil, autoxidizes on air
exposure, forming allergenic oxidation products. Oxidized linalool was found to be a frequent cause of contact allergy in a patch test study on
consecutive dermatitis patients. Linalyl acetate, the main component of lavender oil is commonly used as a fragrance chemical in scented
products. They investigated the autoxidation of linalyl acetate and the influence of oxidation on its sensitizing potency and concluded that
autoxidation of the weakly allergenic linalyl acetate leads to formation of allergenic oxidation products. [A2]
Toxicity for albino rats was reported to be very low. [16] However, lavender may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. In
theory, lavender may also add to the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs. I would not apply excessive amounts of lavender oil to my skin. Please
consult with your doctor for the use of lavender oil or other lavender products.
[1] Koto R, et al, Linalyl acetate as a major ingredient of lavender essential oil relaxes the rabbit vascular smooth muscle through dephosphorylation of myosin
light chain. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2006 Jul;48(1):850-6. [2] Lee IS, et al, Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college
studentsTaehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2006 Feb;36(1):136-43. [3] Tanida M, et al, Olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil affects autonomic
neurotransmission and blood pressure in rats. Neurosci Lett. 2006 May 1;398(1-2):155-60. Epub 2006 Jan 25. [4] Yip YB, et al, An experimental study on the
effectiveness of acupressure with aromatic lavender essential oil for sub-acute, non-specific neck pain in Hong Kong. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2006
Feb;12(1):18-26. Epub 2005 Nov 8. [5] Sakamoto R, et al, Effectiveness of aroma on work efficiency: lavender aroma during recesses prevents deterioration of
work performance. Chem Senses. 2005 Oct;30(8):683-91. Epub 2005 Sep 14. [6] Lehrner J, et al, Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and
improve mood in a dental office. Physiol Behav. 2005 Sep 15;86(1-2):92-5. [7] Evandri MG, et al, The antimutagenic activity of Lavandula angustifolia (lavender)
essential oil in the bacterial reverse mutation assay. Food Chem Toxicol. 2005 Sep;43(9):1381-7. [8] Shen J, et al, Olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil
affects autonomic nerves, lipolysis and appetite in rats. Neurosci Lett. 2005 Jul 22-29;383(1-2):188-93. [9] Lee SY. The effect of lavender aromatherapy on
cognitive function, emotion, and aggressive behavior of elderly with dementia Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2005 Apr;35(2):303-12. [10] Dadalioglu I, Evrendilek GA.
Chemical compositions and antibacterial effects of essential oils of Turkish oregano (Origanum minutiflorum), bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), Spanish lavender
(Lavandula stoechas L.), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) on common foodborne pathogens. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Dec 29;52(26):8255-60. [11] Prashar A, et
al, Cytotoxicity of lavender oil and its major components to human skin cells. Cell Prolif. 2004 Jun;37(3):221-9. [12] Morris N. The effects of lavender (Lavendula
angustifolium) baths on psychological well-being: two exploratory randomised control trials. Complement Ther Med. 2002 Dec;10(4):223-8. [13] Holmes C, et al,
Lavender oil as a treatment for agitated behaviour in severe dementia: a placebo controlled study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2002 Apr;17(4):305-8. [14] Motomura N,
et al, Reduction of mental stress with lavender odorant. Percept Mot Skills. 2001 Dec;93(3):713-8. [15] Dale A, Cornwell S. The role of lavender oil in relieving
perineal discomfort following childbirth: a blind randomized clinical trial. J Adv Nurs. 1994 Jan;19(1):89-96. [16] Delaveau P, et al, Neuro-depressive properties of
essential oil of lavenderC R Seances Soc Biol Fil. 1989;183(4):342-8. [A1] Hagvall L, Sköld M, Bråred-Christensson J, Börje A, Karlberg AT. Lavender oil lacks
natural protection against autoxidation, forming strong contact allergens on air exposure. Contact Dermatitis. 2008 Sep;59(3):143-50. [A2] Sköld M, Hagvall L,
Karlberg AT. Autoxidation of linalyl acetate, the main component of lavender oil, creates potent contact allergens. Contact Dermatitis. 2008 Jan;58(1):9-14.
Lavender aromatherapy may benefit anxiety and insomnia. Lavender oil, traditionally used as an antiseptic agent, is now predominantly used as a
relaxant, carminative, and sedative in aromatherapy. [7] Lavender is originated from Mediterranean area and its neighborhoods and now it is
cultivated over the world. English lavender ( L. angustifolia ) is the most common species of lavender used in the herbal medicine.
Lavender benefits uses- research studies
Lavender benefits of muscle relaxation.
In a preliminary experiment, Japanese researchers found that lavender essential oil relaxed vascular smooth muscle. They further discovered a
chemical called linalyl acetate as the major ingredient to cause the relaxation effects on rabbit vascular smooth muscle. Linalyl acetate produced
sustained and progressive relaxation during the contraction through partially activation of nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway,
and partially MLC dephosphorylation via activating MLC phosphatase. [1]
Lavender benefits - insomnia and depression
In a 4-week study, Korean researchers supplied 42 women suffered from insomnia with lavender fragrance, they found improvements in insomnia
and depression. [2] In several occasions medications are often prescribed for these conditions, but it can become a problem in the long run if you
become dependent to them, if so seeking drug rehabilitation is a definite option.
Lavender benefits - high blood pressure.
Japanese researchers showed that olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil or its component - linalool lowered renal sympathetic nerve
activity and blood pressure and elevated gastric vagal (parasympathetic) nerve activity in urethane-anesthetized rats. [3]
Lavender benefits - appetite
Japanese researchers observed that olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil suppressed sympathetic nerve activities and elevated gastric
vagal (parasympathetic) nerve activity, decreased plasma glycerol concentration and body temperature, and enhanced appetite in rats. [3] A
15-min daily exposure to scent of lavender oil increased food intake and body weight in the study. [8]
Lavender benefits - pain relief.
Eight sessions of acupressure with aromatic lavender oil were found to be an effective method for short-term neck pain relief. [4]
Use of Lavender oil during recesses may improve work efficiency. A study of 36 healthy male students randomly assigned to exposure to aroma or
not exposed to aroma during recesses significantly higher attention levels for the lavender group than for the control group. [5] Probably, lavender
aroma allows a better rest.
Lavender benefits - anxiety and agitation.
Researchers stimulated dental procedures patients with lavender during their waiting in a study of 200 patients. They found that ambient odors of
orange and lavender reduced anxiety and improved mood in patients waiting for dental treatment. Use of odors is helpful in reducing anxiety in
dental patients. [6]
Researchers also found that a Lavender aromatherapy hand massage program is effective on emotions and aggressive behavior of elderly with
dementia of the Alzheimer's type. [9]
Researchers from UK found psychologically positive mood changes after the bathing regimen (20% lavender oil and 80% grapeseed oil) for
energetic arousal, tense arousal, hedonic tone and anger-frustration in a study of eighty women not receiving treatment for psychological
disorders. [12]
Researchers also found that lavender oil administered in an aroma stream showed modest efficacy in the treatment of agitated behavior in
patients suffered from severe dementia. [13]
Japanese researchers claimed that lavender odorants were associated with reduced mental stress and increased arousal rate. In the study, the
researchers placed subjects into a (2 x 2- x 3 m) sound protected room for 20 min without the presentation of an odor, an analogous group of 15
received the odor oil, and one group of 13 received a non-stressful condition. They then analyzed the responses from the Cox and Mackay's
stress/arousal adjective checklist. [14]
Lavender benefits - cancer risks.
Researchers from Italy showed lavender oil exerted strong antimutagenic activity, reducing mutant colonies in the TA98 strain exposed to the
direct mutagen 2-nitrofluorene. Antimutagenicity was concentration-dependent: the maximal concentration (0.80 mg/plate) reduced the number of
histidine-independent revertant colonies by 66.4%. Lavender oil (0.80 mg/plate) also showed moderate antimutagenicity against the TA98 strain
exposed to the direct mutagen 1-nitropyrene. [7]
Lavender benefits of anti-bacterial activities.
Spanish lavender essential oils exhibited a very strong antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria in a test-tube study. [10]
Lavender benefits for hair
No report is found to support lavender has benefits for hair, as of August 27, 2011
SIDE EFFECTS OF LAVENDER OIL - Are there lavender benefits for skin?
"By massaging lavender oil into the skin, it can be used to treat skin problems such as acne, burns, dry skin, eczema, itchy skin, sunburn,
seborrhea, and skin inflammation." -- this claim appears in several websites. What actually reported in scientific journals about lavender "benefits"
for skin:
A study of 635 women on perineal discomfort reported no side-effects of lavender oil. [15] However, it was found that lavender oil is cytotoxic to
human skin cells in vitro (endothelial cells and fibroblasts) at a concentration of 0.25% (v/v) in all cell types tested (HMEC-1, HNDF and 153BR).
[11] It may be related to cell membrane damage.
Further, lavender oil lacks natural protection against autoxidation, and that air-exposed lavender oil can be an important source of exposure to
allergenic hydroperoxides. [A1] Sköld M, and co-workers at Göteborg University report that linalool, present in lavender oil, autoxidizes on air
exposure, forming allergenic oxidation products. Oxidized linalool was found to be a frequent cause of contact allergy in a patch test study on
consecutive dermatitis patients. Linalyl acetate, the main component of lavender oil is commonly used as a fragrance chemical in scented
products. They investigated the autoxidation of linalyl acetate and the influence of oxidation on its sensitizing potency and concluded that
autoxidation of the weakly allergenic linalyl acetate leads to formation of allergenic oxidation products. [A2]
Toxicity for albino rats was reported to be very low. [16] However, lavender may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. In
theory, lavender may also add to the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs. I would not apply excessive amounts of lavender oil to my skin. Please
consult with your doctor for the use of lavender oil or other lavender products.
[1] Koto R, et al, Linalyl acetate as a major ingredient of lavender essential oil relaxes the rabbit vascular smooth muscle through dephosphorylation of myosin
light chain. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2006 Jul;48(1):850-6. [2] Lee IS, et al, Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college
studentsTaehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2006 Feb;36(1):136-43. [3] Tanida M, et al, Olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil affects autonomic
neurotransmission and blood pressure in rats. Neurosci Lett. 2006 May 1;398(1-2):155-60. Epub 2006 Jan 25. [4] Yip YB, et al, An experimental study on the
effectiveness of acupressure with aromatic lavender essential oil for sub-acute, non-specific neck pain in Hong Kong. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2006
Feb;12(1):18-26. Epub 2005 Nov 8. [5] Sakamoto R, et al, Effectiveness of aroma on work efficiency: lavender aroma during recesses prevents deterioration of
work performance. Chem Senses. 2005 Oct;30(8):683-91. Epub 2005 Sep 14. [6] Lehrner J, et al, Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and
improve mood in a dental office. Physiol Behav. 2005 Sep 15;86(1-2):92-5. [7] Evandri MG, et al, The antimutagenic activity of Lavandula angustifolia (lavender)
essential oil in the bacterial reverse mutation assay. Food Chem Toxicol. 2005 Sep;43(9):1381-7. [8] Shen J, et al, Olfactory stimulation with scent of lavender oil
affects autonomic nerves, lipolysis and appetite in rats. Neurosci Lett. 2005 Jul 22-29;383(1-2):188-93. [9] Lee SY. The effect of lavender aromatherapy on
cognitive function, emotion, and aggressive behavior of elderly with dementia Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2005 Apr;35(2):303-12. [10] Dadalioglu I, Evrendilek GA.
Chemical compositions and antibacterial effects of essential oils of Turkish oregano (Origanum minutiflorum), bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), Spanish lavender
(Lavandula stoechas L.), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) on common foodborne pathogens. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Dec 29;52(26):8255-60. [11] Prashar A, et
al, Cytotoxicity of lavender oil and its major components to human skin cells. Cell Prolif. 2004 Jun;37(3):221-9. [12] Morris N. The effects of lavender (Lavendula
angustifolium) baths on psychological well-being: two exploratory randomised control trials. Complement Ther Med. 2002 Dec;10(4):223-8. [13] Holmes C, et al,
Lavender oil as a treatment for agitated behaviour in severe dementia: a placebo controlled study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2002 Apr;17(4):305-8. [14] Motomura N,
et al, Reduction of mental stress with lavender odorant. Percept Mot Skills. 2001 Dec;93(3):713-8. [15] Dale A, Cornwell S. The role of lavender oil in relieving
perineal discomfort following childbirth: a blind randomized clinical trial. J Adv Nurs. 1994 Jan;19(1):89-96. [16] Delaveau P, et al, Neuro-depressive properties of
essential oil of lavenderC R Seances Soc Biol Fil. 1989;183(4):342-8. [A1] Hagvall L, Sköld M, Bråred-Christensson J, Börje A, Karlberg AT. Lavender oil lacks
natural protection against autoxidation, forming strong contact allergens on air exposure. Contact Dermatitis. 2008 Sep;59(3):143-50. [A2] Sköld M, Hagvall L,
Karlberg AT. Autoxidation of linalyl acetate, the main component of lavender oil, creates potent contact allergens. Contact Dermatitis. 2008 Jan;58(1):9-14.
 |  |  |  |  |
lavender benefits and side effects,
health, oil, properties, and uses
health, oil, properties, and uses
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Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights
reserved. Portions of this article may be freely copied to other blogs and websites, but credit and link to this article are required.
August 27 2011
reserved. Portions of this article may be freely copied to other blogs and websites, but credit and link to this article are required.
August 27 2011
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