Lavender

What is it

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant that can reach one meter in height. It is native to the Mediterranean regions and is also widely distributed in the Middle East.

The flowers with a characteristic blue-violet color and all the aerial parts of the plant are used to prepare essential oil or dry extract titrated in essence (minimum 4%).

Activities

Lavender has calming, anxiolytic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

The essential oil is rich in functional substances such as terpenes, tannins, flavonoids, coumarin derivatives, rosmarinic acid and phytosterols.

Lavender acts on the central nervous system with sedative and anxiolytic action and, in addition, promotes muscle relaxation.

The essential oil also has a proven antibacterial activity.

To learn more, read also the article Anxiety, let’s defend ourselves with herbs.

Why is it used

Due to its activity on the nervous system, lavender is used against restlessness, insomnia, nervousness, depression and to soothe mild painful conditions. It can also be used in children to treat mild or moderate anxiety.

Lavender flowers are antiseptics and disinfectants and can be used in the flu as they also improve bronchial secretions.

In addition, lavender essential oil is valued as a repellent for mosquitoes and other insects.

How to use it

Anxious people can find an improvement in their psychophysical well-being by adding lavender essential oil to the hot water of the bath and remaining immersed for a few minutes.

The neurosedative and relaxing action is also evident when lavender is used inhaled; Massages with lavender essential oil also have a beneficial relaxing and sedative effect.

Lavender essential oil has antibacterial action, and also seems to be active against fungi and yeasts.

Effects

Oral intake of the essential oil may have toxic effects in case of overdose. In sensitive individuals, contact or inhalation of lavender essential oil may result in allergic dermatitis.

Precautions

Applying products containing lavender essential oil to the skin may not be safe for children and teens who have not yet reached puberty.

More often the problem concerns the hormonal alteration that in boys is manifested by abnormal breast growth (gynecomastia).

There is insufficient evidence for safe use in pregnancy and lactation and must be used under the supervision of a doctor or pharmacist in children under 12 years of age.

Interactions

Lavender should be used with caution when taking barbiturates as it can increase drowsiness and enhance the sedative effects of these drugs.

Nutritional values

100 grams of lavender contain: