| The essential oil of lavender (in particular, of Lavandula | | | | Devices Commission E, a committee made up of |
| augustifolia) has been recognised for its healing | | | | scientists, toxicologists, doctors and pharmacists |
| properties since ancient times, and it has been used | | | | formed by the German government in 1978.(14) |
| traditionally to treat many disorders, including: | | | | Conclusion |
| - insomnia | | | | These findings still require further investigation, and |
| - skin complaints, such as dermatitis, acne, allergies, | | | | research into the medical properties of lavender and |
| insect bites, mild burns, athlete's foot and general | | | | other essential oils continues. The use of |
| wounds | | | | aromatherapy can not be recommended as a |
| - gastrointestinal disorders, such as flatulence | | | | substitute for medical care and, if taken for medical |
| - pain, such as headaches, rheumatism, muscular | | | | reasons, this should be under the guidance of a |
| aches, labour pains and period pains.(1) | | | | qualified aromatherapist. |
| Lavender was used extensively during World War I | | | | Nevertheless, it is slowly becoming evident that many |
| whenever medical supplies became scarce, to both | | | | of the traditional medicinal properties attributed to |
| prevent infection and relieve pain. The aroma of | | | | lavender could be based in scientific fact. |
| lavender has been reported to be calming,(2) and is | | | | References: |
| thought to be particularly useful in stressful situations.(1) | | | | |
| Until recently, evidence supporting the efficacy of | | | | 1. Lawless J. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential |
| lavender essential oil in these conditions has tended to | | | | Oils. Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995:56-67. |
| be largely anecdotal, but medical research is now | | | | 2. Buchbauer G et al. Aromatherapy: evidence for |
| beginning to show that this oil may indeed have | | | | sedative effects of the essential oil of lavender after |
| medicinal properties. A recent review of the biological | | | | inhalation. Z Naturforsch [C] 1991;46:1067-72. |
| activities of lavender essential oil concluded that there | | | | 3. Cavanagh HMA, Wilkinson JM. Biological activities of |
| is "both scientific and clinical data that support the | | | | lavender essential oil. Phytother Res 1002;16:301-8. |
| traditional uses of lavender".(3) | | | | 4. Lis-Balchin M et al. Relationship between bioactivity |
| Lavender essential oil prevents infection | | | | and chemical composition of commercial essential oils. |
| Lavender essential oil has been shown to have | | | | Flavour Fragr J 1008;13:98-1004. |
| antiseptic, antibiotic and antifungal activity,(4-7) and also | | | | 5. Hammer K et al. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils |
| to have efficacy in the laboratory against bacteria that | | | | and other plant extracts. J Appl Microbiol |
| are resistant to antibiotics (e.g. methicillin-resistant | | | | 1999;86:985-90. |
| Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA]).(6) | | | | 6. Nelson RR. In-vitro activities of five plant essential oils |
| Lavender essential oil aids insomnia and quality of | | | | against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and |
| sleep | | | | vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. J |
| Lavender aromatherapy was found to improve sleep | | | | Antimicrob Chemother 1997;40:305-6. |
| in older hospitalised patients, and reduced the need for | | | | 7. Horne D. Antimicrobial effects of essential oils on |
| night sedation.(8) Massage with lavender essential oil | | | | Streptococcus pneumoniae. JEOR 2001;13:387-92. |
| improved quality of sleep in patients with rheumatoid | | | | 8. Graham C. Complementary therapies: in the scent |
| arthritis.(9) | | | | of a good night's sleep. Nurs Stand 1995;9:21. |
| Lavender essential oil reduces anxiety | | | | 9. Brownfield A. Aromatherapy in arthritis: a study. Nurs |
| Lavender aromatherapy message has been shown to | | | | Stand 1998;13:34-5. |
| reduce levels of anxiety in intensive care patients,(10) | | | | 10. Dunn C et al. Sensing an improvement: an |
| and the aroma of lavender decreased anxiety in | | | | experimental study to evaluate the use of |
| patients undergoing haemodialysis.(11) | | | | aromatherapy, massage and periods of rest in an |
| Lavender essential oil relieves pain | | | | intensive care unit. J Adv Nurs 1995;21:34-40. |
| Massage with lavender oil reduced the perception of | | | | 11. Itai T et al. Psychological effects of aromatherapy |
| pain in patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis,(9) and | | | | on chronic hemodialysis patients. Psychiatry Clin |
| in women who had given birth, lavender baths reduced | | | | Neurosci 2000;54:393-7. |
| perineal pain and discomfort 3-5 days post-natally.(12) | | | | 12. Dale A, Cornwell S. The role of lavender oil in |
| Lavender essential oil controls alopecia (hair loss) | | | | relieving perineal discomfort following childbirth: a blind |
| A combination of lavender, rosemary, cedarwood and | | | | randomized clinical trial. J Adv Nurs 1994;19:89-96. |
| thyme essential oils has been reported to improve hair | | | | 13. Hay IC et al. Randomized trial of aromatherapy. |
| growth in patients with alopecia.(13) | | | | Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Arch |
| Lavender essential oil aids indigestion | | | | Dermatol 1998;134:1349-52. |
| Lavender is currently recommended for the treatment | | | | 14. Blumenthal M et al. Herbal Medicine: Expanded |
| of indigestion and nervous intestinal discomfort by the | | | | Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Integrative |
| German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical | | | | Medicine Communications, 2000:226-9. |