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Lavender
The herb lavender, pronounced - LA-vun-der, is native to the Mediterranean region. It was used in ancient Egypt as part of the process for mummifying bodies. Lavender's use as a bath additive originated in Persia, Greece, and Rome. The herb's name comes from the Latin lavare, which means "to wash."
Common Names - lavender, English lavender, garden lavender
Latin Names - Lavandula angustifolia
Some Uses of Lavender Include:
- Historically, lavender was used as an antiseptic and for mental health purposes.
Today, the herb is used for conditions such as:
- Anxiety.
- Restlessness.
- Insomnia.
- Depression.
- Headache.
- Upset stomach.
- Hair loss - alopecia - hair loss (lavender used on the skin) - small trials have shown that patients who massage essential oils (thyme, rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood) into their scalps daily showed more improvement than the control group. More research of lavender alone is needed before a strong recommendation can be made.
How Lavender Is Used
- Lavender is most commonly used in aromatherapy (a therapy in which the scent of essential oils from flowers, herbs, and trees is inhaled to promote health and well-being), in which the scent of the essential oil from the flowers is inhaled.
- The essential oil can also be diluted with another oil and applied to the skin.
- Dried lavender flowers can be used to make teas or liquid extracts that can be taken by mouth.
What Science Says
- There is little scientific evidence of lavender's effectiveness for most health uses.
- Small studies on lavender for anxiety show mixed results.
- Some preliminary results indicate that lavender oil, combined with oils from other herbs, may help with hair loss from a condition called alopecia areata.
Side Effects and Cautions of Lavender
- Topical use of diluted lavender oil or use of lavender as aromatherapy is generally considered safe for most adults. However, applying lavender oil to the skin can cause irritation.
- Lavender oil may be poisonous if taken by mouth.
- When lavender teas and extracts are taken by mouth, they may cause headache, changes in appetite, and constipation.
- Using lavender with sedative medications may increase drowsiness.
- Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
General Safety Advisory:
Like drugs, herbal or botanical preparations have chemical and biological activity. They may have side effects. They may interact with certain medications. These interactions can cause problems and can even be dangerous. Before taking an herb or a botanical preparation, consult a doctor or other health care provider, especially if you have a disease or medical condition, take any medications, are pregnant or nursing, or are planning to have an operation. Statements made about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dietary supplements do not require FDA approval to be sold in the United States.
References:
1) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) - National Institutes of Health (NIH) - March 2007 - nccam.nih.gov/health
2) Medlineplus - February 2008 - www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
This summary is a general overview about the topic discussed and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Full Disclaimer & General Safety Advisory