What is the effect of lavender?
True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an ancient medicinal plant. The active ingredients are the (with linalyl acetate, linaool etc.) and the tannins in the flowers. The following effects have been described for lavender:
- centrally depressant, calming, anxiolytic and mood-enhancing
- Anti-flatulent (carminative)
- nerve-protective (neuroprotective)
- antispasmodic (anticonvulsant)
- antiseptic (antimicrobial)
Lavender is also sometimes said to have other healing powers. For example, there are indications that lavender oil used externally together with the oil of other medicinal plants can help with circular hair loss (alopecia areata).
Medically recognized application
Lavender oil has been proven to help against anxiety in anxious moods. It is approved for this application.
Both lavender oil and lavender flowers can also be used as a traditional herbal medicine to alleviate mild stress and exhaustion or to promote sleep. Lavender can also be used externally as a bath additive.
How is lavender used?
The medicinal plant lavender can be used in various ways for healing purposes.
Lavender as a household remedy
The dried flowers of lavender (Lavandulae flos), which are stripped from the stem, are used medicinally.
You can prepare a lavender tea for nervous complaints, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia and digestive problems. To do this, pour 150 milliliters of hot (not boiling!) water over one to two teaspoons of the dried flowers, leave the infusion to infuse for five to ten minutes under a lid and then strain the plant parts. You can drink such a cup warm several times a day. For children between the ages of four and ten, please prepare the cup of lavender tea with only one gram of the medicinal herb.
A soothing full bath with lavender can also be helpful for the ailments mentioned: As a bath additive, pour two liters of hot water over 100 grams of lavender flowers, leave the brew to infuse for five minutes, then strain and add to bath water at 37 to 38 degrees.
For small children with problems falling asleep, it is sometimes enough to place a bunch of lavender or a lavender cushion (dried lavender flowers in a cotton bag) near the bed.
Lavender in aromatherapy
Unless otherwise stated, the following formulations apply to healthy adults. For children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly and people with certain underlying conditions (such as asthma, epilepsy), the dosage often needs to be reduced or some essential oils must be avoided altogether. You should therefore first discuss the use of essential oils in such patient groups with an aromatherapist (e.g. a doctor or alternative practitioner with appropriate additional training).
The essential oil isolated from lavender flowers (“lavender oil”, Lavandulae aetheroleum) is an “all-rounder” in aromatherapy – it is extremely versatile, both on its own and in mixtures with other essential oils. Common areas of application for lavender oil are, for example
- Skin diseases and skin problems (eczema, acne, psoriasis, boils, abscesses, allergic skin reactions, skin ulcers, itching, sunburn, insect bites, hair loss, scars and wounds of all kinds, etc.).
- Headaches, muscle aches, toothaches and earaches
- Flatulence (meteorism) and other digestive disorders
- Colds, bronchitis
- Sprains and strains
- Anxiety, panic attacks, stress, nervousness and sleep disorders
Lavender oil is generally used externally.
Apply to the skin
If you have a toothache, you can apply a drop of lavender oil to the aching gums. For earache, drip a drop onto a absorbent cotton ball and place it on the outside of the ear (do not press it into the ear canal!).
Massage
For a massage with lavender oil, mix one to three drops of lavender oil into four to five tablespoons of a fatty base oil (e.g. almond or jojoba oil). You can gently rub this into your temples, forehead and neck, for example, if you have a headache (do not put it in your eyes!). A lavender oil neck massage can also be beneficial for neck tension.
You can also rub the lavender massage oil into the affected areas for skin problems, bloating, cramps (e.g. abdominal cramps, menstrual pain), muscle and joint pain. A full body massage with lavender oil can help with nervousness, insomnia, stress, anxiety and panic attacks.
Lavender oil bath
A lavender oil bath is also recommended for psychological complaints (anxiety, nervous restlessness, sleep problems, etc.) as well as for bloating, muscle pain, headaches and itchy skin. For a full bath, mix two to three tablespoons of honey with six to eight drops of lavender oil. Then stir the mixture into the bath water. The honey acts as an emulsifier to ensure that the essential oil, which is not soluble in water, and the bath water mix.
Inhalation
Aromatherapists recommend inhaling with lavender oil for colds, runny nose, sore throat and bronchitis, for example: mix a tablespoon of honey with one to three drops of lavender oil and stir into a bowl of 250 to 500 ml of warm water. Now hold your head over it, cover your head and the bowl with a towel (so that no steam can escape) and breathe in and out slowly and deeply.
A “dry inhalation” with lavender oil can alleviate anxiety, sleep problems, nervousness, stress and panic attacks: Rub a drop of lavender oil in the palms of your hands and then smell it. Alternatively, you can drizzle one or two drops of lavender oil onto a (paper) handkerchief and “sniff” it repeatedly. In the evening, you can place the handkerchief on the bedside table or next to the pillow (away from the eyes!).
Ready-made preparations with lavender
Lavender flowers are often offered together with other medicinal plants as a tea blend. For example, it makes sense to combine it with valerian (for anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, etc.) or with caraway, aniseed or fennel (for digestive complaints such as flatulence).
Please read the package leaflet or ask your doctor or pharmacist for the correct dosage and use of such ready-to-use preparations.
What side effects can lavender cause?
Lavender can cause headaches in sensitive people.
If lavender oil is used internally, it can cause temporary belching, nausea or constipation. Allergic skin reactions sometimes occur when used on the skin.
What you should bear in mind when using lavender
Do not use lavender, lavender oil and corresponding preparations if you are allergic to the medicinal plant.
Full baths are not recommended in certain cases, such as open wounds, fever, circulatory problems and cardiac insufficiency.
Be careful when taking lavender preparations and sedatives at the same time. As a general rule, always discuss the simultaneous intake of medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) and medicinal plants with your doctor or pharmacist first.
The following applies to lavender oil and other essential oils: Only use 100 percent natural essential oils – preferably those obtained from organically grown plants or from wild collections.
Sometimes it is also recommended to take lavender oil, for example on a lump of sugar cube for nervous restlessness and sleep disorders. However, always discuss internal use with an aromatherapist first! They can tell you the correct dosage and in which cases it is not recommended (e.g. pregnancy, small children).
How to obtain lavender and its products
The medicinal plant can be purchased in the form of various finished medicinal products in pharmacies or drugstores. For example, you can find the essential oil, lavender tablets, capsules, various tea preparations and bath additives with lavender. You can find out how to use and dose these preparations correctly from the respective package leaflet and from your doctor or pharmacist.
A wide variety of care products (such as creams, lotions, shampoos), detergents and scented cushions are also available.
Interesting facts about lavender
The warmth-loving true lavender is native to the Mediterranean region, where it is also grown commercially – as well as in French Provence, Spain and south-eastern Europe. Lavender is also a popular ornamental plant that can be found in many gardens.
Lavender or lavender oil is used on a large scale in the cosmetics industry, for example in the production of soaps, shampoos, lotions, bath oils and perfumes. The oil is added to food and beverages as a flavoring component and to detergents as a fragrance. Dried lavender flowers are also often found in scented pillows for the linen cupboard or in pillows.
