Products
Commercially available products include the pure essential oil, the medicinal drug, teas, baths and lavender oil capsules. Also used are lavender pillows (sachets containing the flowers) to aid sleep. Lavender is also used in cosmetics, perfumes, personal care products and aromatherapy.
Stem plant
The officinal lavender belongs to the labiates family (Lamiaceae) and is native to the Mediterranean region.
Medicinal drug
The lavender flowers (Lavandulae flos) are used as a medicinal herb, the dried flowers of (= ).
Ingredients
The ingredients include the essential oil (the lavender oil, Lavandulae aetheroleum) with components such as linalyl acetate and linalool, flavonoids, coumarins and tannins.
Effects
Lavender flower preparations have sedative, spasmolytic, antidepressant, antianxiety and antiseptic properties.
Indications for use
For restlessness, agitation, nervousness, anxiety and sleep disorders.
Dosage
According to the professional and patient information. The application depends on the product.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Children and adolescents under 12 or 18 years (no data, especially in relation to the oil).
- Pregnancy and lactation (no data)
Full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Interactions
An additive effect when centrally depressant drugs are administered cannot be ruled out.
Adverse effects
Ingestion of lavender oil capsules may cause belching, nausea, and allergic skin reactions. The oil should not be overdosed. Teas are usually better tolerated because they are less concentrated.
