English Lavender

English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region, the Arabian Peninsula, and Russia (Lavender, 2007). In ancient Rome lavender was used to scent bathwater; the name lavender comes from the Latin verb “lavare” which means “to wash” (Prusinowska & Smigielski, 2014). The aroma of lavender is popular and this evergreen plant is used in perfumes, cleaning products, and potpourri. Medicinally, lavender oil capsules are used to treat mild to severe anxiety and a few clinical studies have shown it to be similarly effective as medications commonly used to treat anxiety (Kasper et al., 2010, 2014, 2014; Uehleke et al., 2012; Woelk & Schlafke, 2010). Lavender aromatherapy is used to treat depression and some evidence has shown that it is helpful in reducing symptoms, particularly in women experiencing postpartum depression (Conrad & Adams, 2012; Kianpour et al., 2016; Xiong et al., 2018). One study has shown lavender oil, in a combination with essential oils from cedarwood, thyme, and rosemary, to be successful in improving hair growth (Hay et al., 1998).
Historical Use
Historically, the medicinal properties of lavender have been described in many herbal texts. This excerpt, from A nievve herbal, produced in 1578 by Rembert Dodoens, describes the virtues of lavender. The text indicates that lavender may be taken alone or mixed with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to “[cure the beating of the heart.]”

Similarly, this excerpt from The Herbal by John Gerard, produced in 1633 promotes mixing lavender in compositions for “head-ace of long continuance” and promotes drinking a decoction of the husks and flowers for “cleansing and driving forth all evill and corrupt humors.”

Latest Research
- Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities of essential oils from Moroccan medicinal plants: Mentha suaveolens, Lavandula stoechas, and Ammi visnagaby Naoufal El Hachlafi on June 2, 2023 at 10:00 am
Mentha suaveolens, Lavandula stoechas, and Ammi visnaga are widely used in Moroccan folk medicine against several pathological disorders, including diabetes and infectious diseases. This work was designed to determine the chemical profile of M. suaveolens (MSEO), L. stoechas (LSEO), and A. visnaga (AVEO) essential oils and assess their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic effects. The volatile components of LSEO, AVEO, and MSEO were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry…
- Lavandula Species, Their Bioactive Phytochemicals, and Their Biosynthetic Regulationby Miroslav Habán on May 27, 2023 at 10:00 am
Lavandula species are one of the most useful aromatic and medicinal plants and have great economic potential. The phytopharmaceutical contribution of the secondary metabolites of the species is unquestionable. Most recent studies have been focusing on the elucidation of the genetic background of secondary metabolite production in lavender species. Therefore, knowledge of not only genetic but especially epigenetic mechanisms for the regulation of secondary metabolites is necessary for the…
- The immediate effects of lavender-based essential oil inhalation on subsequent polysomnography in people with poor sleep qualityby Chun-Pai Yang on April 25, 2023 at 10:00 am
CONCLUSION: Both SLEO and CLEO extended TST and SPT, with no significant differences between these two groups. These results warrant practical applications and merit future studies (Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT03933553).
- The effect of topically administered lavender aromatherapy on the pain of insulin injection in diabetic patients: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trialby Hatice Demirağ on March 22, 2023 at 10:00 am
BACKGROUND: Needle phobia occurs in more than half of diabetic patients due to the pain caused by frequent insulin injections. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of topically administered lavender aromatherapy on the pain of insulin injections in diabetic patients.
- Effects of aromatherapy with Rosa damascene and lavender on pain and anxiety of burn patients: A systematic review and meta-analysisby Ramyar Farzan on January 18, 2023 at 11:00 am
Pain and anxiety were considered the most common complications of treatment procedures in burn patients. Non-pharmacological drugs, including aromatherapy, can decrease these issues. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to summarise the effects of aromatherapy with Rosa damascene (RD) and lavender on the pain and anxiety of burn patients. A systematic search was performed on international electronic databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, as well as on Iranian electronic…
References
Conrad, P., & Adams, C. (2012). The effects of clinical aromatherapy for anxiety and depression in the high risk postpartum woman—A pilot study. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 18(3), 164–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2012.05.002
Hay, I. C., Jamieson, M., & Ormerod, A. D. (1998). Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Archives of Dermatology, 134(11), 1349–1352. https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.134.11.1349
Kasper, S., Gastpar, M., Muller, W. E., Volz, H.-P., Moller, H.-J., Dienel, A., & Schlafke, S. (2010). Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of “subsyndromal” anxiety disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 25(5), 277–287. https://doi.org/10.1097/YIC.0b013e32833b3242
Kasper, S., Gastpar, M., Muller, W. E., Volz, H.-P., Moller, H.-J., Schlafke, S., & Dienel, A. (2014). Lavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder—A randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetine. The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 17(6), 859–869. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1461145714000017
Kianpour, M., Mansouri, A., Mehrabi, T., & Asghari, G. (2016). Effect of lavender scent inhalation on prevention of stress, anxiety and depression in the postpartum period. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 21(2), 197–201. https://doi.org/10.4103/1735-9066.178248
Lavender. (2007, March 1). NCCIH. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/lavender/ataglance.htm
Prusinowska, R., & Smigielski, K. (2014). Composition, biological properties and therapeutic effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.). A review. Herba Polonica, 60(2), 56–66.
Uehleke, B., Schaper, S., Dienel, A., Schlaefke, S., & Stange, R. (2012). Phase II trial on the effects of Silexan in patients with neurasthenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or somatization disorder. Phytomedicine : International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology, 19(8–9), 665–671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2012.02.020
Woelk, H., & Schlafke, S. (2010). A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder. Phytomedicine : International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology, 17(2), 94–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2009.10.006
Xiong, M., Li, Y., Tang, P., Zhang, Y., Cao, M., Ni, J., & Xing, M. (2018). Effectiveness of Aromatherapy Massage and Inhalation on Symptoms of Depression in Chinese Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 24(7), 717–724. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0320
Other Resources
Natural Medicines record: Lavender (Access to UI only)
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: https://nccih.nih.gov/health/lavender/ataglance.htm