LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OILS RESEARCH
Lavender has also been clinically evaluated for its relaxing effects. It may be used to cleanse cuts, bruises, and skin irritations. The fragrance is calming, relaxing, and balancing -- physically and emotionally.
LAVENDER May be used to cleanse cuts, bruises, and skin irritations. The fragrance is calming, relaxing, and balancing -- physically and emotionally.
Lavender (Buy Now)
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Lavandula
Species: Angustifolia
Lavender has been used in folk medicine for centuries to calm stress and promote sleep. Tradition relates how lavender flowers were put in linen bags under pillows to promote sleep. Lavender flowers were used in ancient Rome to scent public baths and were also carried by the Roman army as a disinfectant. Modern clinical research supports the ability of aromatic lavender to reduce stress and agitation.
Lavender vs. Caffeine Agitation (Buchbauer et al., 1994) University of Vienna found that diffusing lavender oil into the air reduced the agitation of test subjects injected with caffeine. Lavender outperformed its two main constituents, linalol and linalyl acetate, suggesting a synergistic effect.
Lavender Improves Sleep (G. Cannard, 1993) A study at the Tullamore General Hospital in Ireland applied one drop of a lavender oil blend to each of the four corners of patients' mattresses. The lavender oil blend was also vaporized into the air during the night.
Lavender for Sleep (Wolfe, 1996) A study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry reported results of a pilot study of two patients with dementia. Nighttime aromatherapy with the essential oils of lavender and Roman chamomile increased the duration of one patient's sleep and resulted in the second patient being taken off sleep medication.
Lavender for Daytime Alertness (Hudson, 1995) One drop of lavender oil was applied to the pillows of nine elderly patients for one week each night. Eight of the nine patients reported improved wakefulness and alertness during the day, suggesting improved and higher quality sleep at night.
Lavender vs. Insomnia (Hardy et al., 1995) A study published in The Lancet reported on using lavender oil to treat geriatric patients with chronic insomnia. Researchers found that inhalation of ambient lavender oil outperformed sleep medications in improving sleep duration and quality. No side effects were reported.
Lavender vs. Sleep (R. Hudson, 1996) A controlled clinical trial tested the ability of nighttime lavender aromas to improve sleep in elderly patients.
- 72% of patients receiving lavender aromatherapy slept well
- 11% of lavender patients receiving no odor slept well
- 79% of lavender patients reported having a good day
- 26% of no-odor patients reported having a good day
The Sense of Smell Institute (New York), in conjunction with Wesleyan University, has tested the effects of lavender on nighttime sleep and found that it improved sleep in men and women.
(2004-02-04) In the study, Namni Goel found that lavender increased the amount of time subjects spend in slow wave, or deep sleep, resulting in increased energy and alertness the next day.
Lavender vs. Cognitive Abilities (Knasko, 1992) A randomized controlled study tested the effect of lavender aroma on 92 adults. Researchers found that subjects in the lavender group displayed better cognitive abilities and better moods than the unscented control group.
(Diego et al., 1999) A University of Miami study administered 3 minutes of aromatherapy to 40 healthy adults. Researchers found that subjects exposed to lavender aromas were less depressed and scored higher on mathematical tests (performing faster and more accurately). Subjects also exhibited increased beta waves in the brain and exhibited lower anxiety scores.
Lavender vs. Cholesterol (Nikolaevskii et al., 1990) Inhalation of lavender reduced atherosclerotic plaques on the walls of the aorta (the chief blood supply to the brain) even though it did not reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.
Lavender vs. Blood Pressure (Romine et al., 1999) A University of Alaska study found that lavender reduced blood pressure. In this randomized controlled clinical trial on 20 healthy men, scientists found that 10 minutes of lavender inhalation resulted in lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures, lower arterial pressures, and slower heart rates compared with the control group.
Lavender vs. Senility (Holmes et al., 2002) A placebo-controlled University of Southampton School of Medicine study found that diffused lavender oil was effective in treating agitated behavior caused by dementia. Five percent of people over age 65 and 20% of people over age 80 have senile dementia.
Lavender vs. Dementia - Two percent lavender oil solution was diffused for two hours on alternate days. Sixty percent of patients showed an improvement. Thirty-three percent of patients showed no change.
Lavender vs. Inflammation (Hajhashemi et al., 2003) A study conducted by the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences tested the effect of ingested lavender oil on inflammation. Test subjects fed 200 mg/K body weight of lavender oil displayed substantially reduced inflammation (as shown by carrageenan-induced edema).
Lavender vs. Fungi (Inouye et al., 2003) A Teikyo University study in Japan found that diffusing essential oils "appears to offer promise" for inhalation therapy of respiratory tract infection. Fumigation of rooms for prevention of aerial infection. Researchers found that diffusing lavender oil (10mg per Liter of air or 0.7 ppm) was more than needed (0.3 ppm) to suppress the growth of pathogenic fungi on surfaces.
Ghelardini, C., Galeotti, N., Salvatore, G., & Mazzanti, G. (1999). Local anaesthetic activity of the essential oil of lavandula augustifolia. Planta Medica, 65, 700-3. The study compared the local anaesthetic activity of the essential oils obtained from Lavandula angustifolia Mill and two citrus fruits. The essential oils of L. angustifolia and its two major pure components, but not the oils of Citrus reticulata and Citrus limon were found to be able to reduce the electrically evoked contractions of rat phrenic-hemidiaphragm greatly in a dose-dependent manner.
Dale, A., Cornwell, S. (1994). The role of lavender oil in relieving perineal discomfort following childbirth: A blind randomized clinical trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 19:89-96. The single-blind clinical trial randomized 635 mothers into three groups using pure lavender oil, a synthetic lavender oil, and an inert substance as a bath additive respectively for 10 days following normal childbirth. The analysis results of daily discomfort scores showed no statistically significant difference between groups. However, women using lavender oil as a bath additive had lower mean discomfort scores between the 3rd and 5th days, when the mother usually experienced the highest discomfort.
Lis-Balchin, M., Hart, S. (1997). A preliminary study of the effect of essential oils on skeletal and smooth muscle in vitro. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 58, 183-7. This study examined the pharmacological activity of nine commercial essential oils. The results indicate that certain essential oils (clary sage, dill, fennel, frankinsense and nutmeg) produced a contracture and inhibition of the twitch response to nerve stimulation on skeletal muscle; thyme had a contracture without a change in the twitch response; lavender reduced the twitch response alone and camphor increased the size of the twitch response. The findings supported previous work in showing that essential oils have selective actions on biological tissues and the actions were not non-specific toxic actions on cell membranes.
Dunn, C., Sleep, J., Collett, D. (1994). Sensing an improvement: an experimental study to evaluate the use of aromatherapy, massage and periods of rest in an intensive care unit. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 21, 34-40. The experimental study randomly allocated 122 patients into receive either massage, aromatherapy using essential oil of lavender, or a period of rest. The assessment from 93 patients found no statistically significant differences in the physiological stress indicators or observed or reported behavior of patients’ ability to cope following any of the three interventions. But the patients in the aromatherapy group reported significantly greater improvement in their mood and perceived levels of anxiety than those in the other two groups.
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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Lavender Volume Conditioner™(Buy Now) gently conditions and volumizes fine hair. A fabulous follow-up to Lavender Volume Shampoo, it is formulated with MSM, milk protein, and vitamins to strengthen limp and weak hair. Essential oils are added to ensure that nutrients penetrate the hair follicle and leave the hair clean and perfumed.
Lavender Volume Shampoo™-(Buy Now) gently cleanses and volumizes fine hair while nourishing and restoring balance. Long known for its ability to improve the appearance of hair and skin, lavender oil works its fragrant magic to enhance the natural beauty of your hair. Added botanical extracts, vitamins, and essential oils remove buildup that comes from commercially sold hair products while maximizing body. Renewing and invigorating, Lavender Volume Shampoo contains MSM, a sulfur compound that is known for strengthening hair.