Lavender Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia Oil) is one of the most versatile essential oils. It has a sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma that is soothing and refreshing. Lavender oil is obtained by steam distillation from the flower spikes of certain species of lavender.
Contents
Uses
- Beauty
- Used in perfumes
- Medical / Health
- Treats burns, sunburn, muscular pain, skin complaints, cold sores, and insect bites
- Can be used as an antiseptic and pain reliever to be applied to minor burns and cuts or wounds and insect bites and stings
- Used in massage oil mixtures, which may be effective in the relief of joint and muscle pain
- Chest rub mixtures for the relief of asthmatic and bronchitic spasm
- Other uses include :
- Earache
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Insomnia
Benefits
- Aromatherapy
- Promotes relaxation
- Reduces anxiety and stress
- Has calming effects
- Health
- Antiseptic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial
- Analgesic
- Antidepressant
Cautions
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that repeated topical use of lavender oil may cause prepubertal gynecomastia, a condition which causes enlarged breast tissue in boys before puberty. “Topical” means applying onto the skin. In addition, the safety of taking lavender during pregnancy or while breast-feeding is not completely certain – if you plan to use lavender treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding tell your doctor. As lavender is thought to slow down the central nervous system, doctors advise patients to stop using lavender at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Interactions
The U.S National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns people to be cautious when combining lavender with the following:
- Barbiturates: Lavender may increase the sedative effects of these drugs and make people feel very sleepy.
- Benzodiazepines: Mixing lavender with benzodiazepines can similarly increase the sedative effect of the drugs.
- Chloral hydrate: Lavender increases the effects of chloral hydrate – causing extreme drowsiness.
References
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265922.php
For more information see Lavender