Why lavender is used

NCCIH has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider s. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. Anxiety and Complementary Health Approaches. Home Health Information Lavender. Common Names: lavender, English lavender, common lavender, French lavender. Latin Names: Lavandula angustifolia. Lavender is native to countries in the Mediterranean region, including France, Spain, and Italy.

Lavender is used to flavor foods and beverages and as a fragrance ingredient in soaps and cosmetics. It is promoted as a dietary supplement for anxiety, depression, digestive symptoms, and other conditions.

It is also promoted for topical use application to the skin and use in aromatherapy. How Much Do We Know? What Have We Learned? Studies of a lavender oil product that is taken orally by mouth have suggested it might be beneficial for anxiety, but because of limitations of the research, including the small size of the studies, no definite conclusions can be reached about its effectiveness.

Consumption of lavender in the amounts typically used in foods is likely to be safe. Short-term oral use in the amounts tested in studies of lavender for anxiety or other conditions may also be safe. The topical use of products containing lavender may cause allergic skin reactions in some people.

A few cases of swelling of breast tissue have been reported in children who used topical products containing lavender. Keep in Mind. Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use.

Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions. Researchers have also studied whether lavender might help to alleviate premenstrual emotional symptoms.

Many women of reproductive age experience a range of symptoms in the premenstrual phase, commonly known as premenstrual syndrome PMS.

Even though PMS is common, no single treatment is universally recognized as effective. As a result, many women turn to alternative therapies, such as aromatherapy. This crossover study involved 17 women, aged on average The participants spent one menstrual cycle with no lavender aromatherapy treatment, and another undergoing lavender aromatherapy. One study found that lavender fragrance could have a beneficial effect on insomnia and depression in female college students. It is sold as a supplement only and should not replace any prescribed course of treatment.

If you choose to use this essential oil, the FDA does not monitor these products. There may be concerns about purity, safety, or quality.

Only purchase essential oils from reputable companies. If you are already taking the above, seek medical advice before adding lavender to your drug regimen. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine NEJM revealed that repeated use of lavender oil on the skin might trigger prepubertal gynecomastia , a condition that causes enlarged breast tissue in boys before puberty.

The safety of taking lavender during pregnancy or while breast-feeding has also not been confirmed. Discuss any use of essential oils, herbs, or supplements with your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

As lavender is thought to slow down the central nervous system , doctors advise patients to stop using lavender at least 2 weeks before surgery. We look at the eight best essential oils for sunburn. Vitamins E and C may help, as well as lavender, tea tree, and others. Included is information on…. Some essential oils can help ease the itch of a bug bite, including peppermint and menthol, tea tree, and lavender oil.

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In this article, learn about the benefits and risks. What are the health benefits and risks of lavender? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Uses Benefits Interactions Risks Lavender is an herb native to northern Africa and the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean. Share on Pinterest Lavender can be distilled into an essential oil, and has a range of medical applications.

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