7 Healing Uses For Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender has been used for medicinal purposes for over 2,500 years. Today lavender is the most popular essential oil in the world. Here are just 7 proven uses for this amazing oil.

1. Relieve Anxiety

A German study confirmed that lavender oil is more effective than a placebo in relieving anxiety in elderly patients. The researchers concluded that it would be an effective and well-tolerated alternative to synthetic drugs.

In another study of 90 anxious patients awaiting open-heart surgery, researchers had the patients inhale either lavender oil or distilled water for 20 minutes. Inhaling lavender reduces anxiety and cortisol levels. Patient questionnaires showed that lavender reduced anxiety by 10.8 percent. Blood testing revealed that cortisol levels dropped by a whopping 69.6 percent.

And in a study of 60 heart patients in a coronary intensive care unit (ICU) patients were given 2% lavender essential oil via inhalation every day. After 15 days, the patients inhaling lavender reported significantly less anxiety. Researchers concluded that lavender is a non-invasive, cheap, easily applied, and cost-effective intervention for cardiac patients in the ICU.

2. Improve Sleep

Several studies show the effectiveness of lavender aromatherapy in sleep-related disorders. In one study of 158 new mothers, participants were randomly assigned to two groups. One group dropped lavender oil on a cotton ball and inhaled 10 deep breaths before going to sleep. They also kept the lavender ball near their pillow until morning. They did this four times a week. A control group used a placebo oil rather than lavender. After 8 weeks, women who inhaled lavender showed a significant improvement in sleep quality compared to the control group.

3. Ease Premenstrual Symptoms

It is estimated that 45 percent of women suffer from moderate to severe dysmenorrhea. This condition develops at the time of menstruation and can cause cramps, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and headaches.

A lavender oil massage can help relieve dysmenorrhea. In one study from Turkey, 44 midwifery or nursing students performed a self-massage with either lavender oil or a placebo (petroleum oil). Lavender oil was found to reduce menstrual pain at a statistically significant level.

In an Iranian study of 80 midwifery and nursing students, volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either a lavender oil massage or a placebo massage during two consecutive menstrual cycles. Their pain level was measured before and 30 minutes after the massage. The lavender oil massage caused a significant decrease in dysmenorrhea symptoms compared to the placebo.

The researchers noted that topical application of lavender oil relaxes muscles, improves blood flow to tissues, and increases elasticity. And the active compounds in lavender oil remain on the skin for about 90 minutes after the massage. In addition, the oil is absorbed into the bloodstream after topical or inhalational use.

In addition to pain, many women suffer from emotional stress during their menstrual periods. A Japanese study found that inhaling lavender can help. Researchers studied 17 women in their early 20s with mild to moderate premenstrual symptoms. The women inhaled either lavender or water. They found that inhaling lavender for just 10 minutes significantly increased parasympathetic nervous system activity compared to water. In addition, psychological tests showed that lavender significantly decreased feelings of depression and confusion as long as 35 minutes after inhalation.

4. Reduce Pain

Lavender is proven to relieve pain. In one study, 106 patients undergoing peripheral venous cannulation (PVC) were divided into two groups. PVC is a procedure in which a tube is placed inside a vein to draw blood or administer fluids, medications, nutrition, chemotherapy, or blood products. One group of patients received lavender aromatherapy, and the other received sham aromatherapy. After the PVC procedure, the lavender group had significantly lower pain scores than the placebo group. In addition, patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the lavender group.

Kidney dialysis is another painful procedure that can cause patient anxiety during the insertion of dialysis needles. In a study from Iran, 34 hemodialysis patients were divided into three groups. The first group received topical lavender essential oil during the insertion of their dialysis arterial needles. The second group received no intervention, and the third group received a water placebo. Pain intensity decreased by 37% in the lavender group compared to the no-intervention group, and by 31% compared to the placebo group.

In a recent study of 100 patients aged 19-64 years with kidney stones were divided into two groups. One group received the standard treatment of 75 mg of diclofenac sodium, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The second group received lavender aromatherapy in addition to the diclofenac. Pain measured 30 minutes after the treatments was significantly lower in the lavender aromatherapy group.

5. Lessen Stress

In addition to relieving anxiety and pain, lavender oil can help reduce physiological signs of stress. In a study of 20 healthy volunteers, Thai researchers compared lavender to sweet almond oil. They measured the subjects' blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin temperature to determine the level of stress in the autonomic nervous system. In addition, subjects were asked to estimate their mood responses, such as feeling pleasant or unpleasant, uncomfortable, sensual, relaxed, or refreshed.

The results revealed that inhaling lavender oil caused significant decreases in blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature. In addition, the lavender group reported feeling more active, fresher, and more relaxed than the almond oil group.

6. Clear Vaginal Yeast Infections

About 75 percent of women experience a vaginal candidiasis infection at least once in their lifetime. The culprit in 85-90% of these cases is the Candida albicans fungus. Conventional medicine uses the drug clotrimazole to treat vaginal infections. It has side effects like increased liver enzymes, painful urination, and depression.

In a recent study, researchers compared lavender essential oil with clotrimazole against C. albicans in the lab. After 48 hours, the fungal cell count was lower for lavender than for clotrimazole.

7. Heal Mouth Ulcers

Lavender oil has been shown to help heal mouth ulcers. In a study of 115 patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers, subjects were treated with lavender oil or a placebo. The lavender group had a significant reduction in inflammation and ulcer size. In addition, the healing time was faster by two to four days in the lavender group. And pain relief was noted from the first dose of lavender.

When buying lavender essential oil, look for an organic, therapeutic-grade product. Use it topically on the skin, full-strength or mixed with a carrier oil such as sesame or coconut oil.

You can also rub two or three drops of lavender essential oil between your palms and inhale it. Or add a couple of drops to your washing machine. You can also add four to six drops to a spray bottle with about a cup of water. Mist your skin or room.

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