Lavender (Lavandulaofficinalis)Parts used and where grown: The fragrant flowers oflavender contain the medicinal compounds. EasternEuropean countries, particularly Bulgaria, as well asFrance, Britain, Australia, and Russia grow large quantitiesof lavender.

Historical or traditional use (may or may not besupported by scientific studies): Traditionally, herbalistsused lavender for a variety of conditions of the nervoussystem, including depression and fatigue.1 It has also beenused for headache and rheumatism. Because of itsdelightful odor, lavender has found wide application inperfumes and cosmetics throughout history.

Active constituents: The volatile or essential oil oflavender contains many medicinal components, includingperillyl alcohol, linalool, and geraniol. The oil is calming2and thus can be helpful in some cases of insomnia. Onestudy of elderly persons with sleeping troubles found thatinhaling lavender oil was as effective as tranquilizers.3 Alarge study found that although lavender oil added to a bathwas not more effective than placebo for relieving perinealdiscomfort immediately after childbirth, pain was reducedthree to five days afterward.4 Linalool and otherconstituents of lavender tend to lower blood pressure inanimals, but this has not been confirmed in humans.5 Testtube studies suggest linalool, geraniol, and other parts of

the oil have significant antibacterial and antifungal activity,but there are no studies in people to confirm thesefindings.6

How much is usually taken? The German Commission Emonograph suggests 12 teaspoons of the herb be taken asa tea.7 The tea can be made by steeping 2 U.S. teaspoons(10 grams) of leaves in 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water forfifteen minutes. Three cups can be drunk each day. Forinternal applications, 12 ml of tincture can be taken twiceor three times per day. Several drops of the oil can beadded to a bath or diluted in vegetable oil for topicalapplications. The concentrated oil is not for internal use.Synthetic oils should be avoided, as they are less effectivethan true lavender oil.8

Are there any side effects or interactions? Internal use ofthe essential oil can cause severe nausea and otherproblems, and for this reason should be strictly avoided.Excessive intake (several times more than listed above)may cause drowsiness.9 External use in reasonableamounts is safe during pregnancy and lactation.

References:

1. Hoffmann D. The New Holistic Herbal, 2d ed. Rockport, MA: Element, 1990,210.2. Buchbauer G, Jirovetz L, Jager W, et al. Aromatherapy: Evidence for sedativeeffects of the essential oil of lavender after inhalation. Z Naturforsch [C]1991;46:106772.3. Hardy M, Kirk-Smith MD, Stretch DD. Replacement of drug therapy forinsomnia by ambient odour. Lancet 1995;346:701 [letter].4. Dale A, Cornwell S. The role of lavender oil in relieving perineal discomfortfollowing childbirth: A blind randomized trial. J Adv Nursing 1994;19:8996.5. Tisserand R, Balacs T. Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health CareProfessionals. Edinburgh, UK: Churchill Livingstone, 1995, 65.6. Pattnaik S, Subramanyam VR, Bapaji M, Kole CR. Antibacterial and antifungalactivity of aromatic constituents of essential oils. Microbios 1997;89:3946.7. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al, eds. The Complete Commission EMonographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston, MA: IntegrativeMedicine Communications, 1998, 15960.8. Dale A, Cornwell S. The role of lavender oil in relieving perineal discomfortfollowing childbirth: A blind randomized trial. J Adv Nursing 1994;19:8996.9. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used inFood, Drugs, and Cosmetics. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1996, 33942.

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