Lavender Helps Reduce Anxiety and Depression
By Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D.
Lavender has been used medicinally for centuries. English lavender is the most common species of
lavender, although there are many other species in use.
Lavender is used extensively with herbs and aromatherapy.
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) yields an essential oil with sweet overtones, and can be used in balms, salves,
perfumes, cosmetics, and topical applications. Lavandula, also known as Dutch lavender,
yields a similar essential oil, but with higher levels of terpenes including camphor,
which add a sharper overtone to the fragrance.
Essential oil of lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It was used in hospitals during World
War I to disinfect floors and walls. These extracts are also used as fragrances for bath products.
According to folk wisdom, lavender has many uses. Infusions of lavender soothe and heal insect bites and burns.
Bunches of lavender repel insects. If applied to the temples, lavender oil soothes headaches. In pillows, lavender
seeds and flowers aid sleep and relaxation. An infusion of three flowerheads added to a cup of boiling water soothes
and relaxes at bedtime.
Lavender for Mental Health
Lavender contains a number of medicinal components, including perillyl alcohol, linalool, and geraniol.
Research has suggested that lavender can be a helpful adjunct to
prescription antidepressant medications.
Other studies have found lavender useful for treating depression and insomnia. There are different grades of lavender
and it works best if it is of a higher quality.
As an essential oil, lavender is used extensively in aromatherapy for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia.
In a number of trials, aromatherapy has alleviated anxiety and stress.
Placebo-controlled research with 52 subjects tested the use of lavender, ylangylang, and bergamot essentials oils used once daily for 4 weeks.
The study, performed at the Geochang Provincial College in Korea, evaluated the benefits of aromatherapy for the treatment of anxiety.
At the 4-week mark, the blood pressure, pulse, subjective stress, state anxiety, and serum cortisol levels among the aromatherapy group
were significantly lower.
A study at the University of Vienna in Austria found that the aroma from lavender was sedating and helpful in alleviating insomnia.
A study of seniors with sleeping troubles found that inhaling lavender was as effective as common sleep medications.
Similar results were reported in other research using a combination of lavender and sweet almond oil in people with insomnia.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
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