What was lavender used for

Gather the leaves and flowers just before blooming to capture the highest concentration of the essential oil. Use it fresh or dried for teas and tinctures. For relaxation, use the leaves and flowers in baths, body oils, or perfumes. You can also cook with it, from biscuits and desserts like creme brulee to roasts, particularly lamb.

Try using a lavender syrup or single drop of the essential oil in vodka or champagne cocktails. Like all medicinal plants and many drugs , lavender may affect people differently. Some are sensitive to it, and different doses can have different effects. A little can relax, a lot can stimulate. Overuse can lower its efficacy. Lavender is one of the safest plants for general use, and even the essential oil has very low toxicity when used at the correct dose. It may be applied undiluted in minute quantities on the skin, too.

For example, people with sensitive skin may find it irritating. Lavender may also exacerbate sedative or anticonvulsant drugs. Medicinal effects of lavender species other than L. There are hazards associated with taking the attractive species French lavender L. But L. Could the love we have for this plant inspire love among each other? Do the antimicrobial and mood-lifting effects of lavender fit with its folkloric use as a protector from the evil eye and a perfume for love?

When calmness is often in short supply, finding out whether lavender can really prompt positive feelings — between family members, workmates, or in the world in general — could give us another reason to fall for this plant. Please note the U. Nicollete Perry, PhD, specializes in pharmacognosy, the study of the medicine produced from plants.

She has published and frequently gives talks on medicinal plants for brain health. This series of…. Looking for a natural stress relief? Try this bitters recipe that combines five powerful ingredients that will help you find calm. One or two drops…. Mix a few drops of these golden inflammatory-fighting bitters into your morning smoothie or your nighttime cup of tea.

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Find out what it does and how to add it to your routine. Phytotherapy Research. May 26, Yazdkhasti M, Pirak A. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. November Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. Life Sciences. July 17, Journal of Chinese Medical Association. September Medical Mycology. August Society for General Microbiology. February 16, Toxicological Research. April Complementary Therapies in Medicine. February International Journal of Nursing Practices.

October 25, All About Lavender. Petal Talk. January 5, Henry J. Lavender Mint Tea. All Recipes. Siegmund-Roach S. The Herbal Academy. July 19, Smith C. Proper Essential Oil Storage. Plant Therapy. June 4, Growing Lavender. June 13, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. November 30, National Institutes of Health. January 31, Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: July 6, Medically Reviewed.

What Exactly Is Lavender? May Help Improve Sleep Insomnia is a nagging problem that keeps you tossing and turning throughout the night. Lavender is available in different forms. For example: Lavender Oil Nectar extracted from the flowering plant is used to create a fragrant oil. Q: Where is it best to plant lavender? 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. However, there is still much…. Essential oils may help treat some allergies, especially when the reaction leads to breathing problems or affects the skin.

Find out more about the…. Aromatherapy is a type of alternative medicine that uses essential oils to improve a person's health or mood. Find out about the oils and how they…. Not only is cinnamon delicious, but adding it to your diet might be beneficial to your health. 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.