7 Lavender Oil Benefits and Studies
1. Antioxidant Protection
Arguably the most dangerous and most common risk factor for every disease that affects Americans, free
radicals
(toxins, chemicals, pollutants, etc.) are responsible for shutting down
your immune system and can cause unbelievable damage to your body.
So, what’s the solution?
Antioxidants!
The
body’s natural response is to create antioxidant enzymes – especially
glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) – which prevent
these free radicals from doing their damage.
Unfortunately, your
body can actually become deficient in antioxidants if the free radical
burden is great enough. Sadly, this has become relatively common in the
U.S. because of poor diet and high exposure to toxins.
Thankfully, natural options abound, such as lavender essential oil, which has been proven to be nature’s antioxidant super hero.
For
instance, researchers from China have recently discovered that lavender
essential oil helps your body produce three of your bodies most
powerful antioxidants, glutathione, catalase, and SOD within 22 hours of
using lavender essential oil!
Also, Romanian scientists have seen
similar results after just seven days of inhaling lavender essential
oil vapor for 60 minutes a day. They found that diffusing lavender oil
protected cells from damage that can lead to cancer.
*I have many
of my patients use a diffuser with their essential oils for health
benefits. I personally have one going on the desk of my office and then
we have the diffuser going in the living room during the day.
2. Diabetes Treatment
Possibly
the most exciting of all research concerning lavender came out in 2014.
Scientists from Tunisia set out to complete a fascinating task: to test
the effects of lavender essential oil on blood sugar to see if it can
help diabetes.
During the 15-day study, the results observed by researchers were absolutely amazing.
In a nutshell, lavender essential oil treatment protected the body from the following symptoms of diabetes:
- Increase in blood glucose (the hallmark of diabetes)
- Metabolic disorders (especially fat metabolism)
- Weight gain (ever wonder why as diabetes continues to rise, so do our waistbands!)
- Liver and kidney antioxidant depletion (one of the reasons diabetes is lethal)
- Liver and kidney dysfunction (ditto)
- Liver and kidney lipoperoxidation (when free radicals “steal” necessary fat molecules from cell membranes)
Surprisingly, the radical-scavenging antioxidant activity of lavender was actually more robust than ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)!
Does this tell us that lavender essential oil should be used as a treatment option for diabetics? Maybe.
It’s
just one study, but a powerful study nonetheless! We look forward to
more research on this topic as natural approaches to diabetics continue
to fill the scientific literature.
*You
can apply lavender essential oil topically on your neck and chest,
diffuse it in the air, or supplement with it for the health benefits.
3. Improves Mood and Supports Brain
In
addition to the groundbreaking diabetes research we just saw, 2013 was
the year lavender was put on the pedestal for its unique ability to
protect against neurological damage.
Traditionally, lavender has
been used to treat neurological issues like migraines, stress, anxiety,
and depression so it’s exciting to see that the research is finally
catching up to history.
Just last November, for instance, an evidence-based study was published by the
International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice.
The
study found that supplementing with 80 mg capsules of lavender
essential oil alleviates anxiety, sleep disturbance and depression.
Additionally,
in the study there were no adverse side effects from using lavender oil
to treat anxiety, insomnia and depression. Whereas we know
pharmaceutical drugs like prozac have dangerous side effects.
And
according to research, lavender essential oil benefits don’t stop there,
it has also been shown to reduce symptoms and development of
Alzheimer’s disease!
Last year, the journal
Phytomedicine
published a study which highlighted that inhaling lavender essential oil
vapor for 60 minutes a day was shown to prevent brain oxidative stress
in rats with dementia.
Another study published in 2012 took 28
high-risk postpartum women and found that by diffusing lavender in their
home they had a significant reduction of postnatal depression and
reduced anxiety disorder after a four-week treatment plan of lavender
aromatherapy.
Also in 2012, the Swiss journal
Molecules printed the results of a study that shockingly proved that lavender is a viable treatment option for stroke. Yes stroke!
Another
study proving that lavender aromatherapy improves mood was done on
people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The
results revealed that just 80 mg of lavender oil per day helped
decreased depression by 32.7% and dramatically decreased sleep
disturbances, moodiness, and overall health status in 47 people
suffering from PTSD.
*To relieve
stress and improve sleep, put a diffuser by your bed and diffuse oils
while you sleep at night or in the family room while you’re reading or
winding down in the evening. Also, can be rubbed topically behind your
ears for the same benefits.
4. Lavender Heals Burns and Cuts
Widely
known for its antimicrobial properties, lavender has a rich history of
being used to prevent various infections and combat bacterial/fungal
disorders. In fact, almost 100 studies have been conducted establishing
this truth over and over again.
Also, we have found that lavender
oil speeds the healing of burns, cuts, scrapes and wounds and a big part
of this is because of it’s anti-microbial properties.
For
example, in a study evaluating how lavender’s antimicrobial ability is
enhanced when blended with other essential oils like clove, cinnamon and
tea tree oil. Specifically, a 1:1 ratio of these oils was found to be
the most effective in fighting against
Candida albicans and
Staph aureus, which are both common causes for many fungal and bacterial infections that lead to respiratory pneumonia and skin funguses.
*For burns or eczema, mix lavender oil with Coconut oil in 1:5 ratio for rapid healing.
5. Lavender Oil Benefits Skin
Most
likely due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics,
lavender essential mixed with aloe or coconut oil has profound benefits
on your skin.
Just
10 drops per 1 ounce of aloe vera or oil will sooth the worst sunburn
and bring rapid healing to dry skin, minor cuts and scraps.
Research has even proven its ability to speed recovery from canker sores and can prevent allergic reactions!
Want
to reduce age spots? Try mixing lavender oil with frankincense
essential oil and put it on your skin first thing in the morning, right
after you shower and right before bed. Success stories of these two
oils improving age and sunspots are numerous.
6. Lavender Oil for Headaches
There
are millions of people around the world who struggle with both tension
headaches and migraine heartaches who are searching for a natural
alternative to drugs. According to new medical research, lavender oil
may just be that natural cure they are looking for.
According to a study published in the
European Journal of Neurology people struggling with migraine headaches saw a significant reduction in pain when they inhaled lavender oil for 15 minutes.
Probably the most effective natural treatment for headaches is combing lavender oil with
peppermint oil
and rubbing these oils on the back of the neck, the temples on the
lateral side of the forehead along with inhaling it. Typically 2 drops
of each oil in the palm of your hand then rubbed into the areas works
perfectly.
7. Lavender for Sleep and Insomnia
A
study on college students found that using lavender oil improved the
overall quality of sleep by 60%. This included length of sleep, time it
took to fall asleep, restfulness and reduced symptoms of insomnia.
Another study published in the
Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine found that lavender oil showed immediate improvements on 5 men and 5 women who struggled with insomnia.
If
you are trying to improve your quality of sleep diffusing lavender
before or during sleep can help. Also, you can rub it directly on your
neck, chest and temples which is also effective.
If you do
struggle with sleep I have found that making a mixture of lavender oil,
roman chamomile oil and magnesium oil is the best overall combination in
improving sleep.
And finally, taking a healing bath by adding 15
drops of lavender oil and 1 cup of epsom salts to the bathtub is another
effective way to use lavender oil to improve sleep and relax the body.
Lavender Oil Uses at Home
As a Natural Perfume
Do
you want to smell good without using toxic perfumes? Lavender oil is a
great scent for women and for men too. You can either try adding pure
oil directly to your skin, or you can dilute oil in water for a more
subtle scent.
If you’d like to rub the oil right onto your skin,
try adding 2-3 drops into your palms and then rubbing your hands
together. Then add the oil directly onto on your skin, clothes, or hair.
You can also try using 2 drops of lavender oil added to a spray bottle
with about ½ cup of water. Shake up the spray bottle and then spray
whatever you’d like. You may also want to consider combining lavender
oil with other relaxing oils, like cedar wood essential oil or
frankincense essential oil. Combining different oils means you have lots
of versatility when it comes to different scent options, without
needing to purchase many different bottled, expensive perfumes.
As a Non-toxic Air Freshener
The
same way you use lavender oil as a perfume, you can use it around your
home as a natural, toxic-free air freshener. Either spray lavender oil
around your home or try diffusing it. To create a relaxing atmosphere in
your bedroom before you fall asleep, try spraying the lavender oil and
water mixture directly onto your bed sheets or pillow. You can try the
same method in your bathroom as well, and also on your bath towels.
Before taking a relaxing bath or shower, spray your towel with lavender
oil so its relaxing scent is waiting for you when you step out of the
shower.
As a Natural, Chemical-Free Lip Balm
Lavender
oil is excellent for preventing sun burns on the lips and also healing
chapped, dried lips. Try adding a couple of drops of oil to shea butter,
jojoba oil, coconut oil/coconut butter, or another “carrier oil” and
then rubbing it into your lips for protection whenever you will be in
the sun. If you are sun burned in other areas on your body, try using
the same method to heal the skin more quickly and prevent itchiness and
pealing that can result after a bad sun burn.
As a Remedy for Stomach Discomfort
Many
people find the scent of lavender to be soothing to the stomach. If you
are feeling nauseous, or know that you are going to be traveling in a
car of plane and are prone to motion sickness, spray some lavender oil
on your skin and clothes or rub it into your temples, next, and palms.
As a Secret Flavor Booster in Healthy Recipes
Lavender
is a great flavor enhancer in things like grain-free muffins, teas, and
even salad dressings. Lavender oil is completely edible, but you will
want to use a very small amount since the taste is very powerful. Try
adding 1-2 drops to your recipes for a surprising flavor booster.
Lavender is said to pair perfectly with things like dark cocoa, pure
honey, cranberries, balsamic vinaigrette, black pepper, and apples.
Lavender Oil Side Effects to Consider
For
most people, using lavender oil is completely safe, however there has
not been an extensive amount of scientific research done on lavender oil
interactions with other medications, or for its use in pregnant women,
so there are certain situations where you will want to use caution.
Medication Interactions
If
you are already taking any prescription medication for sleep related
disorders or for depression, be cautious of the fact that lavender can
increase the effectiveness of these medications. Even if you use an
over-the-counter sleep aid or any type of sedatives (even cough or flu
medicine), keep in mind that lavender makes many people sleepy and even
somewhat drowsy, so it’s best to not combine lavender oil with other
medications or sleep-related supplements. If you are planning on having
surgery or undergoing anesthesia in the near future, you will also want
to avoid using lavender oil.
Pregnant Women and Children
There
has not been enough research done at this time to show that lavender
oil is completely safe for pregnant women or women who are nursing.
Because it can have a relaxing effect on muscles and can also effect
hormone levels, it’s not recommended that women who are in their third
trimester use lavender oil. It’s best to speak with your doctor about
use of any essential oils when pregnant, since it has not been
guaranteed that these are safe at this time.
Lavender oil is
considered generally safe for children to use, although there is some
concern that lavender’s effect on hormone levels could be harmful for
boys who have not yet gone through puberty. Although there isn’t strong
evidence for lavender being a hormone disrupter (only 1-2 very small
studies were ever completed), parents are told to use caution if using
lavender oil frequently on young children.
Ingesting Lavender Oil
Studies
to date have primarily looked at the effects of using lavender oil
topically on the skin or inhalation. There have been no negative
symptoms found when 3 drops of oil is mixed with a carrier oil and
applied directly to the skin, however not much research has formally
been done to look at the effect of swallowing the oil. Most people
experience no negative symptoms when consuming lavender oil, but because
of it’s high levels of anti-oxidants you would want to keep this to a
minimum and be careful if you have a sensitive digestive system. There
are no known food interactions of lavender oil at this time.
When
buying lavender essential oil make sure you are buying from a high
quality brand that is therapeutic grade and that is organic, so it
hasn’t been sprayed with chemicals. If you want the brand I personally
recommend email
Pondokatsiri@gmail.com
As you can see, lavender essential
oil benefits are incredible and it has many medicinal and therapeutic
uses.
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