Lavender – the cleansing, relaxing herb to encourage a peaceful sleep.

Medicinal History of Lavender

Lavender has a rich history that dates back to ancient civilizations. The Egyptians used it as a medicinal plant over 5,000 years ago, and it was a symbol of vitality in Greek culture (although to be fair they thought most things were a symbol of vitality). It was a popular herb for cleansing the skin and in Roman times lavender oil was added to baths. The name lavender comes from the latin lavare which means ‘to wash’. There is evidence that lavender oil can help with hair loss.

In later times Lavender was believed to have powerful magical properties and was used in spells for protection and cleansing. Lavender was also added to love potions and charms for attraction, happiness and relaxation – hopefully leading to romance...

Famed for its relaxing and sleep inducing qualities for hundreds of years, Lavender flowers were often stuffed into pillows or sachets to aid sleep, calming nerves and anxiety. Lavender tea was believed to have digestive properties and was drunk to sooth the stomach.

Top Five Medicinal Uses of Lavender

1. Promotes sleep

Lavender has traditionally been used to aid sleep – stuffing a pillow or sachet with dried flowers was a well-known thing. In case for hundreds of years people were wrong, several scientific studies have now confirmed that breathing in lavender smells when asleep could improve sleep quality.

2. Anxiety and Stress relief

Lavender oil has shown promising signs of helping with anxiety. In a recent, large scale study it was found that those taking lavender oil capsules reported significant improvements in anxiety. There is also evidence to suggest that dental patients exposed to lavender scent before an appointment show reduced levels anxiety.

3. Improves Hair Loss

Applying lavender oil to the scalp can help with hair loss it’s been suggested. Several studies have shown that the oil can stimulate hair growth and might have some positive effects on treating alopecia aerate.

4. Fighting Skin Conditions

Lavender has long been used to treat and sooth the skin. Lavender oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties and contains two compounds, linalool and linalyl acetate, which are powerful anti-inflammatories. Modern research suggests that lavender oil could be effective against acne and provide relief for other skin conditions such as eczema, rashes and dermatitis

5. Treating Fungal Infections

Lavender oil has been found to be a powerful fungicide, especially those associated with skin conditions. It’s lethal to a range of fungal strains and is thought to work by supressing spore formation and inhibiting germination and growth. There is hope that the compounds in lavender could help with providing an alternative to antibiotics.

The Lavender Beds

The garden was pleasant with old fashioned flowers,
The sunflowers and hollyhocks stood up like towers;
There were dark turncap lilies and jessamine rare,
And sweet thyme and marjoram scented the air.

The fairies stepped out of the lavender beds,
With mob-caps on their quaint little heads;
My lord had a sword and my lady a fan;
The music struck up and the dancing began.

William Brighty Rands (1857)

Parts of Lavender Used for Medicine

The flower spikes of the lavender plant are used for medicinal purposes. The flower heads are most commonly dried before using in teas, tisanes, baking and for aromatherapy. A relaxing bath oil can be made from fresh leaves and flowers. Lavender essential oil is generally made from dried flowers.

Active Medical Ingredients in Lavender

Lavender contains many bioactive substances that are thought to have health benefits. These substances include terpenes (antimicrobials) polyphenols (antioxidants) and flavonoids (anti-inflammatories). Linalool and linalyl acetate (terpenes) seem to be the two most significant. They are thought to be responsible for the calming effects of lavender as well as exhibiting powerful anti-fungal and skin healing properties.

Important.

Herbs have been used in medicines for thousands of years and a few leaves here and there are unlikely to be harmful. However, if you intend to start taking herbs medicinally or to treat a specific health condition, please seek the advice of your GP (or vet) and a qualified herbalist, first.