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| Lavender Flowers: Photo & Article © Ann Walker |
The traditional applications of Lavender are diverse and numerous, extending from positive effects on the nervous and digestive systems to soothing skin problems. Lavender has a valuable role in midwifery and in palliative care, mostly as a healing agent in aromatherapy through the skin. Lavender oil is gentler on the skin than almost all other essential oils and can be safely applied without dilution to help heal skin problems such as wounds, burns etc.
Less commonly, but increasingly, the oil is used as a remedy internally and capsules are now available to the public, for use as a carminative and nervine (search lavender on British Herbal Medicine Association website https://bhma.info/). A series of small studies of lavender oil capsules showed promising results in reducing anxiety and depression in the elderly (e.g. PMID: 24456909). But it is not just the essential oil which has nervine properties, a small study (PMID: 32444033) of 60 elderly people showed that in just 2 weeks, drinking 4 g of lavender tea per day can reduce depression and anxiety scores.
There have also been small clinical studies showing that Lavender oil has positive effects on mental function in Alzheimer’s disease, in stress conditions and for insomnia. These studies confirm the traditional understanding of the health benefits of lavender for the nervous system, being a unique mix of calming, balancing and uplifting properties. The herb is well indicated for bringing a harmonious balance in all types of stress and emotional situations.
PMID, PubMed identifier
Ann Walker PhD FCPP MNIMH RNutr
Herbal Practitioner and Nutritionist
Course Director Discovering Herbal Medicine
