Scientific Research Shows Lavender Essential Oil Benefits The Mind And Body
Lavender essential oil is the most popular essential oil in use today. In the scientific community, it appears to be the second-most researched essential oil, only after Tea Tree. This is probably because the medical effects of Tea Tree, used as an antiseptic, antiviral and anti-fungal agent, are easily measured, and its actions are more familiar to the medical profession. Lavender’s actions are a little more challenging to define, as its primary actions affect us on psychological and emotional levels. Yet recently, even these effects have been proven without a doubt by major studies performed at world-renown university and medical centers. Here we’ll have a look at the effects of Lavender essential oil, and some of the incredible research that backs up these claims.
The overall action of Lavender oil is both calming and regenerating. It’s a profound effect, as our bodies need to be relieved of stress in order to heal, and lead healthy lives in general. The sweet smell alone bestows calm on folks of all ages; from the little ones all wound up when it’s time for bed, to the wizened generation whom may be recovering from illness, loss, or general fatigue. It has done the same for lab rats, hamsters and mice in research laboratories (we do not condone the testing of any essential oil on animals — yet these studies have been performed and the data is worth discussing).
One of its great features is the incredible “ease of use”. The individual only need to inhale a bit straight from the bottle. One can do the same by applying a couple drops to a tissue and inhaling from this. You can use any sort of aromatherapy diffuser to get the scent into a larger environment, helping all those around you receive these benefits as well. Want to sleep better? Sprinkle the tiniest amount on your bedspread or under your pillow (one actually needs to be careful not to overdo it, as too much can keep you awake!)
The latest research is even suggesting that ingesting Lavender has essentially the same effects as inhaling it. And despite the widespread belief in the United States that one should never, ever ingest essential oils, this is simply not true. Lavender is very safe: it is listed by the FDA as “Generally Recognized As Safe” for ingestion as a food additive, and some companies even have their bottles labeled as dietary supplements. While its important to keep in mind that the protocols for ingesting any essential oil are always on the order of 1-3 drops a couple times per day — and almost never more than this — its also great to see research of such a large scale telling us ingestion of certain oils is not only acceptable, but can result in a dramatic improvement in one’s health.
Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria have published their data resulting from a ten week trial of a eighty-milligram capsule of Lavender essential oil. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the anti-stress effects of this encapsulated Lavender, by evaluating the physical and emotional condition of the participants on a number of criteria. The results were quite profound — the Lavender capsule was found to have statistically significant effects for the relief of mild to moderate anxiety disorder, as well as improving the quality of rest. Further, perhaps as a direct result of the improvement of participant’s mental condition and their improved sleep, their physical condition was markedly improved as well.
In a study by the same group of researchers, Lavender oil was compared not to a placebo, but to Lorazepam, a “high potency benzodiazepine drug.” The conclusion noted: “our results demonstrate that (the Lavender capsule) is as effective as lorazepam in adults with GAD (general anxiety disorder).” It was also noted that one of the wonderful features of the natural substance is that it has no potential for abuse, unlike the benzodiazepines (Valium is a well-known variety of this class of drugs). Lavender has actually been favorably compared to these anxiety-relieving drugs in many studies over the last decade, showing again and again the oil’s excellent stress-deducing ability. It has even been noted to reduce aggression and conflict — if only the whole world could be smelling this flower’s oil!
Previous research that has focused on the aroma has also produced statistically significant results. In two separate placebo-controlled trials, participants in common stressful situations were exposed to Lavender aroma. One study examined the response of people waiting to have their teeth worked on, and others were about to take a major exam. In both cases, the essential oil resulted in reports of lower anxiety.
In other medical scenarios, 54 patients undergoing surgery receiving gastric bands (a device to assist dangerously obese individuals to reduce their caloric intake by making the entrance to their stomach smaller) were divided into groups to receive post operative exposure to either Lavender or unscented baby oil. During post-operative recovery, fewer patients receiving the flower’s aroma required analgesics, and those that did required significantly less to achieve a comfortable state.
So clearly Lavender essential oil can really be of help to folks that are stressed out, or sleep poorly, or both. And the great thing about the oil is that is so easy to use for this purpose. No need to figure out dilution ratios for topical application — just inhale it! Open a little bottle and inhale straight from that, or sprinkle a little on your carpet, or go so far as to use in in an aromatherapy diffuser. You can even ingest a couple of drops a day, either in a capsule, cup of water, or “neat” if you like. Lavender essential oil is such a versatile, safe and effective stress reliever, its worth a try by nearly everyone in these fast-paced times.
For more on the therapeutic value of aromatherapy essential oils, and the many ways to employ these oils such as in aromatherapy essential oil diffusers, visit The Ananda Apothecary online.
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