{"id":14934,"date":"2017-11-14T19:43:01","date_gmt":"2017-11-14T14:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zovon.com\/?p=14934"},"modified":"2018-07-20T14:42:27","modified_gmt":"2018-07-20T09:12:27","slug":"lavender-essential-oil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zovon.com\/?p=14934","title":{"rendered":"Lavender Essential Oil Benefits, Side Effects & FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Essential oils are derived from plants and are volatile hydrophobic liquids with a distinct aroma and characteristic properties of that plant. These oils have been used medicinally since medieval times. <\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the common essential oils are lavender oil, peppermint oil and tea tree oil. These essential oils may be used fighting against skin aging and many health conditions.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lavender essential oil is a colorless oil and has been used for many years in perfumes and cosmetics. It has a fresh, sweet and floral aroma that is very soothing. Lavender oil is isolated from <\/span>lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia<\/em>) It is obtained by steam distillation of the lavender buds and flowers.\u00a0 It is insoluble in water and is a complex chemical compound. Lavender oil is known for relieving problems like stress, headaches, <\/span>depression and anxiety.\u00a0 It is also used in aromatherapy<\/strong> as well as in manufacturing perfume. Lavender plant is more commonly found in the Himalayan regions.\u00a0 Lavender oil has antioxidant<\/strong><\/a> and antibacterial properties.<\/span><\/p>\n

Structure of Lavender Oil:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

\"structure<\/p>\n

Phytochemicals such as a-pinene, limonene, camphor, lavandulyl<\/span> acetate<\/span> and 3-octanone<\/span> are the main components of lavender oil. 5-Dimethyl-1-vinyl-4-hexenyl butyrate makes around 45% of the composition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Spike Lavender Oil is the best variety of lavender oil and is obtained from a special species of lavender called as spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia). This type of lavender oil has a <\/span>sharp smell due to a <\/span>high percentage of camphor in it. In India, nice quality spike lavender oil is produced in J&K. The other common sources of lavender oil are Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula -x-intermedia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Below table suggests chemical composition of Lavender Essential Oil: <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Component<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Percentage<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1,5-Dimethyl-1-vinyl-4-hexenyl butyrate<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

44%<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1,3,7-Octatriene, 3,7-dimethyl-<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

26%<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Phellandrene<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.09%<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

S–Pinene<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.3%<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Camphene<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.27%<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Linalool Oxide Trans<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.3%<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

camphor<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.79%<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, acetate<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.42%<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Eucalyptol<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7.32%<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Uses of Lavender Oil:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\"benefitsAlleviates anxiety:<\/b><\/span> <\/span><\/h3>\n

Lavender oil plays an important role in reducing anxiety. Patients suffering from anxiety attack can sniff lavender oil and effects can be seen in as less as 10 seconds. It is a sedative. Since Lavender Oil has therapeutic properties and as it induces relaxation so it proves to be an effective medication\u00a0<\/span>in the treatment<\/span><\/span> of disorders related to the nervous system. It also activates the depressed nervous system<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Reduces hair loss:<\/span> <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Lavender oil when applied to the scalp, increases blood circulation and promotes hair growth. It is also used in the treatment<\/span> of dandruff and lice. It is often used as a conditioner. One must use at least 10-15 drops of lavender oil to notice a reduction<\/span> in hair fall. It can be applied along with other essential oils which act as carrier oils. Massaging the scalp after hot oil treatment<\/b><\/span> of lavender oil gives excellent results.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Acne:<\/span> <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Lavender Oil has an exfoliating<\/span> effect on the skin. It also helps with reducing acne and redness as it has a rubefacient<\/span> effect. For treatment of acne,\u00a0lavender<\/span> essential oil must be diluted with equal amount of jojoba oil before application on skin.\u00a0Lavender oil doesn\u2019t have much effect on new breakouts but it helps in reducing the chronic acne. Lavender oil being bactericidal in nature kills harmful skin bacteria and thus helps in managing acne.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Diminishes headaches and body pains:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Lavender oil is analgesic in nature and is used as an <\/span>alternative medicine to treat headaches and body pains. Sniffing just a few drops of lavender oil works wonders even for chronic headaches and migraines.\u00a0<\/span>Massage with lavender oil leads to a reduction<\/span> in pain in back, neck<\/span> and shoulders. It relieves pain by increasing blood circulation in the applied area and due to its natural soothing properties.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Relieves insomnia:<\/span> <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Lavender oil is very helpful in patients with insomnia<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. It calms the mind and reduces restlessness.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Act as an <\/b>antioxidant<\/b><\/span>:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

<\/b>To reduce damage caused by free radicals, lavender oil can be used as a natural<\/span><\/span> antioxidant which oxidizes free radicals. Lavender essential oil is a powerful antioxidant support. It is useful in combating the oxidative stress caused due to free radicals.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Treatment of diabetes:<\/span> <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Use of lavender oil protects the body from diabetes. It decreases high blood sugar levels and is helpful in metabolic dysfunction<\/span>. Lavender Oil balances high blood sugar levels. Lavender Oil improves sensitivity to insulin and works to ease the symptoms of diabetes.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Stress reduction and mood enhancement:<\/span> <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Use of Lavender oil reduces stress and post-natal depression. It is also useful in recovering from trauma. Since lavender has a very calming effect so it is used by patients experiencing chronic stress. The use of lavender increases the slow wave activity and reduces the intensity of low moods.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Useful for brain disorders:<\/span> <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Lavender Oil is useful in the treatment<\/span> of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. <\/b>It reverses symptoms of stroke. Inhalation of lavender oil is useful in treating brain cancers. Two phytochemicals in lavender oil called Perillyl alcohol and Linalool have cytotoxic and apoptotic activities thus helping in the treatment of cancers. Lavender oil is also used in aromatherapy along with other therapies to better manage the quality of life in cancer patients as it has a very calming and relaxing effect on our nervous system.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Helps in treatment of eczema:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

<\/b>For <\/b>decreasing the symptoms of eczema and prickling sensation one can use lavender oil. It is useful in Skin Detoxification<\/b><\/a>. <\/b>Lavender Oil fights against harmful and toxic pollutants and checks\/stops the growth of bacteria on the skin. It increases the amount of oxygen getting transported to the skin thereby increasing skin firmness and renewing the old skin. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Since Lavender Oil shows anti-inflammatory properties so it helps in healing burns by acting as a catalyst.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Used as <\/b>insect repellant<\/b><\/span>:<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Lavender oil has been long used for treating insect bites. It is also used in the protection of clothes from insects and moths. It also helps in preventing infections caused by bites from insects and bugs. It is also known for controlling itchy sensation.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Decreases muscle soreness:<\/b><\/span> <\/span><\/h3>\n

Lavender Oil is used in the treatment<\/span><\/span> of tired muscles particularly foot and head muscles. It is used as an antiseptic. Lavender essential oil can be applied to wounds as it is useful in fighting against infections. It can be mixed with a carrier oil like camphor and applied. It is also a great treatment for muscle soreness after workouts.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Helpful <\/b>to digestion<\/b><\/span><\/span>:<\/span> <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Lavender tea helps in indigestion and stomach disorders. It helps in releasing of juices in the stomach and increases the food mobility. It promotes digestion and nutrient absorption and helps in getting rid of waste products. It is a healing material known for keeping the digestive<\/span><\/span> tract healthy.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Side Effects of Lavender Oil:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n