by Guest Blogger Dr. Josh Axe and Eric Zielinski

 

Ancient texts tell us that lavender essential oil has been used for medicinal and religious purposes for over 2,500 years. The Egyptians used it for mummification and as a perfume. The Romans used it for bathing, cooking and for scenting the air.

 

And, quite possibly the most famous usage of all, Mary used it to anoint Jesus with her hair and and some believe spikenard was made from lavender essential oil.

“Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” ~ John 12:3

Many researchers claim that 2,000 year ago lavender was referred to as spikenard or simply nard from the Greek name for lavender, naardus, after the Syrian city Naarda. This really puts the power of lavender into perspective doesn’t it?

Today, lavender oil benefits your body in the following ways:

• Reduces anxiety and emotional stress
• Heals burns and wounds
• Improves sleep
• Restores skin complexion and reduces acne
• Slows aging with powerful antioxidants
• Improves eczema and psoriasis
• Alleviates headaches

So, How Far-Reaching Are Lavender’s Health Properties?

The truth is, we don’t know. In comparison to its rich history, science has only recently started to evaluate the range of health benefits that lavender essential oil contains.

To give you a feel of how potent this ancient plant is, we put together what we believe are the Top 5 health benefits of lavender oil and the reasons you should consider using it.

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 headaches, 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 overallhealth 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.

Do you want to smell good without using toxic perfumes?  Lavender oil is a great scent for women and for men, you may consider using cedar wood essential oil or frankincense essential oil.

As you can see, lavender essential oil benefits are incredible and it has many medicinal and therapeutic uses.

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.

Are YOU excited to try lavender essential oil?

References:

• Sebai H, et al. Lavender (Lavandula stoechas L.) essential oils attenuate hyperglycemia and protect against oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Lipids Health Dis 2013; 12(1):189.

• de Rapper S, et al. The In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Lavandula angustifolia Essential Oil in Combination with Other Aroma-Therapeutic Oils. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2013; 2013:852049.

• Amorati R, et al. Antioxidant activity of essential oils. J Agric Food Chem 2013; 61(46): 10835-47.

• Hancianu M, et al. Neuroprotective effects of inhaled lavender oil on scopolamine-induced dementia via anti-oxidative

  activities in rats. Phytomedicine 2013. 15; 20(5): 446-52.

• Hichem Sebai , et al. Lavender (Lavandula stoechas L.) essential oils attenuate hyperglycemia and protect against oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Lipids Health Dis 2013; 12:189.

• Wang D,et al. Neuroprotective activity of lavender oil on transient focal cerebral ischemia in mice. Molecules 2012; 15; 17(8):9803-17.

• Kasper S. An orally administered lavandula oil preparation (Silexan) for anxiety disorder and related conditions: an evidence based review. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract 2013; 17 Suppl 1:15-22.

• Conrad P, et al. The effects of clinical aromatherapy for anxiety and depression in the high risk postpartum woman – a pilot study. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2012 Aug; 18(3):164-8.

• Uehleke B, et al. Phase II trial on the effects of Silexan in patients with neurasthenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or somatization disorder. Phytomedicine 2012; 19(8-9):665-71.

• Altaei DT, Topical lavender oil for the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulceration. Am J Dent 2012; 25(1):39-43.

• Kim HM, et al. Lavender oil inhibits immediate-type allergic reaction in mice and rats. J Pharm Pharmacol 1999; 51(2):221-6.

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