Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)
Lavender is a plant native to mountainous areas of the Mediterranean. It is a plant has woody branches and small blue-violet flowers which is possibly why the plant is named lavender. The plant is naturally fragrant and this is why it is used in soaps, shampoos, perfumes and even in detergent soaps and fabric conditioners but along with its personal care uses lavender is also popular for its medicinal uses.
Lavender is where lavender oil is derived. The oil is extracted from lavender flowers and leaves and is used in countless medicinal applications. For one, it has antiseptic properties and anti-inflammatory properties. Lavender oil is essential oil that contains terpenes like camphor which is responsible for the oil’s medicinal properties.
Lavender oil is often one of the main ingredients in muscle pain and joint pain relief products. When applied to the skin, it can help reduce pain, decrease inflammation and help manage stiffness of the affected part. The oil may also be used on its own as a topical relief of pain and inflammation. Lavender oil is also useful in a lot of different medical applications because of its natural therapeutic components. It is useful for the relief of insomnia, for the cure of hair conditions like alopecia or hair loss, for the reduction of anxiety and stress and may also be used as a non-medicinal reduction of post-operative pain. Due to lavender’s antiseptic properties, it can be used to fight bacterial and antiviral infections. Lavender oil is conjunctively used with traditional healing strategies like aromatherapy, massage, acupuncture and in performing chiropractic exercises and manipulation.
Lavender is mostly used as a main ingredient in creams, ointments and healing oils but it may be consumed as lavender tea or tinctures. Lavender oil is safe when used accordingly.
References:
Lavandula – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 22, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavandula
Lavender: MedicinePlus Supplements. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/838.html
Lavender I University of Maryland Medical Center (n.d.). Retrieved from http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/lavender
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