Lavender, a flowering plant native to the Mediterranean region, has long been prized for its aromatic, medicinal and gastronomic qualities. Essential oil practitioner Salvatore Battaglia tells us it is often referred to as the "mother" of essential oils. Its flowery, yet subtle, scent is gentle and supportive. Unlike many other flower-derived essential oils, its aroma is not overpowering but instead uplifts the spirit and helps the body and mind feel deeply protected and nourished. These qualities make lavender a wonderful first-line defense in alleviating stress responses.
The term lavender is derived from its Latin root levare, which means "to wash," because of its time-honored use as a bathing herb. French cooking has long incorporated lavender flowers in its bountiful cuisine, primarily in the medley herbes de Provence. The flowers also provide a unique pollen source for local bees, resulting in widely-sought lavender honey. This simple evergreen has also developed a name for itself globally as an indispensable medicinal aid in a variety of therapies. True lavender, and its relatives lavandin, maritime lavender and spike lavender, are now grown in countries ranging from Japan to Russia to Italy.
Lavender can be used in its flower form or as an essential oil, a product of distilling the potent natural molecules from the tiny purple buds. As the most popular and versatile of essential oils, lavender is used in a wide variety of medicinal and calmative applications. Its energetic properties of cooling and restoring the central nervous system make lavender a potent oil for combating nervous anxiety, irritability and physical and mental fatigue.
While lavender's precious qualities are already widely recognized in aromatherapy, further scientific studies have shown lavender has some specific uses that may contribute to its therapeutic status as an anxiolytic, or anti-anxiety plant. A study, published in April 2009 by the School of Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire, cited lavender as an anxiety-combatant herb in an experiment involving anxiety-inducing film clips. Participants ingested 100 or 200 microls of lavender prior to viewing distressing film clips, while a control group was given a placebo. Test administrators noted a decrease in anxiety responses in both men and women, but particularly in female subjects, and specifically those given the 200 microl doses. Women showed positive heart rate responses, and men showed changes in electrodermal response readings. The study concludes that lavender has anxiolytic effects when used in lower-stress situations.
Several studies have been published verifying lavender's anti-stress effects for patients undergoing medical procedures. In Austria, one hundred subjects inhaled lavender while waiting for their dental appointment. In Japan, participants inhaled lavender from a diffuser before undergoing surgical examinations -- in both situations, measurable and significant changes in anxiety levels were noted. And unlike many anti-anxiety drugs, lavender's effect is nearly immediate, though not overly long-lasting. Further, lavender aroma is a completely safe alternative. Lavender is considered one of the safest essential oils in use, with only the occasional allergic skin reaction reported (and this has been traced to lavender used in over-the-counter skin creams and preparations, where the essential oil has oxidized during processing and while sitting on store shelves).
Recovering from medical procedures can also be extremely mentally and physically grueling. In order to test lavender's ability to combat post-procedural stress and recovery, NYU Medical Center implemented a test on twenty-five women receiving breast biopsies. Subjects were given aroma of lavender in their oxygen supply during post-procedural recovery. A promising relationship was noted between how satisfied patients were with their pain recovery and the use of lavender aromatherapy. This is significant, as control group subjects seemed to experience more discontentment with pain management post-surgery. A second study, at the same university, sought to determine whether lavender could be an effective pain management tool in laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Traditionally, opioids and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are administered to combat post-operative pain. In this study, lavender was used in conjunction with these medications to again test its efficacy as a pain-management tool. Researchers found lavender aroma lowered patient's dependence on traditional medicines, offering hope that this plant could be used with other medical procedures.
Lavender can be, literally, a breath of fresh air, when used with the direct intention of soothing the nervous system. Its anxiolytic properties affect both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, meaning it can help reduce the severity of stress responses - tension, irritability, cramps, lack of mental focus - without impairing our ability to respond to "real" stress. Stress and anxiety arise for countless reasons, many of which are not in response to direct threats or emotional disturbances but are rather the mind's way of dealing with the barrage of daily responsibilities and expectations we find ourselves meeting. Alleviating unwanted and unnecessary stress, particularly stress that is associated with mental over-activity - worry, frustration, helplessness - is critical to recovering balance in the mind and body. Lavender's soothing effects make it not only an excellent choice for day-time stress, but lavender is the number one plant to try when mental tension develops into insomnia. Because anxiety can be a constant and debilitating part of modern life, having lavender on hand to quell the mental and physical symptoms of stress is an easy, quick and lovely way to refocus our energy.
Lavender oil is easily combined with a variety of carrier oils for massage application, to create compresses, for dermatological use and as a salve or balm. As its Latin root implies, it is excellent when used in bathing, and it can also be used with youngsters. It creates a heavenly mood when used in a vaporizer or diffuser in your home, office or car, and won't likely offend others with its gentle scent. Lavender buds can also be tossed into gourmet cooking and add an intriguing aroma to herbal decoctions. And don't forget those delightful flax and lavender eye pillows - if insomnia plagues your nights, lavender is your best ally. For daytime stress, keeping a bottle of lavender essential oil in your car or bag can neutralize a wide variety of symptoms that keep you from functioning at your best. Just stop, breathe deep and let this beautiful oil show you how to regain your footing once more. - 14130
The term lavender is derived from its Latin root levare, which means "to wash," because of its time-honored use as a bathing herb. French cooking has long incorporated lavender flowers in its bountiful cuisine, primarily in the medley herbes de Provence. The flowers also provide a unique pollen source for local bees, resulting in widely-sought lavender honey. This simple evergreen has also developed a name for itself globally as an indispensable medicinal aid in a variety of therapies. True lavender, and its relatives lavandin, maritime lavender and spike lavender, are now grown in countries ranging from Japan to Russia to Italy.
Lavender can be used in its flower form or as an essential oil, a product of distilling the potent natural molecules from the tiny purple buds. As the most popular and versatile of essential oils, lavender is used in a wide variety of medicinal and calmative applications. Its energetic properties of cooling and restoring the central nervous system make lavender a potent oil for combating nervous anxiety, irritability and physical and mental fatigue.
While lavender's precious qualities are already widely recognized in aromatherapy, further scientific studies have shown lavender has some specific uses that may contribute to its therapeutic status as an anxiolytic, or anti-anxiety plant. A study, published in April 2009 by the School of Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire, cited lavender as an anxiety-combatant herb in an experiment involving anxiety-inducing film clips. Participants ingested 100 or 200 microls of lavender prior to viewing distressing film clips, while a control group was given a placebo. Test administrators noted a decrease in anxiety responses in both men and women, but particularly in female subjects, and specifically those given the 200 microl doses. Women showed positive heart rate responses, and men showed changes in electrodermal response readings. The study concludes that lavender has anxiolytic effects when used in lower-stress situations.
Several studies have been published verifying lavender's anti-stress effects for patients undergoing medical procedures. In Austria, one hundred subjects inhaled lavender while waiting for their dental appointment. In Japan, participants inhaled lavender from a diffuser before undergoing surgical examinations -- in both situations, measurable and significant changes in anxiety levels were noted. And unlike many anti-anxiety drugs, lavender's effect is nearly immediate, though not overly long-lasting. Further, lavender aroma is a completely safe alternative. Lavender is considered one of the safest essential oils in use, with only the occasional allergic skin reaction reported (and this has been traced to lavender used in over-the-counter skin creams and preparations, where the essential oil has oxidized during processing and while sitting on store shelves).
Recovering from medical procedures can also be extremely mentally and physically grueling. In order to test lavender's ability to combat post-procedural stress and recovery, NYU Medical Center implemented a test on twenty-five women receiving breast biopsies. Subjects were given aroma of lavender in their oxygen supply during post-procedural recovery. A promising relationship was noted between how satisfied patients were with their pain recovery and the use of lavender aromatherapy. This is significant, as control group subjects seemed to experience more discontentment with pain management post-surgery. A second study, at the same university, sought to determine whether lavender could be an effective pain management tool in laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Traditionally, opioids and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are administered to combat post-operative pain. In this study, lavender was used in conjunction with these medications to again test its efficacy as a pain-management tool. Researchers found lavender aroma lowered patient's dependence on traditional medicines, offering hope that this plant could be used with other medical procedures.
Lavender can be, literally, a breath of fresh air, when used with the direct intention of soothing the nervous system. Its anxiolytic properties affect both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, meaning it can help reduce the severity of stress responses - tension, irritability, cramps, lack of mental focus - without impairing our ability to respond to "real" stress. Stress and anxiety arise for countless reasons, many of which are not in response to direct threats or emotional disturbances but are rather the mind's way of dealing with the barrage of daily responsibilities and expectations we find ourselves meeting. Alleviating unwanted and unnecessary stress, particularly stress that is associated with mental over-activity - worry, frustration, helplessness - is critical to recovering balance in the mind and body. Lavender's soothing effects make it not only an excellent choice for day-time stress, but lavender is the number one plant to try when mental tension develops into insomnia. Because anxiety can be a constant and debilitating part of modern life, having lavender on hand to quell the mental and physical symptoms of stress is an easy, quick and lovely way to refocus our energy.
Lavender oil is easily combined with a variety of carrier oils for massage application, to create compresses, for dermatological use and as a salve or balm. As its Latin root implies, it is excellent when used in bathing, and it can also be used with youngsters. It creates a heavenly mood when used in a vaporizer or diffuser in your home, office or car, and won't likely offend others with its gentle scent. Lavender buds can also be tossed into gourmet cooking and add an intriguing aroma to herbal decoctions. And don't forget those delightful flax and lavender eye pillows - if insomnia plagues your nights, lavender is your best ally. For daytime stress, keeping a bottle of lavender essential oil in your car or bag can neutralize a wide variety of symptoms that keep you from functioning at your best. Just stop, breathe deep and let this beautiful oil show you how to regain your footing once more. - 14130
About the Author:
More information on essential oil news and updates is available through Ananda Aromatherapy - an online source for therapeutic grade essential oils.
No comments:
Post a Comment