Lavender oil

Lavender oil is extracted from various flower species of the lavender genus (Lavandula).

It is produced by steam distillation of the plant's flowers.

Although lavender oil is toxic to the human body in high concentrations, it has long been used in natural medicine as well as cosmetics.

In this article, you'll get a thorough overview of lavender oil's many properties and uses.

Lavender oil properties

Undocumented properties

There is no scientific evidence that lavender oil can be used to treat the following:

Researched properties with lack of evidence

Although the effects of lavender oil on the following diseases and disorders have been scientifically studied, there is no evidence yet that lavender oil can be used to treat the following:

• Mood: There are a number of studies that have indicated that lavender and lavender oil can affect the mood of animals as well as humans. This has led to studies on lavender's effect on diseases such as depression, anxiety, stress etc. as well as our general mental well-being. However, the studies are not considered to be consistent enough to draw any clear conclusions yet.

• Agitation in dementia: The effect of lavender oil on the agitation of dementia patients has been studied several times – and the studies have produced conflicting results; a 2004 study concluded that lavender oil and aromatherapy have no effect on dementia patients, while a 2007 study concluded the opposite.

• Mosquitoes: Since several of the other essential oils – such as geranium, citronella and basil – can be used as mosquito repellents, there is reason to believe that lavender oil can also be used for the same purpose. However, studies in this area are scarce, which is one of the reasons why lavender oil is not yet used in commercial mosquito repellents.

• Patchy hair loss: Alopecia areata is a disease that causes patchy hair loss. An extensive study from 1998 showed that daily massage with lavender oil can be used to treat alopecia areata. The treatment involved massaging the oil mixture into the scalp every evening for 2 minutes. The head was then wrapped in a warm towel to promote absorption. The oil mixture used consisted of the following:
  • 3 drops (108 mg) lavender oil
  • 3 drops (114 mg) rosemary oil
  • 2 drops (88 mg) thyme oil
  • 2 drops (94 mg) cedarwood oil
  • 3 ml jojoba oil
  • 20 ml grapefruit oil

Because the study involves multiple oils, it is not considered scientifically acceptable evidence that lavender oil alone can be used to treat alopecia areata.

The lack of evidence also applies:

• Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)
• Wound healing
• Inflammation
• Blisters
• Colic in infants

It should be emphasized that the above uses are not recognized in medical practice and lavender oil should not be used to treat them. If you are ill, you should seek medical advice.

Documented properties (only applies to some countries)

In some countries there is scientific evidence that lavender oil can be used for the following health problems – but due to legislation, these properties are not recognized in all countries and not scientifically proven:

• Calming effect: Several studies have shown that lavender oil has a calming effect on humans and can therefore be used as a sleeping aid. The sedative effect is also confirmed by the danger of interactions with other sleeping aids and medicines (see the Interactions section at the end of this article). In Germany, Lasea capsules (marketed under the name Silexan) – which contain lavender oil – are approved as an anxiolytic (i.e. a remedy for anxiety, agitation, nervousness and the like).

• Lice: There are several studies that have shown that lavender oil – also in combination with other essential oils – can be used to control head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis). In some countries, lice have developed resistance to chemical lice treatments that typically contain pyrethrin or other pyrethroids and lavender oil therefore represents a suitable – natural – alternative to these products.

Lavender oil uses

Fragrance

Lavender oil has long been used as a fragrance in perfumes but also in soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc. It is also used in various types of air fresheners and the like.

Aromatherapy

Because lavender oil contains a number of substances that can be harmful to the skin and other organs in high concentrations, lavender oil should always be diluted:

• As massage oil: 1-4 drops of lavender oil to 1 tsp. teaspoon of base oil
• For inhalation: 2-4 drops in 2-3 cups of boiling water

Lavender oil can also be used in hot baths (drip a few drops into the bath water) or for diffusion in the air.

Lavender oil is suitable for blending with the following oils:

Precautionary measures

• Ingestion: Basically, all products containing lavender are toxic to the body. Lavender oil is therefore not suitable for human consumption and is not recommended. Ingestion can cause constipation, headaches and loss of appetite.

• Skin – general: Lavender oil can cause skin irritation. It is therefore always recommended to test with a small area of skin – especially if you have sensitive skin.

• Skin – boys: When applied to the skin, lavender oil may cause hormone disruption in boys who have not yet reached puberty. In several cases, lavender oil is suspected to have caused gynecomastia (male breast development) in boys. Whether lavender oil can have a similar effect on girls in the same age group is not yet known.

• Phototoxicity: There have only been a few reported cases of phototoxicity associated with lavender oil, but to be on the safe side, it should not be used immediately before exposure to the sun.

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: It is not recommended that pregnant women or nursing mothers use lavender oil (internally) as the effects of lavender oil on pregnant women, nursing mothers, fetuses or infants are not yet known.

• Surgery: Lavender and lavender oil may affect the nervous system. In surgeries where anesthesia is used, the combined effect of anesthesia and lavender may dull or overly inhibit the nervous system. Therefore, all use of lavender and lavender oil is not recommended at least 2 weeks before surgery.

• Other side effects: Especially with inhalation (in aromatherapy), side effects such as headache, chills, nausea and vomiting occur. However, these symptoms can also occur when lavender oil is applied to the skin.

Interactions

Lavender and lavender oil can make us sleepy or drowsy, and can therefore interact with some of the substances used for the same purpose in medicine. The problem with lavender's interaction with drugs is typically that it enhances their sedative effect, which can be dangerous.

The following substances can interact with lavender and lavender oil:

• Chloral hydrate: Chloral hydrate (can also be spelled chloral hydrate) is a substance used to sedate children, for example.

• Barbiturates: This group of drugs was mainly used to treat nervousness, anxiety and sleep problems, and was previously found in most sleeping pills. Although there aren't many barbiturates on the market anymore, you should still be aware that they can interact with lavender and lavender oil.

• CNS depressants: These drugs are used for many different conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain and more.