Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia/latifolia): Benefits, Uses, Safety and Dosage

Lavender, also commonly referred to as spike/true/English, Spanish, or French lavender, belongs to the family Lamiaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean coast, parts of North and East Africa, Southern Europe, Southwest Asia, and Southeast India. It is currently cultivated in South Africa, Bulgaria, France, China, Australia, the Pacific Northwest, and California.

Lavender uses are as follows:

• In anxiety disorders to reduce symptoms
• Improve healing rate of mouth ulcers
• Improve sleep quality
• In encouraging hair growth in alopecia
• Reduce fatigue
• Reducing worry and restlessness, thus improving well-being
• To help in alleviating pain in menstruation and post-surgery

Medical Uses and ethnopharmacological profile of lavender

Traditional Uses

It was used as a digestive aid in gas and bloating and as a comforting remedy in melancholy and fainting spells, and it was applied as oil on wounds to prevent gangrene and infections. In Roman baths it was believed to purify the body and spirit.

Clinical Uses and Research

General anxiety: Flower Silexan standardized oral extract, when administered to anxious patients at either 80 or 160 mg daily for 6-10 weeks, elicited a decrease in anxiety scores (HAMA) concluded to be non-inferior to drugs like lorazepam 0.5 mg and paroxetine. Linalool and linalyl acetate were identified to have serotonin receptor modulation and antagonism of calcium channel activity. (Woelk 2010)

Respiratory conditions: Latifolia flower and leaf essential oil as a rub or steam (2-5 drops) exhibited improved airway clearance and relief of localized musculoskeletal tension. This was via 1,8-cineole and camphor, which thin mucus and increase blood flow to respiratory cells.

Postpartum depression: The floral essential oil used as 3 drops on a cotton ball for 10 minutes nightly up to six months showed a decrease in depression and anxiety scores. It also improved the quality of sleep. Linalool acted by olfactory stimulation, leading to limbic system modulation in the amygdala/hippocampus.

Insomnia: A flower essential oil patch (2.2%) or inhalation applied to the chest or pillow nightly exhibited an increase in sleep hygiene and a reduction in PSQI scores while increasing the feeling of freshness upon waking up. Linalool was identified to act via indirect modulation of GABA receptors and enhanced parasympathetic nervous system activation.

Postherpetic pain: Flower essential oil inhalation (2% concentration) for 15 minutes decreased subjective pain intensity and episodes. Linalyl acetate was identified to act via an antinociceptive effect and inhibition of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Neurasthenic adults: Flower Silexan oral extract given at 80 mg daily for 6 weeks elicited a decrease in agitation and restlessness as well as a reduction in disturbed sleep. This was through inhibiting glutamate binding in NMDA receptors, thus providing neuroprotection. Linalool was the compound of interest.

In Vivo Uses and Research

Alzheimer’s: In Wistar rats, flower aqueous extract administered at a dose of 100/200 mg/kg for 20 days alleviated memory impairment and cleared beta amyloid-induced oxidative stress in the brain tissue. Phenolics inhibited the acetylcholinesterase enzyme and protected synaptic plasticity.

Spasmolytic: In guinea pigs, topical application of flower essential oil ex vivo reduced the number and intensity of intestinal colic and spasms. Linalool exhibited cAMP-mediated smooth muscle relaxation and acetylcholine release blockade.

Analgesia/anti-inflammation: In Wistar rats, flower essential oils at 0.6 mg/kg body weight orally had analgesic activity comparable to tramadol. Linalyl acetate acted via inhibition of NF-kB and pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby reducing pain and associated redness and swelling. (Silva 2015)

In Vivo Uses and Research

Wound healing: In human fibroblasts, essential oil accelerated cell migration and collagen synthesis, thus validating a wound-healing property. This was via cytokine modulation induced by linalyl acetate.

Antibacterial: In S. aureus and E. coli lab experiments, essential oil laden with 1,8-cineole and camphor disrupted the lipid membrane bilayer, leading to bacterial death.

Anti-tumor: In human breast cancer lines, methanol extracts rich in luteolin and apigenin reduced metastasis via a weak phytoestrogen-binding mechanism. Depending on the concentration, it acted as both an estrogen and an antiestrogen. (Mojodi 2015)

Safety and Dosing profile of Lavender

Forms and Dosing

Capsules and tablets– 80-160 mg

Infusion/teas– 1-3 cups

Tincture (1:4)– 1-2ml up to thrice

Oils– 1-5 drops

Baths

Powders- 1-2 grams

Culinary buds

• Generalized anxiety- 80 mg once daily (can be increased to 160 mg)
• Sleep disorders- 80 mg a day or 2-3 essential oil drops in diffuser at bedtime
• Support in mild depression- 80-160 mg a day
• Postoperative anxiety/stress- 2-4 drops oil in diffuser or mask

Note: Lavender can be tolerated up to 160 mg daily.

Interactions

• Sedatives- may lead to excessive drowsiness
• Antihypertensives- may lead to hypotension
• Blood thinners- may increase risk of bruising
• Statins, antiseizure medication and some birth control

Side effects

• Cramps and constipation
• Increase in appetite
• Headache and drowsiness
• Contact dermatitis
• Photosensitivity
• Possible Hormonal disruption (debated gynecomastia in pre-puberty)
• Paradoxical stimulation

Contraindications

• 2 weeks to surgery
• Children below 12 or before puberty
• Known allergy to the Lamiaceae family
• Asthma and chronic respiratory conditions
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding (may act as an emmenagogue)