Lavender 💜✨ // Lavendula angustifolia
This herb has traditionally been used for centuries in herbal medicine for its calming properties.💆♀️The flowers are used in teas and tinctures, and the essential oil (from steam distillation of flowering tops) is widely used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation.
An oral Lavender oil preparation in capsule form has been shown in studies to significantly improve anxiety compared to placebo, and was shown to be equally effective or better compared to two common anxiety medications (Paroxetine and Lorazepam/“Ativan"). 📊 Lavender also significantly improved sleep, restlessness, depressive symptoms and quality of life. It was shown to have no interactions, dependence, withdrawal, sedative effects or side effects other than mild stomach upset and/or lavender burps 😝
Lavender can be useful for anxiety and overwhelm, depression, panic attacks, restlessness, sleep issues, stress, and headaches from stress. Bring on the zen!
⚠️ Do not ingest lavender essential oil unless in a preparation/supplement approved for oral consumption and recommended by your healthcare provider. Consult your licensed naturopathic doctor for more information!
Sources: glassfordhealthReferences: Kasper, S., Müller, W., Volz, H., Möller, H., Koch, E., & Dienel, A. (2017). Silexan in anxiety disorders: Clinical data and pharmacological background. The World Journal Of Biological Psychiatry, 1-9. Kasper, S., Gastpar, M., Müller, W., Volz, H., Möller, H., Schläfke, S., & Dienel, A. (2014). Lavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder – a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetine. The International Journal Of Neuropsychopharmacology, 17(06), 859-869. Kasper, S., Gastpar, M., Müller, W., Volz, H., Möller, H., Dienel, A., & Schläfke, S. (2010). Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of ‘subsyndromal’ anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 25(5), 277-287. Woelk, H., & Schläfke, S. (2010). A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder. Phytomedicine, 17(2), 94-99.