Lavandula Angustifolia: Complete Medicinal Profile
Lavandula angustifolia, also known as English lavender, is a flowering plant species in the lavender genus.
This plant has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, which include its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and calming effects.
The health benefits of English lavender include reducing anxiety and stress, promoting better sleep, and alleviating symptoms of depression and migraines.
English lavender can be prepared in various herbal forms, such as essential oil, dried flowers, and tea, which can be used topically or ingested to reap its benefits.
Study of the Day
According to Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica, Lavandula angustifolia contains flavanoids with potential medicinal purposes.
This page analize the most important medicinal aspects of Lavandula angustifolia.
Table of Contents
Uses and Benefits
Lavandula angustifolia is used to promote relaxation and improve overall well-being, while also offering numerous health benefits such as reducing anxiety and stress, improving sleep quality, and alleviating symptoms of depression.
Its medicinal uses include treating headaches, digestive issues, and skin conditions like acne and eczema.
Regular consumption of lavender tea or oil has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve respiratory health, and even reduce the severity of menstrual cramps.
Additionally, the plant's calming effects have been known to soothe irritated nerves, reduce inflammation, and even help manage symptoms of ADHD.
The health benefits of Lavandula angustifolia are listed below.
- Calm and relaxation: Lavandula angustifolia is known for its calming effects, which can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
- Pain relief: The plant's essential oils have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective in relieving pain and discomfort.
- Sleep improvement: The calming effects of lavandula angustifolia can help improve sleep quality and duration by promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
- Insect repellent: The plant's strong scent can repel insects, such as mosquitoes and moths, making it a natural alternative to chemical repellents.
- Skin and wound healing: Lavandula angustifolia's antiseptic and antifungal properties can help heal wounds, soothe skin irritations, and reduce inflammation.
- Digestive issues relief: The plant's essential oils can help alleviate digestive issues, such as bloating, cramps, and indigestion, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Mood enhancement: The calming and relaxing effects of lavandula angustifolia can help reduce stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of calm and well-being and even help with mild depression.
Here are the best health benefits of Lavandula angustifolia.
Actions
Lavandula angustifolia has been found to exhibit a range of therapeutic actions, including anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, nervine, and sedative properties.
These actions affect various body systems, including the nervous system, which is soothed by the nervine and sedative effects, the cardiovascular system, which benefits from the anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic actions, and the integumentary system, which is protected by the antiseptic properties.
Additionally, Lavandula angustifolia has been shown to exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-emetic actions, which further impact the body's systems, including the digestive system, where the anti-emetic effects can help alleviate nausea.
The plant's actions also extend to the musculoskeletal system, where the anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects can help relieve muscle and joint pain.
The therapeutic actions of Lavandula angustifolia are listed below.
- Antiseptic: Prevents the growth of microorganisms and reduces the risk of infection.
- Anxiolytic: Relieves anxiety and promotes relaxation.
- Calming: Has a soothing effect on the nervous system and reduces stress.
- Cicatrizant: Promotes wound healing and tissue repair.
- Hormone regulator: May help regulate hormonal imbalances and menstrual cycles.
- Nervine: Affects the nervous system and may help with sleep, anxiety, and stress.
- Sedative: Promotes relaxation and reduces restlessness.
Constituents
Lavandula angustifolia has been found to contain a diverse array of bioactive constituents, including flavonoids such as luteolin, apigenin, and lavandulol, which have been shown to possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The plant also contains triterpenoids like ursolic acid and oleanolic acid, which have been demonstrated to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities.
Additionally, Lavandula angustifolia contains sesquiterpenes like camphor and borneol, as well as phenolic compounds like rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid, which have been found to possess antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties.
The combination of these bioactive constituents in Lavandula angustifolia may contribute to its potential health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.
The bioactive constituents of Lavandula angustifolia are listed below.
- Linalool: A terpene alcohol responsible for the calming and relaxing effects of lavender oil
- Lavandulol: A terpene alcohol with a sweet, woody, and herbaceous scent
- Limonene: A terpene with a citrusy scent and known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties
- Beta-caryophyllene: A sesquiterpene with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties
- Apigenin: A flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
- Luteolin: A flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
- Rosmarinic acid: A phenolic acid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Parts
The most commonly used parts of Lavandula angustifolia are the flowers, leaves, and essential oil.
The flowers are often used to make calming teas and infusions, which can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and insomnia, as well as promote relaxation and better sleep.
The leaves can be used to make a tea that is said to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe sore muscles and joints, and even reduce fever.
The essential oil, extracted from the flowers, is commonly used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep quality, and is also used in perfumes, cosmetics, and even as a natural insect repellent.
The following table displays the most used parts of of Lavandula angustifolia and examples of ailments they help cure.
| Parts | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Flowers | Anxiety, insomnia, sore muscles |
| Leaves | Wounds, skin irritations, insect bites |
| Essential oil | Respiratory issues, nausea, headaches |
| Stems | Cuts, infections, fungal infections |
Preparations
Lavandula angustifolia most common herbal preparations are essential oils, infusions, and tinctures, which are used for a variety of health purposes.
Essential oils can be used in aromatherapy to relieve stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and improve sleep quality, while also being applied topically to soothe skin irritations and reduce inflammation.
Infusions, also known as teas, are often consumed to calm the nervous system, ease digestive issues, and promote relaxation, while also being used as a natural remedy for headaches and menstrual cramps.
Tinctures, on the other hand, can be used to treat anxiety and insomnia due to their sedative properties, while also being applied topically to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
The herbal preparations of Lavandula angustifolia are listed below.
- Lavender infusion: A calming herbal tea made by infusing the flowers of lavandula angustifolia in hot water, often used to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
- Lavender tincture: A concentrated liquid extract of lavandula angustifolia, typically used in aromatherapy or as a natural remedy for anxiety and stress.
- Lavender essential oil: A highly concentrated oil extracted from the flowers of lavandula angustifolia, often used in aromatherapy, skincare, and perfumery.
- Lavender salve: A topical cream or ointment made with the flowers of lavandula angustifolia, often used to soothe skin irritations, wounds, and insect bites.
- Lavender honey: A type of honey that is infused with the flowers of lavandula angustifolia, often used to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
- Lavender glycerite: A sweet, syrupy liquid extract of lavandula angustifolia, often used as a natural remedy for anxiety, stress, and digestive issues.
- Lavender syrup: A sweet, liquid extract of lavandula angustifolia, often used to promote relaxation, improve sleep quality, and soothe digestive issues.
Side Effects
Lavandula angustifolia side effects are primarily associated with allergic reactions, digestive issues, and skin problems.
People with sensitive skin, allergies, or those who have experienced adverse reactions to similar plants, such as chamomile or calendula, are most likely to experience these side effects.
Common issues include skin irritation, redness, and itching, as well as gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
Additionally, individuals may experience headaches, dizziness, or lightheadedness due to the plant's essential oil, which can also cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
The possible side effects of Lavandula angustifolia are listed below.
- Digestive issues: Ingesting large amounts of lavender oil can cause stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea due to its saponin and terpene content.
- Allergic reactions: Some individuals may experience an allergic reaction to lavender, including skin irritation, hives, and respiratory issues.
- Interactions with medications: Lavender oil may interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners, diabetes medications, and sedatives, which can lead to adverse effects.
- Skin sensitivity: Applying lavender oil directly to the skin can cause irritation, especially in individuals with sensitive skin.
- Respiratory issues: Inhaling large amounts of lavender oil can cause respiratory issues, such as bronchospasms and asthma attacks.
- Drowsiness and sedation: Lavender oil has a sedative effect, which can cause drowsiness, lethargy, and impaired cognitive function.
- Photosensitivity: Some individuals may experience photosensitivity when using lavender oil, especially when exposed to direct sunlight, which can lead to skin irritation and burns.