| Most Common Name: | Lavender | | Botanical
Name: | Lavandula Angustifolia, Lavendula
Officinalis | | Also Known As
(other names): | Spike Lavender, Garden Lavender, English
Lavender, Spikenard (Biblical), Nard, Bastard Lavender, White Lavender, French
Lavender, Dwarf Lavender, |
Lavender was used in ancient Syria as a bath essence to purify the body, mind
and spirit. Lavenders use as a tranquilizer, sleeping aid and
antidepressant dates back to ancient times. In the British Isles it was used
against migraines, diabetes and several other conditions including the cleansing
of wounds as recently as the first world war. Earlier than that it was believed
to be a potent aphrodisiac.
It is
used for, or in treatment of: | | Antidepressant | Insomnia | Anxiety | | Wound
dressing | Antiflatulent | Menstrual pain | | Spasmolytic | Carminative | Stimulant |
Contraindications,
do not use if: | | Could cause shin sensitivity if
applied as an oil (rare) | | | | | | | | We
at Beneforce are certainly not experts in the use of every herb. In our studies
and research we do come across warnings that a herb should not be used in
certain circumstances or for certain conditions and ailments. Where possible we
will reflect these on our pages but cannot guarantee that for any herb our list
of contraindications are complete or valid. We urge that you consult an
appropriate and knowledgeable practitioner before treatment. |
Administered
as/Available in: | | Tincture | Fluid
extract | Decoction | | Essential oil | Vinegar | Dried
flowers |
Constituents
(i.e. what has been reported to be in this herb): | | Volatile
oil - see Lavender Essential Oil Also
Lavandin Essential Oil Also Lavender
Spike Essential Oil |
Linalyl Acetate: An Ester (see below) Linalyl Acetate is the
primary constituent, along with Linalool in Lavender oil, although small amounts
are found in other plants.
Esters: Mainly found in small amounts in flowers, Esters are
responsible for the characteristic fragrances of the flowers and volatile oils. Esters
are mostly sedative and antispasmodic and generally non-irritant and mild,
although some, like Methyl Salicylate, found in wintergreen, are more irritant. |
|
Cineole: One of the two most important Monoterpene Oxides, the
other is Ascaridole, Cineole is one of the most widely distributed constituents
amongst plants as an oxidised product of monoterpenes. Cineole is often also
called Eucalyptol, named so because it is the major component of Eucalyptus oil. Cineole
is a expectorant widely used in commercial cough lozenges. It has a reputation
as a skin irritant amongst many practitioners but recent tests have failed to
confirm this. |
Limonene: Limonene has been studied for the anti-tumour effect
noticed in mice. Herbalists often prescribe herbs with this constituent as an
antioxidant and cancer or tumour inhibitor although there is evidence that these
properties are volatile and may be lost as a result of processing of the herb.
Limonene also has antiviral properties. | |
Coumarins: Coumarins are lactones of hydroxycinnamic
acids. Coumarins are lactones. There are many variations of coumarins: Furanocoumarins found in Angelica have a
spasmolitic effect but must be used with caution as they have a strong
phototoxic effect as has many of the Furanocoumarins (Warfarin a blood thinning
drug but also virulent rat poison, is a coumarin derivative). In general
coumarins have antifungal, hypotensive, anticoagulant and antimicrobial properties.
Many of the Coumarins are phototoxic and skin sensitising.
Lactones: A lactone is an Ester that's
functional group has become part of a ring structure with carbon atoms.
Lactones are widely present in the plant kingdom and many are expectorants and
febrifuges. |
|
Triterpenes: A very wide group of compounds that include
saponins and steroids some of which could be harmful. |
Flavonoids: Flavonoids occur (as white and yellow plant pigments
found almost as commonly as chlorophyll) as Glycosides or in a free state. In
plants it is essential for protecting plant tissue from UV radiation and acts as
antioxidants. As pigments it is also responsible for Autumn colors in leaves and
yellow/red pigmentation in flowers. Laboratory experiments have been
conducted on the beneficiary effect of Flavonoids on the heart and circulatory
system. Flavonoids are also used to mitigate stress, especially environmental
stress. Flavonoids are often used for their antioxidant effect against free
radicals. There are also strong indications that they have antiviral,
anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties but dosage has not been
determined which will obviously have a profound effect on their efficacy as a
component of this herb. | Perillyl alcohol |
* Statements made
have not been evaluated by American Food and Drug Authority or similar board
or authority of any other country.
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stopping a treatment of any suspected or diagnosed medical condition or self
improvement plan. |
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