Spotlight Herb: Lavender
Hello everyone! Carol here, owner of Green Magick Apothecary. Welcome back to our blog series all about herbs, their history, and their common uses. This week, we are talking about a very versatile herb that is a main ingredient in our new release due out this week: Lavender!
Geographically, lavender is native to France and the western mediterranean, but has become renowned for its calming and relaxing effects worldwide. It became popular as a medicine in the middle ages, and in 1620 it was brought to the new world by the pilgrims. In folklore, lavender was sewn into pillows to help restless people sleep more soundly. Today, lavender is known to have a positive effect on all sorts of ailments; from muscle pain and soreness, to asthma and migraine.
Lavender’s main active ingredient is its volatile oil, which contains over 40 constituents including linalyl acetate, cineole, linalool (a powerful terpene known for its ability to promote relaxation and encourage sleep), nerol, borneol, and flavonoids which are packed with antioxidants. The volatile oils in lavender are antispasmodic, anxiety relieving, antidepressant, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, and antibacterial. This makes lavender extremely popular for treating a whole host of ailments and complaints. However, the most well known function of lavender on the body is its effect on the nervous system.
There is a lot of research on lavender oil’s overall effect on the nervous system which is to soothe and calm it. Lavender is often combined with other sedating herbs to relieve sleeplessness, irritability, headaches and migraine, and depression. Scientific evidence suggests that lavender aromatherapy effectively slows activity in the nervous system, improve sleep quality, promote relaxation, and improve mood in people who suffer from sleep disorders. In 2014, a study found that lavender oil was more effective when taken internally than both placebo and a conventional tranquilizer at relieving generalized anxiety. The same study also showed noticeable antidepressant activity. Studies also suggest that for relaxation, massage with lavender oil was more beneficial than regular massage. One study found that people who received a massage with lavender oil felt less anxious and more positive than those who had a massage with no scent. Several smaller studies also suggest that lavender may also be beneficial at relieving agitation in elderly patients with dementia. Other studies have also shown similar benefits; and confirmed relaxant, antidepressant, and gently sedative activity.
{Side note- I can personally attest to the effect of lavender oil on anxiety. Two years ago, in preparation for open-heart surgery, I had to have a 3-hour MRI study of my heart. I have crippling claustrophobia, you guys. Knowing this, my usual way of dealing with this is to have my doctor prescribe a tranquilizer for me to take before the test. Well I was SO drugged up from the pills during this particular test that I kept falling asleep. (Which is very counterintuitive, because you need to follow breathing prompts for the study.) Long story short, I had to redo a portion of the study, about 30 minutes in total. I didn't want to take medication for such a short study, but knew 30 minutes might be longer than I could handle. The tech and I talked about this and she suggested I try some lavender oil in an aromatherapy patch placed near my chest so I could breathe it in. I love the smell of lavender, so I was game, but not really convinced it would work. Seriously, you guys, I’m not joking, IT WORKED! I made it through the whole study and barely lost control of my breathing!}
The lavender flower is also used medicinally, and although studied much less, they are believed to have significantly greater carminative (gas-relieving) and neuroprotective activity. Applied externally, flower extracts are also insecticidal and rubefacient (warming and stimulating to blood flow)
As mentioned, lavender is also excellent for the digestive tract. In Germany, it is an approved treatment for aiding in digestion. Due to its volatile oil content, lavender can increase the release of digestive fluids, smooth the muscles of the digestive tract and soothe after-meal cramps. Lavender flowers infused in tea have been used to soothe indigestion, colic, gas, bloating, and constipation for centuries.The oils in lavender also have antibacterial qualities, so it can also help to control the growth of bad bacteria in the gut without destroying the good microbes.
For the skin, the benefits of using lavender oil are undeniable. Lavender is antibacterial and antimicrobial, making it an excellent treatment for acne. It is packed with antioxidants and can help to unclog pores and reduce inflammation. Lavender is also used in first aid because the oil is strongly antiseptic and can help heal wounds, sores, and burns (including sunburns). Lavender is also commonly used to help treat and control dry skin related ailments like eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. It can take the itch out of an insect bite, and when added to a carrier oil and used in a spray bottle is an effective all-natural insect repellent, making it a good treatment for scabies and head lice as well. It even can be used to calm an asthma attack, especially those that are anxiety-driven.
Another good use for lavender is for improving the health of the hair and scalp. Its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties can prevent the growth of microbes, help open pores in the scalp, and promote hair growth. Since it is also anti-inflammatory, it can help with itchy scalp and aid in dandruff control by reducing dryness and flaking. One study of patients with alopecia areata (an auto-immune disease that causes the hair to fall out) found that after 7 months, people who massaged their scalp with lavender oil experienced significant regrowth of their hair compared to those who massaged without the oil. Furthermore, for those that begin losing hair due to hormonal changes, lavender has the ability to increase blood flow to the scalp, reduce stress levels, and regulate hormone levels by controlling cortisol levels, making it a great addition to your hair care routine! To make a lavender oil for skin and scalp massage, add 1 cup of dried lavender buds to 2 cups of the carrier oil of your choice, then simmer for 20 minutes and allow to sit overnight. Then strain, and add to the bottle of your choice! It's that easy! You can also make a lavender-scented oil for insect repellent by adding 5 drops of essential oil to the same amount of carrier oil and add to a spray bottle.
At Green Magick Apothecary, we use lavender blossoms or essential oil in all of our products. We use it in our Tenison Talisman Balm that we make to help with head and neck tension that cause headache. It's in our Skin-Nirvana Soothing Skin Balm because of its healing properties, and it's in our Resplendent Rose Facial Balm because of its healing effects to the skin. We also add it to all of our Mystikal Muscle Rubs due to its anti-inflammatory function. Now, we have made a balm that makes lavender the shining star: Stress Solace Balm.
This balm is PACKED with lavender and other calming and relaxing herbs. We used 3 cups of lavender blossoms in a single batch and gave it a scent that is lavender based but also herbal and fresh. We then top it off with a few lavender blossoms because, well, it looks and smells so pretty! This balm was a customer request, from a dear friend who lives in a constant state of anxiety being the mom of a child with special needs. She wanted a product that would transport her to a place of tranquility every time she opened the can. So, we obliged!
Unlike most of our products, this formula did not come easily, however. We made the first batch with too much valerian, which if you aren't careful can overpower the whole batch, and smells like sweaty gym socks, so that isn’t good! We threw a ton of lavender essence at it, to cover up the smell, but it was hopeless. We threw out that batch and started again. The second batch came out much better, but due to the amount of product that goes into it, is too costly to make again in this exact formula. So this balm is a limited edition, and will not be made again. Since we put it into the cans, we have encountered delay after delay with the labeling as well, and have had to push the release date 3 times! The labels are now due to arrive on Monday, 12/9, right in time to be shipped for the holidays!
One final announcement: Sign up on our home page for our new loyalty program, where you can earn 5 points for every dollar you spend, as well as points for referring a friend, following us on social media, and for signing up for our mailing list. Announcements about the release of this highly-anticipated product, as well as any sales we might be running will be delivered through those channels! The savings could really add up!