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| '''Lavender oil''' is an ] obtained by ] from the flower spikes of certain species of ]. Two forms are distinguished, ''Lavender Flower Oil'', a colorless oil, insoluble in water, having a density of 0.885 (g/mL) |
'''Lavender oil''' is an ] obtained by ] from the flower spikes of certain species of ]. Two forms are distinguished, ''Lavender Flower Oil'', a colorless oil, insoluble in water, having a density of 0.885 (g/mL); and ''Lavender Spike Oil'', a distillate from the herb ''Lavandula latifolia'', having density 0.905. Lavender Flower Oil is a designation of the ] and the ]. It is not a pure ]; it is a complex mixture of natural products. Lavender oil should never be taken internally. | ||
| == |
==Therapeutic uses== | ||
| Lavender oil, which has long been used in the production of ], can also be used ]. The scent has a calming effect which may aid in ] and the reduction of ]. It may also help to relieve pain from ] when breathed in as vapor or diluted and rubbed on the skin. When added to a ], lavender oil may aid in the treatment of ] and ]. | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| Lavender oil may also be used as a ] when worn as perfume or when added to lotions or hair products. | |||
| ==Medicinal uses== | ==Medicinal uses== | ||
| According to advocates of ], lavender oil can be used as ] and to treat a variety of common ailments.<ref>See the article in the August 2006 issue of Dr. Alexander Grant’s Health Gazette.</ref> | |||
| The diluted or undiluted oil may be used as an ] and ] to be applied to ] and ]. For the treatment of ] and ], 10 drops of oil can be diluted in 25 mL of ]. ('''Note:''' This is not an effective sunblock.) When added to ], lavender oil may be effective on ]. | |||
| To create a ] which may be effective in the relief of ] and ], 1 mL of oil can be added to 1 oz. of carrier oil and rubbed liberally on the affected area. To create a chest rub for relief of ] and ] spasm, 1 mL of lavender oil and 5 drops of chamomile oil can be added to 10 mL of carrier oil. | |||
| As a treatment for ], 5-10 drops of oil can be diluted in water to produce a ], while a few drops of undiluted oil can be added to a ] to eliminate ]. | |||
| ⚫ | As far as serious ailments, researchers at the ] have found that lavender oil may have played a role in the reduction of advanced ] in lab rats. Research is on-going for potential ], ], ], ], and ] ].{{fact}} | ||
| * '''Cream''' Add a few drops of oil to ] cream for ]. | |||
| * '''Lotion''' Add a few drops of oil to a little water for ] or ]. | |||
| * '''Chest Rub''' Add 1 ml oil and 5 drops ] to 10 ml ] for asthmatic and bronchitic spasm as well as larger breasts. | |||
| * '''Hair Rinse''' Dilute 5-10 drops of oil in water for ], or use a few drops of ] on a fine comb for ]s. | |||
| * '''Massage Oil''' Dilute 1 ml 'lavender oil' in 25 ml ], and massage into painful muscles. Dilute 10 drops in 25 ml ] and massage into the temples and nape of the neck for tension headaches or at the first hint of a ]. | |||
| * '''Oil''' Apply undiluted to insect bites and stings. Dilute 10 drops oil in 25 ml ] for ] or to help prevent sunburn. (Note: this is not an effective sunblock.) | |||
| ==Counterindications== | |||
| Alternative medicine advocates claim that lavender oil is a brilliant first-aid item, and can be applied undiluted to burns, cuts and bruises. It can help reduce scarring, as well as reducing inflammation. | |||
| ⚫ | Lavender oil has recently been implicated in ], the abnormal development of breasts in young boys. Denver ] Clifford Bloch discovered the link after several boys presented with enlarged breasts. Subsequently, Derek Henley and Kenneth Korach of the ] in ], N.C., discovered in lavender and ] the presence of compounds which both suppress male hormones and counter female hormones. | ||
| Because ] levels are normally low prior to ], young boys and girls are particularly sensitive to ] and ] compounds. The discovery of the gynecomastia link in boys has led some researchers to suspect lavender and tea tree oils, which are present in various personal care products including ] and ], may also contribute to the increased incidence of ] in girls. | |||
| This information was found in Science News (170:6,2006) and also reported in the August 2006 Dr. Alexander Grant's Health Gazette, Volume 29, Number 7. | |||
| Discontinuation of use of these products resulted in rapid reversal of gynecomastia in Bloch’s young patients.<ref>See the article in the July 1, 2006 issue of Science News for further information on this study.</ref> | |||
| ==Safety== | |||
| {{cleanup-section|November 2006}} | |||
| ⚫ | Lavender oil has recently been implicated in abnormal development of breasts |
||
| Boys and girls are particularly sensitive to estrogenic and androgenic compounds because their sex hormone levels are normally low prior to puberty. Discovery of the gynecomastia link in boys has led some researchers to suspect lavender and tea tree oils also may be contributing to the increased incidence of early breast development in girls. | |||
| Lavender and tea tree oils are present in various bodycare products including shampoo and skin care oils. "Rapid reversal of gynecomastia" followed discontinued use of these products by Bloch's young patients. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 22:57, 1 November 2006
Lavender oil is an essential oil obtained by distillation from the flower spikes of certain species of lavender. Two forms are distinguished, Lavender Flower Oil, a colorless oil, insoluble in water, having a density of 0.885 (g/mL); and Lavender Spike Oil, a distillate from the herb Lavandula latifolia, having density 0.905. Lavender Flower Oil is a designation of the National Formulary and the British Pharmacopoeia. It is not a pure compound; it is a complex mixture of natural products. Lavender oil should never be taken internally.
Therapeutic uses
Lavender oil, which has long been used in the production of perfume, can also be used aromatherapeutically. The scent has a calming effect which may aid in relaxation and the reduction of anxiety. It may also help to relieve pain from tension headache when breathed in as vapor or diluted and rubbed on the skin. When added to a vaporizer, lavender oil may aid in the treatment of cough and respiratory infection.
Lavender oil may also be used as a mosquito repellant when worn as perfume or when added to lotions or hair products.
Medicinal uses
According to advocates of alternative medicine, lavender oil can be used as first aid and to treat a variety of common ailments.
The diluted or undiluted oil may be used as an antiseptic and pain reliever to be applied to minor burns and insect bites and stings. For the treatment of sunburn and sunstroke, 10 drops of oil can be diluted in 25 mL of carrier oil. (Note: This is not an effective sunblock.) When added to chamomile, lavender oil may be effective on eczema.
To create a massage oil which may be effective in the relief of joint and muscle pain, 1 mL of oil can be added to 1 oz. of carrier oil and rubbed liberally on the affected area. To create a chest rub for relief of asthmatic and bronchitic spasm, 1 mL of lavender oil and 5 drops of chamomile oil can be added to 10 mL of carrier oil.
As a treatment for head lice, 5-10 drops of oil can be diluted in water to produce a hair rinse, while a few drops of undiluted oil can be added to a fine comb to eliminate nits.
As far as serious ailments, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that lavender oil may have played a role in the reduction of advanced mammary tumors in lab rats. Research is on-going for potential breast, ovarian, pancreatic, liver, and prostate cancer treatments.
Counterindications
Lavender oil has recently been implicated in gynecomastia, the abnormal development of breasts in young boys. Denver endocrinologist Clifford Bloch discovered the link after several boys presented with enlarged breasts. Subsequently, Derek Henley and Kenneth Korach of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, N.C., discovered in lavender and tea tree oils the presence of compounds which both suppress male hormones and counter female hormones.
Because sex hormone levels are normally low prior to puberty, young boys and girls are particularly sensitive to estrogenic and androgenic compounds. The discovery of the gynecomastia link in boys has led some researchers to suspect lavender and tea tree oils, which are present in various personal care products including shampoos and lotions, may also contribute to the increased incidence of early breast development in girls.
Discontinuation of use of these products resulted in rapid reversal of gynecomastia in Bloch’s young patients.
See also
- See the article in the August 2006 issue of Dr. Alexander Grant’s Health Gazette.
- See the article in the July 1, 2006 issue of Science News for further information on this study.