24/10/2023
Lavender - medicinal plant of the year 2020
Who hasn't seen the images of lavender fields blooming magnificently in Provence?
The fact that lavender is much more than just a feast for the eyes is demonstrated by its award as Medicinal Plant of the Year 2020. With this award, the Studienkreis Entwicklungsgeschichte der Arzneipflanzenkunde honours the diverse use of true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) in history and more recent research findings on its effects. In 2019 alone, there were over 200 publications on lavender.
Lavender - rich in tradition, versatile, with proven effects
Few plants are as versatile as lavender. Even the Romans valued it for its wonderful fragrance as an addition to washing water and baths. This is probably where its name comes from (Latin lavare ='to wash'). Lavender is still popular today as an additive in scented soaps, bath oils and bath additives. It has also been used as a refined spice in Mediterranean cuisine for thousands of years. Medieval monastic medicine also appreciated the Mediterranean semi-shrub from the labiate family. Hildegard von Bingen recommended lavender as a defence against moths and vermin and lavender wine against lung diseases. Since the 19th century, lavender has made a name for itself primarily as a "nerve plant".
It is most commonly used in a variety of applications:
- Exhaustion, stress
- Unrest
- Anxiety disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Nervous intestinal complaints, nervous irritable stomach, Roemheld syndrome and bloating (meteorism).
Gentle help for better sleep & less anxiety
Lavender oil (Lavandulae aetheroleum) calms, relaxes and can noticeably relieve anxiety. It also has a sleep-promoting effect: lavender oil makes it easier to fall asleep and lets us sleep longer. It also has an antibacterial, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effect. It can therefore also provide valuable services for colds (e.g. in gargle solutions or compresses).
Lavender oil is mainly taken as capsules, but can also be used as a massage oil and bath additive or even inhaled. Lavender is used in balneotherapy to stimulate circulation in the case of functional cardiovascular complaints.
Lavender flowers (Lavandulae flos) can be prepared as a tea or added to bath water as part of balneotherapy as an infusion (see below). Due to their essential oils, they should be stored away from light and tightly sealed (not in plastic containers).
Lavender tips for everyday life
Slumber and relaxation drink
If you long for relaxation, you can enjoy lavender flowers on their own or as a blend as a sleep and relaxation tea. Brew 1.5 g of lavender flowers per cup with boiling water, cover and leave to infuse for 5-10 minutes. Then strain and enjoy at leisure. If you want to enhance the bitter flavour of lavender tea, you can mix it with other teas.Lavender in the kitchen
Whether dried or fresh, on its own or as part of the herbs of Provence - with its slightly bitter flavour, lavender adds a very special touch to spicy roasts, herb sauces, salads and stews. It is mainly the flowers that are used, but also young leaves or shoots. If you want to enjoy your lavender for longer, you can pickle the flowers in salt, sugar, vinegar or oil. Freezing is also possible. Lavender will keep fresh for a few days in the fridge and dried for up to 6 months if it is kept airtight and protected from light. Thanks to its intense flavour, lavender should only be used sparingly. This applies in particular to dried flowers, which release 2 to 3 times more flavour than fresh ones. You can find recipes for cooking, baking and desserts on the internet.Our tip: Try lavender flowers as an edible decoration on cakes or salads.
Laundry bags against moths
Wrapped in small cotton bags, lavender flowers not only give off a pleasant scent in the linen cupboard, but also keep moths away. When the scent wears off, simply knead the bag vigorously. If this no longer helps, replace the flowers with freshly dried ones.Lavender for bees
On the balcony or in the garden, lavender is not only a pleasantly fragrant decoration, but also provides valuable food for bees. Lavender is also said to repel ants, mosquitoes and lice.Lavender as a bath additive
For a relaxing full bath, bring 50 g of dried lavender flowers to the boil in 1 litre of water, cover and boil for 10 minutes. Separate the flowers using a sieve and pour the lavender water into the bath. Ideal for relaxing and savouring in the evening!Lavender oil is also an excellent bath additive. It is best to add a few drops to a cup of whole milk and stir well. The relaxing and skin-caring bath additive is ready.
With lavender oil against hair loss
Lavender oil is a tried and tested home remedy for hair loss. Mix lavender oil with a high-quality oil and massage gently into the scalp. It is best to repeat the massage every evening and leave the oil on the scalp overnight. If you like, you can also mix lavender oil with other essential oils such as thyme, rosemary and cedarwood. A study has shown the following mix to be effective:- 3 drops of lavender oil
- 2 drops of thyme oil
- 3 drops of rosemary oil
- 2 drops of cedar oil
- 3ml jojoba oil
- 20 ml grape seed oil
Lavender oil for headaches
Lavender oil is also a good home remedy for headaches. Simply add a few drops of lavender oil to a pot of hot water (not plastic, please) and inhale over your head with a towel. Alternatively, it is best to add 2 drops of lavender oil to a tablespoon of olive oil at the onset of the headache and gently massage the temples and forehead.Lavender heart topper
Lavender oil is mixed with olive oil for the heart compress. A proportion of 5 % lavender oil is favourable. First rub a handful of the oil mixture onto the chest. Then place a damp cloth and a warm cloth on top. Finally, cover with a duvet and leave to work for 30 minutes.Note: The use of essential oils is not recommended for infants and small children. In addition, there are individual patients who react sensitively to lavender. No data is available on use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Literature
- Blascheck W: Wichtl - Teedrogen und Phytopharmaka. WVG, 6th ed. 2016
- Donelli D et al: Effects of lavender on anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153099
- Forschergruppe Klostermedizin: Medicinal Plant of the Year 2020: True lavender - Lavandula angustifolia.
- Hay IC et al: Randomised trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol 1998;134:1349-52
- Hippold M: Arzneipflanze 2020. With lavender against sleep disorders. br.de
- Kasper S et al: Silexan in anxiety disorders: Clinical data and pharmacological background. The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry, 2017, doi: 10.1080/15622975.2017.1331046
- Kasper S, et al: Efficacy and safety of silexan, a new, orally administered lavender oil preparation, in subthreshold anxiety disorder - evidence from clinical trials. Wien Med Wochenschr, 2010, 160(21-22), 547-56
- Lee BH et al: Hair growth-promoting effects of Lavender iil in C57BL/6 Mice. Toxicol Res. 2016 Apr;32(2):103-8. doi: 10.5487/TR.2016.32.2.103. Epub 2016 Apr 30. PMID: 27123160; PMCID: PMC4843973.
- Lindenau S: Lavender Cooking Recipes
- Lindenau S: Lavender baking recipes
- Lindenau S: Lavender dessert recipes
- March H: Lavender. The medicinal plant for all the senses. Crotona Verlag 2019
- PharmaWiki.ch: Lavender oil capsules (call from 21.01.2020)
- Rutta R: Medicinal Plant of the Year 2020. Lavender, one of the best plants for stress and anxiety Deutschlandfunk from 31 December 2019
- Sasannejad P et al: Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur Neurol. 2012; 67(5):288-91. doi: 10.1159/000335249
- Schuwald A et al: Lavender oil-potent anxiolytic properties via modulating voltage dependent calcium channels. PLOS ONE, 2013, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059998
- Uehleke B. et al: Phase II trial on the effects of Silexan in patients with neurasthenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or somatisation disorder. Phytomedicine, 2012, doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2012.02.020