LAVENDER ESSENCE

Synonyms:
Lavendula  Angustofolia Flowers Oil; a-pinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, cis-ocimene, trans-ocimene, 3-octanone, camphor, linalool, linalyl acetate, caryophyllene, terpinen-4-ol and lavendulyl acetate;Lavender oil ; Lavender essence; lavanta yağı; lavanta esansı; lavanta; Lavander; Lavender; ESSENCE DE LAVANDE; huile de LAVANDE; esans; LAVANTA; Pure lavender essential oil ; lavender essential oil; lavender essential; Pure lavander essential oil ; lavander essential oil; lavander essential; lavande; lavand; LAVANDE; saf lavanta esansı; saf lavanta yağı; Lavanta yağı; LAVENDULA  ANGUSTOFOLİA FLOWERS OİL; A-PİNENE, LİMONENE, 1,8-CİNEOLE, CİS-OCİMENE, TRANS-OCİMENE, 3-OCTANONE, CAMPHOR, LİNALOOL, LİNALYL ACETATE, CARYOPHYLLENE, TERPİNEN-4-OL AND LAVENDULYL ACETATE;LAVENDER OİL ; LAVENDER ESSENCE; LAVANTA YAĞI; LAVANTA ESANSI; LAVANTA; LAVANDER; LAVENDER; ESSENCE DE LAVANDE; HUİLE DE LAVANDE; ESANS; LAVANTA; PURE LAVENDER ESSENTİAL OİL ; LAVENDER ESSENTİAL OİL; LAVENDER ESSENTİAL; PURE LAVANDER ESSENTİAL OİL ; LAVANDER ESSENTİAL OİL; LAVANDER ESSENTİAL; LAVANDE; LAVAND; LAVANDE; SAF LAVANTA ESANSI; SAF LAVANTA YAĞI; LAVANTA YAĞI 

LAVENDER ESSENCE

Lavender oil

Lavender oil is an essential oil obtained by distillation from the flower spikes of certain species of lavender. There are over 400 types of lavender species worldwide with different scents and qualities. 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 g/mL. Like all essential oils, it is not a pure compound; it is a complex mixture of phytochemicals, including linalool and linalyl acetate.

Production
Pure lavender essential oil is produced through steam distillation. This generates a greater amount of oil compared to other methods due to reduction of polar compound loss.[1] Harvest of lavender blooms are typically around June. Lavender flowers are compacted into a still. Fewer air pockets in the still result in greater oil yield. A boiler is then used to steam the bottom of the lavender flower filled still at a very low pressure. The lavender flower pockets containing oil are broken from this heating process and a pipe of cold water is run through the center of the still. The hot lavender oil vapor condenses on the cold pipe with the cold water and is collected into a holding tank where it is allowed to settle. Due to polarity and densities of the water and oil, these two will separate in the holding tank whereupon the water is piped out, leaving just lavender essential oil.[2]

Lavender oil is produced around the world, with Bulgaria leading the global industry.[3]

Uses
Lavender oil has long been used as a perfume, for aromatherapy, and for skin applications.[4][5]:184–186 Lavender oil is used in massage therapy as a way of inducing relaxation through direct skin contact.[4][6]

Oil of spike lavender was used as a solvent in oil painting, mainly before the use of distilled turpentine became common.[7]

Adverse effects
In rare cases, lavender oil in soaps, shampoos, and other skin applied medications may cause prepubertal gynecomastia (breast development in young boys).[8] Other potential adverse effects include a sedative effect and contact dermatitis as an allergic reaction, possibly resulting from major lavender oil constituents, camphor, terpinen-4-ol, linalool and linalyl acetate.[9][4]

In Australia lavender oil is one of the many essential oils that have been increasingly causing cases of poisoning, mostly of children. In the period 2014-2018 there were 271 reported cases in New South Wales, accounting for 6.1% of essential oil poisoning incidents.[10]

Composition
The exact composition of lavender essential oil varies from species to species but consists primarily of monoterpeneoids and sesquiterpeneoids. Of these linalool and linalyl acetate dominate, with moderate levels of lavandulyl acetate, terpinen-4-ol and lavandulol. 1,8-cineole and camphor are also present in low to moderate qualities. In all lavender oil typically contains many more than 100 compounds, although a great many of these are present at very low concentrations.

DESCRIPTION
Obtained by distilling lavender flowers. Purifies and perfumes the house, banishes mosquitoes. Can be used in hundreds of different ways: a few drops on a pillow, handkerchief, linen, in cupboards, in the bath water. And also as a rub to relieve stiff muscles and insect bites. 100ml bottle

The Health Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil
This soothing oil can calm anxiety and improve sleep

Table of Contents
Health Benefits
Side Effects
Dosage and Preparation 
What to Look For 
Common Questions 
Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular and versatile essential oils used in aromatherapy. Distilled from the plant Lavandula angustifolia, the oil promotes relaxation and believed to treat anxiety, fungal infections, allergies, depression, insomnia, eczema, nausea, and menstrual cramps.
In essential oil practices, lavender is a multipurpose oil. It is purported to have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidepressant, antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, as well as antispasmodic, analgesic, detoxifying, hypotensive, and sedative effects.
Health Benefits
Lavender essential oil and its properties have been widely studied. Here's a look at the research.

Anxiety
While there's currently a lack of large-scale clinical trials testing lavender's effects on people with anxiety, a number of studies show that the oil may offer some anti-anxiety benefits.

Several studies have tested lavender's anxiety-reducing effects in specific populations. For example, a study published in Physiology & Behavior in 2005 focused on 200 people awaiting dental treatment and found that breathing in the scent of lavender both lessened anxiety and improved mood.

In addition, a pilot study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice in 2012 indicates that lavender-essential-oil-based aromatherapy may help soothe anxiety in high-risk postpartum women. In an experiment involving 28 women who had given birth in the previous 18 months, researchers found that four weeks of twice-weekly, 15-minute-long aromatherapy sessions helped alleviate depression in addition to lowering anxiety levels

There's also some evidence that ingesting lavender oil may help relieve anxiety. In a report published in Phytomedicine in 2012, for instance, scientists analyzed 15 previously published clinical trials and concluded that dietary supplements containing lavender oil may have some therapeutic effects on patients struggling with anxiety and/or stress.

A more recent review of the literature found 5 studies (2010, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016) showed benefits ins participants with moderate to severe anxiety.

Insomnia
Several studies have shown lavender essential oil may help promote sleep and fight insomnia.

A 2015 study published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine found a combination of sleep hygiene techniques and lavender essential oil therapy helped college students get a better night's sleep than sleep hygiene alone. The study of 79 students with self-reported sleep problems also found inhaling lavender at bedtime improved daytime energy and vibrancy.5

A 2018 study published in Holistic Nursing Practice confirms lavender's effect on sleep. In this study of 30 residents of a nursing home, lavender aromatherapy was found to improve sleep onset, quality, and duration in an elderly population.6

Possible Side Effects
Lavender essential oil may cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction in some individuals. If you experience nausea, vomiting, or a headache after using lavender, discontinue use immediately.

Because consuming lavender essential oil can have toxic effects, this remedy should not be ingested unless under the supervision of a medical professional.

Dosage and Preparation 
There is no recommended daily allowance for lavender essential oil. According to the principles of aromatherapy, breathing in the scent of lavender essential oil or applying lavender essential oil to the skin transmits messages to the limbic system, a brain region known to influence the nervous system and help regulate emotion.

One popular approach involves combining lavender oil with a carrier oil (such as jojoba or sweet almond). Once blended with a carrier oil, lavender essential oil can be massaged into your skin or added to your bath.

You can also sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil onto a cloth or tissue and inhale its aroma, or add the oil to an aromatherapy diffuser or vaporizer.

What to Look For 
Essential oils are not regulated by the FDA and do not have to meet any purity standards. When purchasing essential oils, look for a supplier who either distills their own material or deals directly with reputable distillers, and uses gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to analyze the quality of the product.

When buying pure lavender essential oil, check the label for its Latin name, Lavandula angustifolia. No other oils or ingredients should be listed. If you see another oil, such as fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil, the lavender is diluted and should not be used in a diffuser. 

Essential oils should be packaged in a dark amber or cobalt bottle and stored out of sunlight.

Other Questions 
Can lavender essential oil treat allergies?
Many essential oil proponents recommend using a combination of lavender, lemon, and peppermint oil to relieve allergy symptoms, and claim that lavender is a natural antihistamine. A 1999 study printed in the J Pharm Pharmaceuticals did find that lavender oil inhibits immediate type allergic reactions in mice and rats.

Will adding lavender oil to my mascara make my lashes grow faster?
Adding lavender oil to mascara is purported to help lashes grow thicker and faster. The theory behind this is that tiny mites live on and feast on eyelashes inhibiting growth, and using lavender to kill the mites will allow lashes to grow faster. There is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

Is lavender essential oil a cure for baldness?
A few studies over the years have suggested that lavender oil may reverse hair loss. A 2016 study on mice showed that a diluted topically applied lavender essential oil did lead to dramatic hair growth. An earlier study (1998) looked at people with alopecia areata showed improvement in hair growth with a topically applied combination of lavender, thyme, rosemary and cedarwood.

A Word From Verywell 
While lavender may help soothe mild anxiety, it should not be used in place of professional mental health treatment for any type of anxiety disorder. If you're experiencing symptoms of anxiety such as constant worrying, fatigue, insomnia, and rapid heartbeat, make sure to consult your primary care provider rather than self-treating your anxiety with lavender.

Overview Information
Lavender is an herb. The flower and the oil of lavender are used to make medicine.

Lavender is commonly used for anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It is also used for depression, dementia, pain after surgery, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.

In foods and beverages, lavender is used as a flavor component.

In manufacturing, lavender is used in pharmaceutical products and as a fragrance ingredient in soaps, cosmetics, perfumes, potpourri, and decorations.

Lavender (scientific name Lavandula angustifolia) is commonly contaminated with related species, including Lavandula hybrida, which is a cross between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia, from which lavandin oil is obtained.

How does it work?
Lavender contains an oil that seems to have sedating effects and might relax certain muscles. It also seems to have antibacterial and antifungal effects.

Uses & Effectiveness?
Possibly Effective for
Anxiety. Some research shows that taking a specific type of lavender oil supplement by mouth might improve symptoms in some people with anxiety. Most research also shows that lavender oil aromatherapy or aromatherapy massage improves anxiety.
Depression. Research shows that lavender aromatherapy may improve symptoms in some people with depression. Taking lavender preparations by mouth might also help. While taking lavender appears to be slightly less effective than the antidepressant drug imipramine, taking the two in combination might be more beneficial than taking the drug alone.
Menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea). Lavender oil aromatherapy massages reduce pain associated with menstruation in some young women better than regular massages. Also, inhaling lavender oil for the first 3 days of menstruation seems to reduce stomach pain and backache in women with menstrual pain.
Pain after surgery. Some research shows that inhaling lavender essence while receiving pain killers intravenously (by IV) can help reduce pain in women after a C-section. Other research shows that inhaling lavender for 3 minutes every 6 hours can lessen pain and reduce the need to use acetaminophen after a tonsillectomy in children 6-12 years old.
Possibly Ineffective for
Pain in people with cancer. Research shows that using lavender oil for aromatherapy massage doesn't reduce cancer-related pain compared to massages alone.
Insufficient Evidence for
Patchy hair loss (alopecia areata). There is some evidence that applying lavender oil in combination with oils from thyme, rosemary, and cedarwood might improve hair growth by as much as 44% after 7 months of treatment.
Eczema (atopic dermatitis). Early research shows that using a combination of lavender oil and other herbal essential oils for aromatherapy massage does not improve skin irritation during the day or the ability to sleep at night in children with itchy and inflamed skin.
Canker sores. Research shows that applying 2 drops of lavender oil to the affected area three times daily can reduce canker sore swelling and pain and shorten the time it takes for canker sores to heal.
Excessive crying in infants (colic). Results from one small study show that massaging a combination of lavender and almond oils onto the belly of infants for 5-15 minutes at the onset of colic reduces crying time by about 7 hours per week.
Diseases, such as Alzheimer disease, that interfere with thinking (dementia). Some research shows that using lavender oil in a diffuser at night reduces agitation in people with dementia. But inhaling the scent of lavender oil applied to the shirt collar or on the forearms doesn't seem to decrease dementia-related agitation. Also, using aromatherapy massages doesn't seem to improve mental function in people with dementia.
Fall prevention. There is some evidence that attaching a pad with lavender oil onto the neckline of clothing reduces the risk of falling by 43% in nursing home residents.
Fatigue. Early research shows that inhaling lavender oil for 15-20 minutes twice daily for 4 weeks reduces fatigue in people undergoing dialysis for kidney disease. However, inhaling lavender less often or for less time might not work.
High blood pressure. Early research shows that using an essential oil mixture of lavender, lemon, and ylang ylang as aromatherapy might reduce systolic blood pressure (the top number) but not diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) in people with high blood pressure.
Insomnia. Early research shows that using lavender oil in a vaporizer overnight, or on a gauze pad, cotton ball, or cloth left beside the bed, might help some people with mild insomnia sleep better. But lavender oil aromatherapy does not seem to help people sleep in hospitals.
Labor pain. Early research shows that inhaling the scent of lavender essence three separate times during labor can reduce overall pain in labor.
Lice. Early research shows that applying a combination of lavender and tea tree oil to the skin helps kill lice eggs and reduce the number of live lice. It is unclear if the effects are caused by lavender alone or the combination of lavender and tea tree oil.
Symptoms of menopause. Some research shows that inhaling the scent of lavender essence for 4-12 weeks can reduce symptoms of menopause such as flushing.
Migraine. Early research shows that rubbing 2 or 3 drops of lavender oil on the upper lip and inhaling the vapor might reduce migraine pain and nausea, and help stop the headache spreading.
Osteoarthritis. Some research shows that massaging the knee with lavender oil three times each week for 3 weeks can reduce osteoarthritis pain compared to massaging with unscented oil or no massage at all.
Ear infection (otitis media). Early research shows that administering ear drops containing lavender and other herbal extracts improves ear pain in people with ear infections. However, this herbal combination does not appear to be more effective than using a skin-numbing agent along with the antibiotic amoxicillin.
Pain. Some research shows that lavender aromatherapy might help reduce pain from needle insertion. Also, inhaling the scent of lavender oil before a gynecological exam seems to reduce pain during the exam. But lavender aromatherapy doesn't seem to reduce pain during wound dressing changes. Lavender oil aromatherapy also seems to reduce needle stick pain in infants.
Nausea and vomiting after surgery. Some research shows that inhaling lavender oil from a cotton pad might help reduce nausea and vomiting shortly after surgery.
Complications after childbirth. Adding lavender oil to baths seems to reduce redness in the area between the vagina and anus shortly after childbirth. It might also reduce pain in this area, but results are conflicting. Inhaling the scent of lavender oil in the morning, 6 hours later, and at bedtime seems to improve pain, fatigue, distress, and mood in women on the first day after delivery.
Anxiety before surgery. Some people use lavender aromatherapy for reducing anxiety before surgery or other medical or dental procedures. But it's unclear if it's beneficial. Results from research are conflicting.
Feelings of well-being. Some research shows that adding 3 mL of a 20% lavender oil and 80% grapeseed oil mixture to daily baths produces small improvements in mood compared with baths containing grapeseed oil alone. But other research shows that adding lavender oil to aromatherapy massage does not improve well-being or quality of life in cancer patients.
A disorder that causes leg discomfort and an irresistible urge to move the legs (restless legs syndrome or RLS). One study shows that massaging the legs with lavender oil for 10-45 minutes 2-3 times weekly can reduce the severity of restless legs syndrome in people with kidney failure who are undergoing dialysis. But one study suggests that receiving massage with lavender is no better for improving RLS symptoms than unscented massage.
Stress. Inhaling the scent of lavender oil before a gynecological exam seems to reduce distress after the exam. But lavender aromatherapy doesn't seem to reduce stress after heart bypass surgery. It also doesn't seem to reduce stress in students taking an exam.
Absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea).
Acne.
Cancer.
Gas (flatulence).
Headache.
Indigestion (dyspepsia).
Insect repellent.
Loss of appetite.
Nausea and vomiting.
Nerve pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Sprains.
Toothache.
Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate lavender for these uses.