Lavender Extract

Species Name: Lavandula angustifolia

Also Known As: Common lavender, English lavender, French lavender, Garden lavender.

The Lavender plant is a short shrub that grows to about two feet in height. Gray-green narrow leaves and blue-violet flowers cover the heavily branched shrub.

This plant is native to Mediterranean mountain zones. Today Lavender grows prolifically throughout Australia, Europe, and the United States. Lavender flowers and leaves have a unique, fragrant scent.

What is Lavender Extract? Medicinal Lavender extract is made from the plant’s flowers. Lavender extracts and oils are also used in many culinary dishes.

Home Remedies Using Lavender Extract:

Benefits of Lavender Extract:

Lavender extract can be used internally and externally, and is popular in aromatherapy. Traditionally this extract has been used to treat anxiety, depression, fatigue, and insomnia.

Topically the lavender extract oils are used to treat acne and hair loss, avoid contact with lips, nostrils, and eyes. There are current studies being done that support antibacterial and antiviral properties of this extract. Lavender extract in an essential oil is often used in aromatherapy to treat exhaustion, headaches, and nervous disorders.

Skin ailments, including fungal infections like candidiasis, eczema, and acne respond to topical treatments of lavender extract oil. The extract can also be dissolved in a healing bath and used for joint and muscle pain.

Lavender extract is prepared from the dried flowers and the oils of the lavender plant. This extract is then available in solid form as a pill, capsule or caplet.

The topical extract is available in oil or tincture form. It is recommended that pill forms of lavender be taken with a full glass of water.

One medical study stated that, “Lavender oil shows both fungistatic and fungicidal activity against C. albicans strains, thus reducing fungal progression and the spread of infection in host tissues.”

Side Effects of Lavender Extract:

Some people may be allergic to lavender. Watch for headache, nausea, vomiting and chills after inhaling, ingesting or absorbing lavender through the skin.

If you have a serious allergic reaction that includes difficulty breathing, hives, throat closing or lips, tongue, or face swelling; stop taking lavender and seek emergency medical attention.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women and children should avoid using lavender as there haven’t been any studies on the affects of lavender at this time.

Since lavender is known to have a sedative effect, be cautious when operating heavy machinery.