Lavender Oil for Anxiety and Depression: Research and clinical trials continue to prove that lavender is not only incredibly beneficial for anti-aging skin care, aromatherapy and hair but also has the potential to change how we treat anxiety and depression.
For over 2,500 years, lavender has been used as a beauty product as well as for its medicinal benefits, lovely fragrance, aromatherapy, anti-aging properties and within skin care products. Ongoing clinical trials are now pointing to additional effects of lavender, opening a whole new avenue of development for this amazing plant.
Studies and clinical trials with both animals and humans indicate lavender has properties that could be effective for anxiety, as a sedative, for pain relief, and for convulsive disorders. The studies show significant potential for neurological disorders, without addictive issues associated with many anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants.
It has long been known that essential oils contribute to mood changes, calming effects and relaxation and now as laboratory research catches up to ‘alternative medicines’ we find new applications for plants such as lavender.
What is lavender essential oil and how is it used?
Lavender essential oil is found throughout the entire plant; in the flowers, seeds, stock, and roots. They produce these essential oils for functionality, including as a defense against fungal microbes and as well for the plants own metabolic activities. These oils are so powerful that just the smell of lavender has measurable relaxing effects.
This works because the olfactory bulb, which gives us our sense of smell, is an extension of the brain’s limbic system. The processes and mechanisms of the limbic system are complicated but put simply it regulates autonomic or endocrine function in response to emotional stimuli.
Even more simple, smelling lavender makes you feel better. Let’s repeat that.
Smelling lavender makes you feel better.
Do you have anxiety? The smell of lavender can help you remain calm.
How much lavender does it take to make 1 lb of lavender essential oil?
Lavender plants do not have super high concentration of essential oil. It takes over 200 Lbs. of lavender flower just to produce one pound of lavender oil. Lavender oil is concentrated, meaning you don’t need much to see the effects.
Lavender’s long-standing reputation to calm nerves and as providing one with a good night’s sleep has led scientists to continue to study and examine the potential benefits of lavender oils as a potential replacement for drugs like Prozac and Valium in the fight against anxiety and depression, without side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, sexual dysfunction, and addiction.
Lavender essential oil counters anxiety and depression without the potential adverse side effects of prescribed medication. Studies into lavender’s effects continue at laboratories around the world. Cleopatra has been quoted as saying, “Lavender, the fragrance of the gods and medicine of man.”
How we use lavender in our daily lives to reduce anxiety
Like many, we deal with anxiety on a daily basis. But through the use of meditation, deep breathing and using lavender to calm ourselves, we successfully live with anxiety. Some anxiety in life is normal. But you need tools and resources to deal with anxiety. Add in some lavender to help you re-centre yourself and bring some calm to your mind.
If you’re new to lavender, pick up our Hand & Body Lotion. It’s an easy way to incorporate the smell of lavender into moisturizing your hands – with winter coming you’re going to need to moisturize your skin. Add our organic, all natural skincare products to your regular routine. You and your anxiety will thank us.
For more information on lavender, join our club and take a look at our wonderful line of organic, all natural lavender skin care products. We have skincare products for all ages, genders and ethnicities. We believe skincare is for everyone! You can also visit our lavender skin care shop at Woodstock’s finest flower shop, Floral Buds and Design or shop online at Belvedere Lavender skin care products.