What is Lavender?
Lavender is a popular herb in cooking and herbal medicine. Its characteristic aroma can be found in everything from soap and shampoo to perfumes and e-liquids.
The essential oil of lavender is used in aromatherapy for promoting relaxation and sleep and is a common essential oil option for adding to humidifiers or DIY herbal salves and lip balms.
Herbalists also use lavender internally for chronic stress and insomnia — which relies on the ability for some of the phytochemicals in lavender to interact with GABA receptors.
Topically, lavender is a soothing and vulnerary agent — helping to reduce inflammation, ease pain or itchiness, and speed wound healing. Part of this effect is due to the potent antibacterial and antifungal effects of the herb’s essential oil content — which makes up a large percentage of the leaves and flowers.
Common Names For Lavender
- Lavender
- Laventelit (Finland)
- English Lavender
Herbal Actions of Lavender
- Analgesic (mild)
- Antibacterial
- Antidepressant (mild)
- Antifungal
- Antioxidant
- Anxiolytic
- Antiparasitic
- Carminative
- Nervine Relaxant
- Neuroprotective