The name Lavender comes from the Latin word “lavare”, meaning “wash”. Common to the pacific northwest, lavender is frequently used in saches, soaps, balms, and perfumes because of its pleasing scent. It is occasionally added as a unique flavoring to baked goods and chocolates, teas, and even some French cheeses. Lavender has also been used as a treatment for a range of ailments, such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, and even hair loss and eczema.

The medicinal properties of Lavender come from the oil located in the small blue buds, which cluster together to form the distinct-looking flower. The oil is also responsible for the lovely fragrance of lavender, and is used in many aromatherapies. When the scent is inhaled, it has calming, soothing and sedative effects. This has proven useful for those suffering from insomnia. Drops of lavender oil can be dropped on one’s pillow, or saches filled with lavender can be placed under pillows or around one’s bed. Linalool, one of the main components of lavender, is shown to be responsible for these calming effects.

Lavender oil has been shown to have anti-oxidant as well as anti-bacterial properties. As an anti-oxidant, linoleic acid from lavender oil works to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation occurs when free radicals take electrons from essential lipids.

When introduced into bacterial cultures, Lavender oil was shown to reduce the appearance of the bacteria. However, little is known about the exact mechanism for this process. It has been suggested that certain constituents of Lavender oil may disrupt the function of some cell membranes, thereby killing certain bacterial cells.

Lavender is also used as a treatment for skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. The severity of eczema is affected by the stress-level of an individual, thus lavender can aid in the treatment of eczema by lowering stress. Additionally, lavender can be rubbed on the skin as a massage oil. It reduces scarring and speeds healing of the affected skin, which leads many to believe that lavender has anti-inflammatory properties. Essential oil rubs containing lavender have also been shown to combat hair loss that results from alopecia areata.

Once again, there is little sufficient evidence to conclude that Lavender oil does posses anti-inflammatory properties. Studies performed on mice with edema (swelling due to accumulation of body fluid) that were treated with lavender conclude that it reduced the inflammation. However, the exact chemical pathway is unknown. It has been suggested that the components lynalyl acetate and linalool both work to reduce inflammation in the body.

Hui, Lu. "Chemical Composition of Lavender Essential Oil and Its Antioxidant Activity and Inhibition against Rhinitis- Related Bacteria." African Journal of Microbiology Research 4.4 (2010): 309-13.

Hui, Lu. "Chemical Composition of Lavender Essential Oil and Its Antioxidant Activity and Inhibition against Rhinitis- Related Bacteria." African Journal of Microbiology Research 4.4 (2010): 309-13.

Prashar, A., I. C. Locke, and C. S. Evans. "Cytotoxicity of Lavender Oil and Its Major Components to Human Skin Cells." Cell Proliferation 37.3 (2004): 221-29. Print.