Lavender Oil

Alternative names: Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula officinalis

Lavender oil is believed to possess antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and other medicinally useful properties.

Source

Lavender oil is produced by distilling the flower spikes of certain species.  It is available in many products and many forms, including aromatherapy oil, bath gels, extracts, infusions, lotions, soaps, teas, tinctures, and whole, dried flowers.

Why it is Recommended

Studies have also suggested that lavender oil is useful for anxiety disorder, stress, insomnia, restlessness, vomiting, nausea, intestinal gas, upset stomach, abdominal swelling, headache pain, sprains, wound healing, canker sores, post-operative pain (including C-sections), alopecia areata, and preventing general hair loss.

Lavender oil's antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties make it useful in treating minor burns and bug bites.

It has been found to possess highly potent wide-spectrum antifungal activity.  It is highly effective against a range of fungal skin infections (such as candidiasis) – including some that are resistant to antifungal drugs.

Other unproven uses of lavender oil include: Insomnia, depression, menstrual pain, migraine headaches, nausea, vomiting, colic, constipation, toothache, ear infections, acne, eczema, hypertension, head lice, loss of appetite.