Today, essential oils and natural remedies have become increasingly popular. One of the most popular flowers during the pandemic has been lavender, especially for those who suffer from sleep deprivation and deal with a lot of stress.
Lavender is native to mountainous regions on the Mediterranean as well as areas in northern Africa. The herb's oil has been extracted for numerous uses such as fungal infections and treating anxiety, hair loss, and various wounds.
During the 1600s, especially at the time of The Black Death (Plague) in Europe, doctors used the herb's pleasant fragrance to contrast the stench of numerous deaths at that time. But the use of lavender goes way back to over 2,500 years ago during the time of the Ancient Egyptians, who used lavender as perfume and was one of the ingredients used for mummification.
In Rome, lavender oil was used as a scent, for bathing, and even for cooking. Lavender was also a popular soap found almost anywhere in the entire Roman Empire. The herb was also used as an antiseptic and had other medicinal uses while the Greeks used the oil for insomnia and backaches.
During the Renaissance and Medieval periods in France, lavender was used to wash clothes, which were dried on lavender bushes. Thus, the hired washerwomen were also called lavenders.
Various Uses of Lavender
Today lavender is being used again much like ancient times. During the lockdown, there had been a surge in lavender sales where people sent the herb's oil as gifts as companies created care packages of other home remedies for isolation and relaxation.
Lavender can also be consumed as a tea, which can help with several gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal swelling, and an upset stomach. The herb can also help relieve headaches, toothaches, muscle sprains, and other body pains.
According to Young Living, an essential oil company, lavender oil can help treat skin irritations, help reduce blemishes and supports aging skin. The aroma can also help calm the mind, body, and help with occasional nervous tension.
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Treating Anxiety
In 2011, a study looked at the antifungal activity of Lavandula Viridis from Portugal. Researchers discovered that the essential oil can fight off several types of fungal infections such as Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans, a type of yeast present in animals and plants.
In another paper, researchers reviewed a capsulated form of lavender, or Silexan, which is used to help reduce anxiety. The team discovered that lavender has a natural calming effect on adults with anxiety, which remains a popular belief until today.
The study included seven trials involving patients with a generalized anxiety disorder or subsyndromal anxiety who took Silexan for several weeks and had their Hamilton Anxiety Scale scores monitored. Dr. Kritsidima shared that their study 'suggest[s] that lavender could certainly be used as an effective 'on-the-spot' anxiety reduction in dentists' waiting rooms.
Other popular essential oils include eucalyptus, chamomile, tea tree oil, and many others. Lavender is just one of the many herbs that have remained a popular natural remedy for centuries.
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