Does Lavender Produce Calming Effects?

By Hannah Brown

Background information Name comes from the Latin root

“lavare” meaning “to wash”. Used in baths, as it was believed to

purify body and spirit. Now commonly used for its aromatic

fragrance, soaps, shampoos, and soothing and sedative effects.

Plant Information Lavandula angustifolia or Lavandula

officinalis Native to the mountainous zones of the

Mediterranean Grows in sunny, stony habitats Today, it flourishes in Southern Europe,

Australia, and the United States.

Plant info continued… Heavily branched shrub that is a

member of the mint family The oil in the lavender plant’s flowers

give it it’s fragrant scent. This oil is extracted from fresh flowers

and used for medical and relaxation purposes.

Uses In folklore, pillows were filled with

lavender to help the restless sleep There is now scientific evidence that

aromatherapy with lavender slows the activity of the nervous system

Lavender flowers have been approved in Germany to make tea for insomnia, restlessness, and stomach irritations

More Uses Lavender is used together with

therapeutic massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic manipulation

Used for depression, headaches, and anxiety disorders

There are, however, precautions to be taken when combining with other conventional medicines

Evidence A study from the University of Miami

followed brain activity with an EEG machine.

Found more brainwaves suggesting drowsiness

University of Northumbria in the UK did a similar study with mood results, and found those exposed to lavender with notably better moods

My experiment Can be used to calm children or pets In theory, this can calm dogs that are

fearful, agitated, and hyperactive. 10 dogs of all ages, sizes, and

disposition 5 exposed to lavender oils Recorded stress levels before and after

treatment (1 hour) Stress=barking, pacing, jumping, etc

Results 5 not exposed to lavender: 2 showed a

drop in stress displays 5 exposed to lavender: 4 showed major

reduction in stress

Sources Natural Health Web. Kristen Bell. 11

November 2009. http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/bell3.html

Soothe Your Senses. Psychology Today. 11 November 2009. http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200606/soothe-your-senses-lavender

Lavender. University of Maryland. 2008. 13 November 2009. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/lavender-000260.htm