Lavandulae aetheroleum

Lavender essential oil, obtained from the fresh flowers and inflorescences of Lavendula angustifoliae (true lavender) by steam distillation, is a colourless to slightly yellowish, characteristically smelling, bitter-tasting oily liquid.

HMPC - Monograph: traditional-use: restlessness, anxious upset.
ESCOP monograph: mood swings, restlessness, agitation, insomnia; functional abdominal disordersCommission
E monograph:external: as a bath for circulatory problems.

Lavender oil contains 30-60% L-linalool ester, mainly linalyl acetate, 20-35% linalool, furthermore beta-ocimene, camphor, geraniol, coumarin, borneol, etyhl-n-amyl ketone, alpha-pinene, cineol, citronellol, furfural.

Its medicinal use is based on its antiseptic, sedative, choleretic and spasmolytic effects. Lavender oil is therefore used as an ingredient in rheumatism, wound and healing ointments, cough medicines, gargle solutions, foot baths, compresses, sleeping pills, etc. An antibacterial effect has been experimentally proven, so lavender oil is also suitable for disinfection, both in the bathroom and for the disinfecting cleaning of objects and rooms. At the same time, lavender oil reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and prolongs the duration of sleep, in geriatric patients to the same extent as benzodiazepines!

Lavender acts directly on the limbic system: influencing the activity of neurotransmitters and stress hormones.

Disinfection of bacteria (Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, E. coli, Listeria) and fungi (especially Candida albicans). Against bacteria: concentration 0.5-2g/ml, against fungi 2-4 g/ml.

Official (this is a monograph according to HPMC, not Commission E): functional circulatory disorders, sleep disturbances, functional dyspepsia, meteorism, Roemheld syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome. Depressive moods.
Traditional (not monographed) indications: to be drizzled on pillows to calm children, widely used in the cosmetic industry, as a repellent.

Do not use during pregnancy and lactation due to lack of data.

note the estrogenic effect of lavender - - premature breast growth in children.

In infants and small children, laryngospasm and respiratory arrest may occur when inhaling lavender scent.

Preparations: As Lavandulae spirit, Unguentum aromaticum, Mixtura oleosa-balsalmica doses
:

• Internal: Persons > 12 years; Daily dose: 20-80mg essential oil
• external: 1,0-3,0 g oil as bath additive 1x daily bath
  

In case of hypersensitivity to the active ingredients (see also under lavender real).
Children and adolescents < 12 years. Note: In infants and young children, laryngospasm and respiratory arrest may occur when lavender fragrance is inhaled.

Pregnancy and lactation: no studies on safety.

^{Cefarheumin®} ointment, Gerner Nervinum N, ^{Kytta-Plasma®}, ^{Kytta-Salbe®}, lavender oil from various manufacturers

The strong disinfectant effect of lavender oil can also be used in cleaning water. As a side effect, the consumption of sleeping pills in retirement homes and clinics is reduced.

Inhibits the growth of staphylococci, salmonella, enterobacter, Klebsiella, pseudomonas, E. coli, listeria, fungi, especially Candida albicans.

Concentration against bacteria: 0.5-2g/ml, against fungi: 2-4 g/ml.

The best-known region for the production of high-quality lavender oils (for the cosmetics industry) is the south of France. Most lavender oil comes from Nice, Grasse, Monaco and Carpentras.

1. Amman HP et al. (2014) Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary. De Gruyter GmbH Berlin, Boston pp. 1043-1044
2. Behnam S et al.(2006) Composition and antifungal activity of essential oils of Mentha piperita and Lavendula angustifolia on post-harvest phytopathogens. Commun Agric Appl Biol Sci 71:1321-1326.
3. Fißler M et al. (2014) A case series on the use of lavendula oil capsules in patients suffering from major depressive disorder and symptoms of psychomotor agitation, insomnia and anxiety. Complement Ther Med 22:63-69.
4. Hagvall L et al. (2016) Patch Testing with Main Sensitizers Does Not Detect All Cases of Contact Allergy to Oxidized Lavender Oil. Acta Derm Venereol. 96:679-683.
5. Morris N (2002) The effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolium) baths on psychological well-being: two exploratory randomized control trials. Complement Ther Med 10:223-228.
6. Xu F et al. (2008) Pharmaco-physio-psychologic effect of Ayurvedic oil-dripping treatment using an essential oil from Lavandula angustifolia. J Altern Complement Med 14:947-956.
7. Ramsey JT et al. (2019) Lavender Products Associated With Premature Thelarche and Prepubertal Gynecomastia: Case Reports and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Activities. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 104: Pages 5393-5405
8. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/lavender.php
9. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-lavandula-angustifolia-miller-aetheroleum_en.pdf
10. https://www.deutsche-apotheker-zeitung.de/news/artikel/2019/10/29/lavendel

11. Koyama H et al. (2017) "Effects of lavender aroma on sleep quality in healthy Japanese students." Perceptual and Motor Skills, 124:111-127. DOI: 10.1177/0031512516678323