LAVENDER: A BLEND OF BEAUTY & BENEFITS

 

Lavender flowers

Lavender or English Lavender, botanically known as Lavandula angustifolia (previously Lavandula officinalis), is an evergreen perennial plant belonging to the family Lamiaceae of flowering plants. It is native to the mountainous area of Mediterranean region where it grows on sunny slopes. It is cultivated throughout the world in cooler regions as an ornamental plant for its pinkish-purple-coloured beautiful flowers or for the distillation of economically important essential oils that are used in perfumery and medicine.

A lavender feild in Bhaderwah in J&K

MORPHOLOGY

Lavender is an evergreen, sweetly aromatic and herbaceous perennial with a semi-woody growth habit. It can grow to a height of up to 1 metres under favourable conditions of the environment. The leaves measure 2-6 cm in length and 4-6 mm in width. They are light evergreen in colour and covered with whitish bloom. It usually flowers once in a year during the summer season. The flowers, which are pinkish-purple or lavender-coloured, are arranged on 2-8 cm long spikes present on 10–30 cm long leafless stems.

A lavender nursery raised by Sh. Rajat Raina in Bhaderwah in J&K

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Lavender is known for the essential oils it contains in abundance (0.8-2%). It contains more than 100 phytochemicals, which contribute to the physicochemical and biological properties of its essential oil. The phytochemical composition of the essential oil is determined by a plant genotype, environmental factors, cultivation practices and post-harvest processing. The major constituents are linalool, linalyl acetate and geraniol. Other constituents such as terpinene-4-ol, lavandulyl acetate, lavandulol, esters of butyric and valeric acids, sesquiterpene, and eucalyptol (1,8-cineol) are present in moderate quantities.

A beautiful landscape of lavender field

USES

1. USE IN PERFUMERY AND TOILETRY

Lavender oil is widely used in perfumes, deo-sprays, creams, room fresheners, talcum powders, shampoos, and soaps.

2. AS AN ORNAMENTAL

Lavender can be cultivated as an ornamental plant in cooler areas for its beautiful pinkish-purple-coloured flowers present in compact spikes.

3. MEDICINAL USES

Dried lavender spikes ready for sale in the market

i. IMPROVES MOOD AND RELIEF IN INSOMNIA

Many scientific studies have shown that lavender’s aroma can improve mood. Aromatherapy (used in steam and inhaled) with essential oils of lavender has shown a positive effect on the quality of sleep as well.

ii. HELPFUL IN ANXIETY

Lavender essential oils have anxiety-alleviating effects on human beings when taken internally in low doses such as in tea or in other forms (infusion) and have the potential to treat depression.

Lavender essential oil (Photo source: essanciaonline.com)

iii. EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING HAIR LOSS

The use of lavender oil mixed with a carrier oil (coconut or other oils) is effective in promoting hair growth and controlling dandruff and hair fall. Topical use of lavender oil in alopecia areata was found to be quite effective in different experimental studies.

iv. USEFUL IN HEADACHES AND MIGRAINE

Lavender oil is reported to be useful in controlling headaches or migraine when inhaled or used as aromatherapy.

v. ANTI-MICROBIAL PROPERTIES

Lavender oil has anti-microbial properties. It can be used topically along with jojoba/almond oil for wound healing and curing acne.

vi. FOR TREATING BURNS

Lavender has long been used as a traditional treatment for burns and other skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, itching, etc.

vii. SOFTENS AND MOISTURIZES SKIN

Lavender oil mixed with jojoba/almond oil is an excellent moisturizer that softens the skin. It is reported to remove the age spots and wrinkles on the face. It can also be used as a lip balm.

viii. PROTECTION FROM HARMFUL OXIDIZING AGENTS 

Lavender oil when inhaled can induce the anti-oxidant enzyme system consisting of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. 

Young plants growing in a field in Bhaderwah

(NOTE: All the photographs used in this Blog on Lavender were provided by Sh. Rajat Raina from Bhaderwah in J&K. He can be contacted for guidance on lavender cultivation and for procuring planting material)