Common Names: lavender, English lavender, common lavender, French lavender
Family name: Lamiaceae
Part(s) of the plant used: most commonly used parts are the leaves, petals, and flowering tips. Essential oil is also made from the fragrant flowers.
Native region and environment: lavender can be found in “dry grassy slopes amongst rocks, in exposed, usually parched, hot rocky situations often on calcareous soils.”[1] Its native range is across Europe and the Mediterranean.
This lavender monograph provides basic information about lavender—common names, usefulness and safety, and resources for more information. Browse more herbal monographs.
Lavender has a long and storied history of use in both Spain and Morocco. One of the most famous physician-botanists, from Islamic history, Ibn al-Baytar wrote about its use in the early 1200s. Lavender has been used for traumatic injuries, nervous system, mental illness, rheumatism, and cough/cold systems.[2] Lavender was also being used in medieval Europe as one of the ingredients of the ‘Four Thieves’ Vinegar’ to protect against the plague. It was one of the first garden plants brought to the new world by early English settlers. Lavender can be used “to dry up the moisture of a cold braine”, where it is “especially good use for all griefes and paines of the head and brain.”[3] Pliny the elder, the famous monk, mentioned that Lavandulastoechas was used in powdered form for coughs, sciatica, and vertebrae pain. During the Civil War, a simple oil of Lavandula was used for dressing wounds of soldiers. The flowers of Lavandulastoechas were used medicinally until about the middle of the eighteenth century when it fell out of use.
Lavender constituents & diabetes
Although it is not typically listed as an antidiabetic or hypoglycemic herb, lavender is a great herb friend for people living with T2DM. Lavender contains phytochemicals such as monoterpene essential oils, tannins, coumarins, and flavonoids which influence the body in a number of ways. According to Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical Database there are more than 81 active phytochemicals found in Lavandulaspp![4] The monoterpenes (linalool, linalyl acetate, and camphor) give us that wonderful lavender scent and are often expressed in aromatherapy. Due to the high level of monoterpene alcohols in the essential oil, caution should be used with direct contact of the essential oil to skin.
There are several in vitro and in vivo (in diabetic rats) studies which demonstrate antidiabetic effects and moderation of blood sugar levels[5]. Lavender is also wonderful companion herb for its sedative and stress-reduction properties. It can be used as a sleep aide which is incredibly important for those managing their health with diabetes. Finally, lavender can be added to pain relief formulas which may be helpful for people suffering from painful diabetic neuropathy.
Flavonoids found in lavender, like luteolin, have the ability to induce human protective enzyme systems which provide protective effects against many infectious bacterial and viral diseases and degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and other age-related issues. One in vitro study concluded that the “oxygen containing monoterpenes” were responsible for disrupting and killing the fungus Candida albicans.[6]
Lavender Preparation & Dosing *
*Always check with your doctor before taking any alternative therapy.
Dried lavender flower buds and essential oil are readily available at many local stores. If you are interested in working with a tincture of lavender, I would recommend you buy this product from a trusted supplier like Mountain Rose Herbs.
Daily Dosage Table: Lavender[8]
Format
Dosage
Preparation
Infusion
1.5g
Steep dried flowers in 8oz boiling water for 10 minutes
With a safety rating of 1 and interaction class A, lavender is generally a safe herb to take—even for children and pregnant women. One hundred and fifty years ago, it was known as “the child’s stimulant.”[7] The American Herbal Product Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook (2nd ed.) lists no contraindications, other precautions, or drug-herb interactions; as also reported in the monograph on lavender oil published by the European Medicines Agency. They both note that there is a risk of allergic reaction through contact dermatitis in rare cases. Because it is considered safe, it is ok for long-term use.
Potential Drug Interactions
None reported.
Lavender WildCrafting
13 DIY Lavender Projects
Lavender is found in “dry grassy slopes amongst rocks, in exposed, usually parched, hot rocky situations often on calcareous soils” (Plants for a Future, 2017). Lavender blooms in mid summer, depending on location. Its best to pick lavender when the buds are just starting to open, before the bees have done their business! The square stalks are best cut close to the base. Lavender is typically dried out before you process it in any way. Hang the stalks upside down for 2-4 weeks until the stalk snaps when bent. You can hang inside of a paper bag, to catch the flower buds that easily fall out.
One fun thing that you can make with fresh lavender flowers is lavender honey! Simply rough chop the flowers into a glass mason jar. Cover with good quality organic honey. Store in a cool, dark place for 4+ weeks. Shake jar occasionally and strain before using.
[1] Plants for a Future, 2017
[1] El-Gharbaoui ,A., Benítez G., González-Tejero, M.R., Molero-Mesa, J., Merzouki, A. (2017) Comparison of Lamiaceae medicinal uses in eastern Morocco and eastern Andalusia and in Ibn al-Baytar’s Compendium of Simple Medicaments (13th century CE). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 202, 208–224.
[2] Rohde, Eleanour Sinclair (1922) Old English herbals, para. 112. Retrieved January 28, 2018 from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/33654/33654-h/33654-h.htm#FNanchor_112_112
[4] https://phytochem.nal.usda.gov/phytochem/search
[5] Sebai H, Selmi S, Rtibi K, Souli A, Gharbi N, Sakly M. Lavender (Lavandula stoechas L.) essential oils attenuate hyperglycemia and protect against oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Lipids Health Dis. 2013 Dec 28;12:189. doi: 10.1186/1476-511X-12-189. PMID: 24373672; PMCID: PMC3880178.
[6] Di Sotto A, Mazzanti G, Carbone F, Hrelia P, & Maffei F. (2011) Genotoxicity of lavender oil, linalyl acetate, and linalool on human lymphocytes in vitro. Environ Mol Mutagen. 52(1):69-71.doi: 10.1002/em.20587.
[7] Scudder, (1870) Specific medication and specific medicines. Cincinnati, OH: Wilstach, Baldwin& Co. Retrieved on Feb 7, 2017 from https://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/specmed/lavandula.html
[8] Braun & Cohen (2015) Herbs & Natural Supplements Vol 2. , Elsevier, Sydney Australia
[9] https://journals.lww.com/hnpjournal/Abstract/2009/01000/Lavandula_Angustifolia_Miller__English_Lavender.9.aspx
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PubMed Articles About
Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)[Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; [1988] – [cited 2018 Apr 5]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
To conduct an ethnobotanical survey and document the traditional anticancer and antidiabetic plants used by the local tribes of Mizoram, Northeast India.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with the progression of cognitive dysfunction. Physical activity benefits cognition, but no evidence from randomized clinical trials has shown whether tai chi chuan has better long-term benefits than fitness walking in cognitive function for patients with T2D and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for >90% of the cases of diabetes in adults. Resistance to insulin action is the major cause that leads to chronic hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. T2DM is the consequence of activation of multiple pathways and factors involved in insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction. Also, the etiology of T2DM involves the complex interplay between genetics and environmental factors. This interplay can be governed efficiently by lifestyle modifications to achieve better management of diabetes. The present review aims at discussing the major factors involved in the development of T2DM that remain unfocussed during the anti-diabetic therapy. The review also focuses on lifestyle modifications that are warranted for the successful management of T2DM. In addition, it attempts to explain flaws in current strategies to combat diabetes. The employability of phytoconstituents as multitargeting molecules and their potential use as effective therapeutic adjuvants to first line hypoglycemic agents to prevent side effects caused by the synthetic drugs are also discussed.
Obesity and diabetes are closely related metabolic disorders that have become major public health concerns worldwide. Over the past few decades, numerous studies have explored the underlying mechanisms of these disorders and identified various risk factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and dietary habits. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been increasingly recognized for its potential to manage obesity and diabetes. Weight loss is difficult to sustain, and several diabetic therapies, such as sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, and insulin, might make it harder to lose weight. While lifestyle changes should be the primary approach for people interested in lowering weight, drugs are also worth investigating. Since some of the newer glucose-lowering medications that cause weight loss, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), are additionally utilized or are under consideration for use as anti-obesity drugs, the frontier between glucose-lowering medication and weight loss drugs appears to be shifting. This review provides an overview of the literature on the underlying mechanisms of obesity and diabetes and the prospect of TCM in their management. We discuss the various TCM interventions, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy, and their effects on metabolic health. We also highlight the potential of TCM in regulating gut microbiota, reducing inflammation, and improving insulin sensitivity. The findings suggest that TCM may provide a promising approach to preventing and managing obesity and diabetes. However, further well-designed studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of TCM interventions and to elucidate their underlying mechanisms of action.
Plant-derived phytochemicals have been interested in as nutraceuticals for preventing the onset and progress of diabetes mellitus and its serious complications in recent years. Lam. is used in vegetables and in herbal medicine for its health-promoting properties against various diseases including diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to examine an effect of on diabetic hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia by meta-analyzing the current evidence of diabetic rodent models. Peer-reviewed studies written in English from two databases, PubMed and Embase, were searched to 30 April 2021. Studies reporting blood glucose or lipid levels in diabetic rodents with and without receiving extracts of were included. Forty-four studies enrolling 349 diabetic rodents treated with extracts of and 350 diabetic controls reported blood glucose levels. The pooled effect size was -3.92 (95% CI: -4.65 to -3.19) with a substantial heterogeneity. This effect was likely to be, at least in part, modified by the type of diabetic models. Moreover, diabetic hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia were also significantly improved in diabetic rodent models treated with .
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PubMed Articles About
Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)[Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; [1988] – [cited 2018 Apr 5]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
