Most people use oils with lavender in them not only for the nice smell, but also for the stress-reducing effect that the plant is said to have. In addition, lavender is a popular ingredient in alternative medicine. This raises the question: does lavender really work so well against stress?
Lavender as medicine
The purple flower has been used for many years to combat anxiety disorders and stress. That is not surprising, because many scientists confirm the suspicion that lavender has a stress-reducing effect. According to researchers at The Mental Health Clinician, the great benefit of the plant is that its scent is calming, but not numbing. Because of this, psychologists and other doctors like to use it on patients who experience anxiety or stress. Other research confirms this and adds that lavender also works well against sleepless nights, nervousness and depressed feelings. The reason behind it? Lavender has an effect on the nervous system, which lowers the heart rate, among other things. That lavender is a good remedy for stress therefore seems to be an absolute fact and not a fable.
Varieties of lavender
Lavender can be absorbed by several senses. The best known is by smelling, for example through aromatherapy. According to traditional Japanese medicine, it is the easiest way to experience the health benefits of lavender. Another way to let the plant do its job is to make a tea or use essential oils on the skin. Which way works best for you depends on your complaints. But one thing is certain: science also recognizes the benefits of lavender.
Bron: Healthline, Medical News Today