Lavender is a versatile and popular herb that has been used for centuries for its many magical and medicinal properties. It is known for its beautiful purple flowers and its calming and soothing scent. Lavender has been used in various forms, including essential oils, dried flowers, and tinctures, to enhance spiritual practices, promote relaxation, and attract positive energies. One of the magical uses of lavender is in spellwork and rituals. It is believed that lavender can enhance the power and effectiveness of spells and rituals, particularly those related to love, protection, and purification. Lavender can be used in spell bags, sachets, or incense blends to draw in love, promote peace and serenity, and ward off negative energies.
Lavender can be used in spell bags, sachets, or incense blends to draw in love, promote peace and serenity, and ward off negative energies. It is also said to help in dreamwork and divination, increasing intuition and psychic abilities. Another magical use of lavender is in cleansing and purification rituals.
What are the health benefits and risks of lavender?
Lavender is an herb native to northern Africa and the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean. Medicinal uses may include helping with mood, anxiety, and depression.
Lavender is also grown for the production of its essential oil, which comes from the distillation of the flower spikes of certain lavender species.
The oil has cosmetic uses, and it is believed to have some medicinal uses.
Lavender essential oil, in contrast to the plant form, is toxic when swallowed.
Fast facts on lavender
- Lavender is grown in northern Africa and the Mediterranean mountains, often for extraction of its essential oils.
- The medicinal benefits of using lavender to treat anxiety, fungal infections, hair loss, and wounds have been demonstrated.
- Evidence does not yet support the use of lavender to treat depression, high blood pressure, nausea, menstrual pain, or eczema, among other conditions.
- Lavender is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and should not be taken in place of approved and prescribed medicines.
Share on Pinterest Lavender can be distilled into an essential oil, and has a range of medical applications.
The herb is highly regarded for skin and beauty and is commonly used in fragrances and shampoos to help purify the skin. It can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) from drugstores, and some versions are used to add flavor to baked goods and foods.
There are also many medicinal properties associated with lavender.
Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to heal minor burns and bug bites.
Research suggests that it may be useful for treating anxiety, insomnia, depression, and restlessness.
Some studies suggest that consuming lavender as a tea can help digestive issues such as vomiting, nausea, intestinal gas, upset stomach, and abdominal swelling.
In addition to helping with digestive problems, lavender is used to help relieve pain from headaches, sprains, toothaches, and sores. It can also be used to prevent hair loss.
Fungal infections
A study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology found that lavender oil could be effective in combating antifungal-resistant infections.
The researchers found that the oil was lethal to a range of strains that can cause disease in the skin.
In the study, the essential oils distilled from the Lavandula genus of the lavender plant seemed to work by destroying the membranes of fungal cells.
The study showed that Lavandula oil is potent and demonstrates antifungal activity on a wide spectrum.
Wound healing
A study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine compared the effects of several treatments for wound healing.
The researchers compared the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), saline solution, povidone-iodine, and lavender oil. These were applied to laboratory rats.
The study authors noted that wounds closed faster in the TENS and lavender oil groups than the control groups. These findings suggest that lavender has an acceleratory effect on wound healing.
Hair loss
Lavender is possibly effective for treating alopecia areata. This is a condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body.
Research from 1998 shows that lavender can promote hair growth by up to 44 percent after 7 months of treatment.
In a more recent study , researchers found that applying lavender oil to the backs of mice helped to promote hair growth over the course of 4 weeks.
Anxiety disorder and related conditions
Share on Pinterest Lavender scents have been shown to reduce anxiety before a dental appointment.A review article in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice evaluates how effective Silexan might be for patients with different anxiety disorders. Silexan is a lavender-oil preparation available in 80-milligram (mg) gelatine capsules.
The team found that Silexan had an anxiolytic, or anxiety-reducing, effect on patients with generalized or subsyndromal anxiety within 2 weeks.
Researchers have also found that lavender scent may help anxious dental patients.
The investigators measured the dental anxiety levels of 340 adult patients during their wait at the dentist’s waiting room for their appointment.
Half the patients were exposed to lavender scent, while the other half were not.
The team found that those exposed to lavender scent reported lower levels of anxiety compared to the other patients. The calming effect of lavender was present regardless of the type of scheduled dental appointment.
Kritsidima, who conducted the study, concluded:
“ Our findings suggest that lavender could certainly be used as an effective ‘on-the-spot’ anxiety reduction in dentists’ waiting rooms.”
Dr. M. Kritsidima, study author
Lavender does not seem to impact anxiety about future dental visits. However, it has been shown to provide a sense of calm while attending a treatment.
Post-tonsillectomy pain in children
Lavender oil has been shown to reduce the amount of painkilling medicine required after a tonsillectomy.
A team of researchers at the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, carried out a study to determine whether aromatherapy with Lavandula angustifolia essential oil might reduce symptoms of pain in children after the removal of the tonsils.
The study included 48 children aged 6 to 12 years. They were randomly separated into two groups of 24 participants. One group took painkillers alongside lavender, and the other took only painkillers.
The frequency of each child’s acetaminophen use and nocturnal awakening due to pain was monitored for 3 days after surgery. Pain intensity was also measured. Acetaminophen is also known as Tylenol or paracetamol, and the group using lavender oil was shown to use acetaminophens less frequently.
However, there was no significant difference in how often they woke up at night or their perceptions of pain intensity.
Due to the small sample size, more research is required to fully confirm lavender oil as an effective painkiller.
Premenstrual emotional symptoms
Researchers have also studied whether lavender might help to alleviate premenstrual emotional symptoms.
Many women of reproductive age experience a range of symptoms in the premenstrual phase, commonly known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Even though PMS is common, no single treatment is universally recognized as effective. As a result, many women turn to alternative therapies, such as aromatherapy.
This crossover study involved 17 women, aged on average 20.6 years, with mild-to-moderate premenstrual symptoms. The participants spent one menstrual cycle with no lavender aromatherapy treatment, and another undergoing lavender aromatherapy.
The study concluded that lavender aromatherapy could alleviate premenstrual emotional symptoms.
What does lavender not treat?
There is insufficient evidence to rate lavender’s effectiveness for treating:
- depression
- colic in infants
- constipation
- nausea and vomiting
- migraines
- otitis, or ear infection
- high blood pressure
- menstrual pain
- eczema
- cancer-related pain
- dementia
- lice
One study found that lavender fragrance could have a beneficial effect on insomnia and depression in female college students. However, the authors highlighted that “repeated studies are needed to confirm effective proportions of lavender oil and carrier oil for insomnia and depression.”
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved lavender for medicinal use. It is sold as a supplement only and should not replace any prescribed course of treatment.
If you choose to use this essential oil, the FDA does not monitor these products. There may be concerns about purity, safety, or quality. Only purchase essential oils from reputable companies.
Eventually, the Romans changed the name from Asarum to Lavandula, which comes from the Latin word “lavare” which means to wash, although it could just as well come from “livendulo” meaning livid or blueish.
It is believed that burning dried lavender or using lavender essential oil in a diffuser can cleanse a space of negative energies and promote a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere. Lavender can also be used in spiritual baths or added to floor washes to purify and protect the home. Additionally, lavender can be used in rituals or spells to banish negativity or to release emotional and psychic baggage. Lavender is often associated with relaxation and stress relief, and its magical properties align with these qualities. It is believed that using lavender in rituals or spells can help calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional well-being. Lavender can be used in meditation or as an aid to sleep, helping to quiet the mind and create a peaceful and serene environment. Its gentle energy is often used to promote self-love, healing, and emotional balance. In addition to its magical properties, lavender also has a wide range of medicinal uses. It is known for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties, making it a popular herb in natural remedies. Lavender is often used to treat skin conditions, such as acne, burns, and insect bites. It can also be used to relieve headaches, muscle pains, and anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, lavender is a natural insect repellent and can be used to deter pests or soothe bites and stings. Overall, lavender is a powerful and versatile herb that can be used in various magical and medicinal practices. Its soothing and calming properties make it a popular choice for relaxation, purification, and attracting positive energies. Whether used in spellwork, rituals, or natural remedies, lavender remains a beloved herb with a long history of magical and healing uses..
Reviews for "Magical Uses of Lavender for Spiritual and Emotional Healing"
- Jane Doe - 1 star
I really did not enjoy "Magical Uses of Lavender". The plot was completely predictable and the characters were very one-dimensional. I found myself rolling my eyes at the cliched dialogue and the lack of depth in the storyline. The writing style was also quite dull and unengaging. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and would not recommend it to others.
- John Smith - 2 stars
While "Magical Uses of Lavender" had an interesting premise, it failed to deliver on many fronts. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story. The main character lacked any real development, and the romance felt forced and unnatural. Additionally, the magical elements of the story were not fully explored or explained, leaving me confused and frustrated. Overall, I felt let down by this book and would not read it again.
- Emily Johnson - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Magical Uses of Lavender", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The writing seemed amateurish, with clunky sentences and awkward phrasing. The dialogue was unrealistic and lacked authenticity. I also found the plot to be quite predictable and lacking in originality. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it to others.