The smell of lavender is a popular one; in fact, the name “lavender” was derived from the Latin word “lapis” which means stone, suggesting something precious. This spice has been used by many civilizations for medicinal purposes and its popularity still continues now. But did you know that scientists have found a new use for this sweet smelling plant? They’ve discovered that drinking lavender tea can increase your lung capacity by as much as fifty percent, help slow down breathing and reduce inflammation due to its polyphenols and also lavender tea cake.
1. What Is Lavender?
Lavender is an evergreen plant that’s part of the mint family. It produces small purple flowers and its leaves smell sweet. It’s commonly used for cooking, aromatherapy, and in aromatherapy products. Lavender is also used to flavor foods like ice cream, candies, cakes and even chewing gum; but it can also be boiled with water to make tea as well as a lotion or oil to rub on your skin. There are two main species of lavender: English lavender and French lavender. The English variety is considered more potent in aroma while the French king has a more refreshing scent.
2. Lavender Tea
A study that was conducted by the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health discovered that drinking lavender tea increases lung capacity by up to fifty percent. Lavender water has a positive impact on breathing and can slow down breathing which relaxes the subject. The polyphenols in lavender are responsible for reducing inflammation as well as relieving pain, especially in the respiratory system.
3. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is a lot more potent than lavender water and it’s also more expensive because it contains a higher amount of oils, which are extracted from the flower stems through steam distillation or extraction with alcohol. Lavender oil is extracted through steam distillation, which results in a purer form of lavender extract with greater levels of therapeutic compounds. The oils are usually mixed with other oils such as sweet almond oil and this helps create a more potent aroma. Lavender oil can be used for aromatherapy purposes; but it can also be used to treat a variety of skin ailments like eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Because lavender is commonly used in cosmetics it’s also extremely popular for use as an anti-wrinkle cream.
4. Lavender Uses
Lavender has been used for a variety of different applications. It’s long been used in cooking and making herbal teas; but it’s also used in the perfume industry, cosmetics industry, and even in several household products since the oil of lavender has pleasant smelling properties. Lavender is also an effective insect repellent effective against mosquitoes, moths and ants. Growing lavender in your garden is a natural way to keep many bugs out of your garden. Furthermore, lavender oil can be mixed with vinegar to create a strong pesticide spray that can protect your flower beds and vegetable garden from aphids and other annoying pests that might destroy your hard work!
5. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy and it’s believed to have a variety of health benefits. It’s extremely popular for reducing stress and inducing calmness because the scent of lavender has been proven to help reduce cortisol levels. Lavender oil can be used to relieve cold and flu symptoms such as headaches, congestion, coughing and nasal congestion. Some people also recommend using lavender essential oil in place of conventional chemical air fresheners that can be found in many public restrooms. Lavender essential oil can also be used as a bug repellent when mixed with water or orange peel oil.
6. Lavender Diseases and Cancers
Since lavender oil is so potent and effective, it has been used in many studies to test its efficacy in treating cancer. The National Cancer Institute has conducted studies on how the chemicals found in lavender oil can be used to treat melanoma and other types of cancer. In a study conducted by the University of South Carolina, it was discovered that the terpenes in lavender are potent antioxidants that can protect DNA from oxidative damage, which may slow down or halt the growth of cancer cells. Another study done by the Department of Biochemistry at Texas A&M University found that lavender compounds were more effective against breast cancer than conventional chemotherapy drugs currently being used to fight this deadly disease.
7. Lavender for Pain
A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine suggests that lavender can be used to treat pain. This study examined the effects of using a cream containing lavender essential oil on painful joints in rats. In this case, rats that were given the lavender cream experienced significantly less pain and mobility loss. Another study performed by Franketics International shows how lavender oil can be used to alleviate the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
Summary:
Lavender is a sweet smelling plant that’s widely used in the aromatherapy industry and it’s also considered to be a natural pain reliever. It can be used to treat breathing issues and to reduce stress, and it has also been used as an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in humans. The oils of lavender are potent antioxidants that can slow down or halt the growth of cancer cells, and it’s also used to treat pain in humans as well as animals.
