Lavendula angustifolia
(Lavender)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial against:
  
  Diphtheria
  Pneumococcus
  Streptococcus
  Typhoid bacilli
• CNS depressive activity in animal studies
• Spasmolytic
• Stimulates the diencephalon, causing relaxation of autonomic function

Clinical Indications:

• Attention deficit disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Headaches related to stress
• Insomnia
• Chest infections, use in steam inhalation
• Insect stings, use topically
• Insomnia
• Rheumatic pain, use topically

Contraindications:

• Pregnancy due to the emmenagogue effects

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Limited data

Chemical Constituents:

• Coumarins:
  
  Coumarin
  Dihydrocoumarin
  Herniarin
  Umbelliferone
• Luteolin, a flavonoid
• Ursolic acid, a triterpene
• Volatile oil:
  
  4-Butanolide
  5-Pentyl-5-pentanolide
  Borneol
  Cadinene
  Camphor
  Caryophyllene
  Lavandulyl acetate
  Limonene
  Linalool
  Linalyl acetate

Toxicity:

• No known toxicity

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).