Lavender Oil: Nature’s Soothing Herb. Julia Lawless

that its vapour destroyed pneumococcus and haemolytic streptococcus in 12–24 hours. He also found that lavender essence killed the tuberculosis bacillus at a strength of 0.2 per cent, the Eberth’s bacillus (typhoid) and staphylococcus at 4.5 per cent, and Loeffler’s bacillus (diphtheria) at 5 per cent.² Valnet recommended the administering of vaporized lavender oil in a 2 per cent solution for disinfecting sick rooms, clinics and operating theatres; he also expounded upon the anti-toxic, pesticidal, antispasmodic, sedative and emmenagogic properties of lavender.

      But it was the French perfumer, René-Maurice Gattefossé (1881–1950) who did the most to draw attention to the potential of lavender oil during this period. Through his research work, Gattefossé had become increasingly fascinated by the numerous essential oil preparations used by the peasants and natives as folk remedies. The value of their traditional knowledge was validated when Gattefossé suffered serious burns to his hands in a laboratory explosion and found that simply by applying dressings of pure lavender oil, he was able successfully to heal the wound in a short period of time, and prevent scarring. After this encouraging result he devoted much of his time to exploring and promoting the therapeutic use of aromatics. In 1932 he published a paper in the journal Parfum Modern specifically on the antiseptic role of lavender, and in 1937 he published his two main works, Aromathérapie and Antiseptiques Essentiales. These books had a profound impact on the scientific establishment regarding the medical use of essential oils in general, and it is from Gattefossé that the modern term ‘Aromatherapy’ originated.

      In Aromathérapie, Gattefossé cites numerous case histories involving a variety of conditions including battle injuries, burns, varicose ulcers, venereal sores, gangrene and atonic wounds which were treated almost exclusively with pure lavender oil (or in a solution), with excellent results. He concludes:

       In all cases the following is noted: rapid disappearance of pus; decrease in the number of bacteria; powerful stimulation of healing; recovery in a very short time. It is as though the physiological matter receives an added dynamism causing the pathological phenomena to abate immediately.³

      The work of Gattefossé was taken up by Marguerite Maury (1895–1968) in France after the Second World War. Mme Maury was a dedicated and inspired woman who did much to establish the reputation of aromatherapy. She set up the first aromatherapy clinics in Paris, Britain and Switzerland and was awarded two international prizes (in 1962 and 1967 respectively) for her studies on essential oils and cosmetology. In her research work she focused on the rejuvenating properties of essential oils, the results of which were published in English as The Secret of Life and Youth (1964). From her writing it is clear that she valued lavender primarily as a skin care agent and a ‘restorer of balance’, but also as a nerve tonic:

       In cases of great exhaustion, of fatigue caused by physical effort, or excessive barometric changes, a friction with pure lavender essences without spirits works wonders.⁴

      Mme Maury also emphasized the psychological impact of fragrance and the importance of choosing the correct oils for each patient so as to make a personalized blend or ‘individual prescription’. Her work in many ways set the tone for aromatherapy as it developed in the UK, not only as a beauty therapy with its emphasis on skin care, but also as a treatment for stress and nervous/emotional disorders.

      For in Britain, unlike France, aromatic oils are used principally by ‘complementary’ practitioners – notably by aromatherapists – and increasingly by nurses working in hospital wards. This helps to explain why the majority of ‘field’ studies carried out in the UK have been undertaken by independent researchers or by nurses, rather than by medical doctors as in France. Such studies have tended to concentrate on the nervine, analgesic and sedative properties of lavender oil, applied externally through massage, baths or simply by inhalation.

      Lavender is an oil which has undergone a considerable amount of research in the past few years, and is in fact the most frequently used essential oil in hospitals in the UK today:

      1988

      – In one Oxford hospital, lavender oil has been used for a number of years to help patients sleep at night, either by giving them a lavender bath or by sprinkling a little oil on their bedclothes. Lavender has also been used to enhance analgesia (pain-relief) in cases of arthritis, muscular tension and muscle spasm. One patient who had an amputation below the knee enjoyed almost complete relief from pain for 90 minutes after being massaged on his upper leg with diluted lavender oil. In addition, the scent of lavender was found to help patients relax before surgery and prolong the effect of any pre-operative medication.

       Here is clinical evidence that essential oils can potentiate the effects of sedative drugs, so by using both together the same effect can be achieved with a lower dose.⁵

      1989

      – The neurodepressive effects of lavender oil have been backed up by experimental research tests in the laboratory. In one study, lavender oil was diluted to 1 part in 60 with olive oil and then given orally to mice. The mice were then required to perform a number of tests; sedative effects were observed. It was also found that a significant interaction existed with pentabarbital, in that sleeping time was increased and wakefulness reduced.⁶

       Lavender oil has also exhibited CNS-depressive activities on experimental animals (e.g. mice). Such activities include anticonvulsive effects, inhibition of the spontaneous motor activity, and the initiation of the narcotic effects of chloral hydrate.⁷

      1991

      – In another study carried out at the Old Manor Hospital in Salisbury, England, Mark Hardy RMN conducted an experiment to assess the effects of lavender oil on the sleeping patterns of elderly mentally ill patients, in place of their usual medication. In these initial tests he used a vortex air freshener to vaporize the lavender oil into the wards at night, with excellent results:

       Residents exhibited less restlessness during the night, their sleep was deeper and so they were not being awakened while staff made their rounds, there were fewer periods of simple insomnia and the mood of residents on waking was more pleasant … There was even a slight increase in the hours of sleep obtained using lavender oil as opposed to night medication.⁸

      1991

      – Further evidence of the sedative effects of lavender oil after inhalation was demonstrated by a test carried out under standardized experimental conditions, in which mice were subjected to the scent of lavender oil. Results showed a significant decrease in motility, and hyperactivity induced by a caffeine injection was also reduced almost to normal.⁹

       It was concluded that the aromatherapeutical use of lavender was proven, in that the oil (by its sedative effect caused by pharmacological efficacy on the brain) could facilitate sleep and minimize stressful situations.¹⁰

      1992

      – In a study carried out at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, patients in intensive and coronary care were given a 20-minute foot massage using lavender oil (in an almond oil base) after receiving physiotherapy. Pain levels, wakefulness, heart rate and systolic blood-pressure were measured before and after treatment, then compared with two control groups – one group which received a massage using just almond oil, and another which simply had a ‘rest period’. Results showed that the ‘aromatherapy group’ enjoyed the greatest reduction in pain, wakefulness and blood-pressure – with 91 per cent of patients experiencing a reduction in heart rate of between 11 and 15 beats per minute.¹¹