lavender

General

Complementary/Alternative Medicine: This monograph describes a natural or herbal product that is not subject to FDA guidelines for medicines. Patients and clinicians are advised to read package labels carefully to ensure safe and efficacious use.

Pronunciation:
lav-uhn-der

Trade Name(s)

• Lavandula angustifolia
• alhucema

Ther. Class.

hair regrowth stimulants

antidepressants

Common Uses

• Alopecia areata.
• Depression.
• Insomnia.

Action

Lavender decreases EEG potentials and decreases alertness and seems to induce relaxation and sedation. Lavender's stimulant effect on hair growth is not fully understood.

Therapeutic Effect(s):

• Improved hair growth.
• Improved sleep.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Unknown

Distribution: Unknown

Metabolism and Excretion: Unknown

Half-life: Unknown

TIME/ACTION PROFILE

Contraindication/Precautions

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity.
• Pregnancy.

Use Cautiously in:

• Children (topical use in prepubertal boys may result in gynecomastia).
• Discontinue use 2 wk prior to elective surgical procedures (additive CNS depressant effects with anesthetic agents).

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Derm: dermatitis (with topical use)

Endo: gynecomastia (with topical use in prepubertal boys)

GI: constipation, increased appetite

Neuro: headache

* CAPITALS indicate life-threatening.
Underline indicate most frequent.

Interactions

Natural Drug Interaction

Lavender can potentiate the therapeutics effects of  barbiturates, and CNS depressants..

Natural-Natural:

None.

Route/Dosage

PO (Adults):  Depression –60 drops/day tincture of lavender (1:5 in 50% alcohol) for 4 weeks.

Topical (Adults): Alopecia areata: 3 drops (108 mg) of lavender oil.

Inhaln (Adults): Insomnia: vaporized lavender oil has been used as aromatherapy.

Availability

Dried flower
Essential oil

Assessment

• Assess mood and sleep pattern periodically during therapy.

Lab Test Considerations:

Monitor lipid levels and coagulation panel periodically during therapy.

Implementation

• PO Diluted tincture may be taken in alcohol or tea.
• Topical  Combine with other essential oils and massage into scalp nightly for 2 minutes with a warm towel around head to increase absorption.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Instruct patient to dilute and take as directed. Undiluted essential oil of lavender may be poisonous if taken by mouth.
• Instruct patient in correct technique for use for alopecia.
• Advise female patient to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

• Improvement in sleep pattern and mood.
• Reduction of alopecia.