Medicinal, moth-repellent plant: the benefits of lavender
30/11/2023
Translation: machine translated
It's no coincidence that lavender was voted medicinal plant of the year in 2020: its virtues, long known in phytotherapy, have also been scientifically proven. Let me tell you more about its effects.
When I tell you "lavender", you probably think of a field of purple flowers or a little cloth bag lying around in the wardrobe; or even both. But this purple-flowered plant does more than just look pretty and keep moths away from clothes. It's one of the most important plants in aromatherapy and a staple of natural medicine. What's more, its positive effect on the body and mind has now been scientifically proven. In 2020, the interdisciplinary study group 'Entwicklungsgeschichte der Arzneipflanzenkunde' of the Institute for the History of Medicine at the Germandecine of the German University of Würzburg even named true lavender as medicinal plant of the year.
The shrub with a distinctive scent
The name lavender comes from the Latin "lavare". Indeed, in ancient Rome, this plant was already used to wash the body and clothes. In ancient times, it grew in the Mediterranean basin. These plants prefer sunny locations with dry, nutrient-poor soil. In the 11th century AD, Benedictine monks brought the first plants back to more northerly regions, where lavender began to grow thanks to its resistance. Today, it is also a much-loved garden plant in our own back yard. Its fragrance attracts bees and butterflies, as well as warding off wasps and other insects.
Different types, different benefits
The "lavender" genus includes several dozen species, the best known of which is certainly true lavender (lavandula angustifolia). As well as adorning the garden, lavender exists in other forms. The essential oil of different species of lavender is used as a calming and relaxing agent in the form of room sprays, scented oils or candles. But it's important to choose the right species of lavender, otherwise a simple sleep aid could well turn into a stimulant.
In fact, unlike true lavender, lavender aspic (Lavandula latifolia) and lavandin (lavandula hybrida super) have very different properties. Thanks to its higher camphor content, its essential oil has an invigorating and stimulating effect. It is therefore more suitable for invigorating massages than for relaxation, for example.
True lavender against restlessness and sleep disorders
True lavender, as studies have shown, has a calming effect on the nervous system. Its essential oil can promote the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps you relax. Lavender can also relieve people suffering from anxiety disorders, as a study has shown. Compared with the placebo group, inhalation of lavender essential oil significantly improved symptoms in both participants.
This soothing effect also extended to sleep. A randomised controlled study published in the Journal of Sleep Research found that lavender essential oil sustainably improved the quality of sleep in people suffering from insomnia.
One plant, many uses
Lavender therefore has a lot to offer. If you have a garden or balcony, don't hesitate to plant these pretty plants. Their scent keeps pests away, and attracts bees and butterflies. You can harvest the flowers, dry them and use them as scented decorations or, as in our grandmothers' time, put them in fabric sachets and slip them into your wardrobe to keep moths away from your clothes.
Headline photo: Kelly Rabie/Pexels
Science editor and biologist. I love animals and am fascinated by plants, their abilities and everything you can do with them. That's why my favourite place is always outside - somewhere in nature, preferably in my wild garden.