“Surprising Uses for Lavender”

Soothe Wounds and Pain: You’ve probably never heard your doctor shout, “Quick, get the lavender!” But this purple flowering plant may be a powerful healer. One small study found that lavender essential oil relieved soreness and redness for women who had episiotomies, vaginal cuts made to deliver babies. Another study showed that inhaling lavender essence, aka aromatherapy, eased pain from C-section childbirths.

Stop Hair Loss: Massaging your scalp regularly with a mix of lavender oil and other herb essential oils may help slow hair loss from alopecia areata. This autoimmune disease, which can run in families, makes your body mistakenly attack your hair follicles. Research goes on to see if lavender oil might help hair grow, too. In one study, mice treated with lavender oil sprouted furrier coats.

Salt Substitute: Culinary lavender adds a clean sweetness to just about any dish. It also packs ursolic acid, a nutrient that may help fight cancer and burn more calories. Blend your own salt-free herbs de Provence seasoning with lavender, rosemary, thyme, fennel, chives, and other herbs.

Tame Your Tummy: Ancient Roman soldiers counted on lavender’s antibacterial powers to treat upset stomach and other illnesses. Some research suggests that the plant’s essential oil can help fight colitis, inflammation of the colon that can lead to pain and diarrhea. It may do this by helping fend off bad bacteria and protecting the infection-fighting strains. Try sprinkling dried culinary lavender on Greek yogurt.

Soak Up Toxins: It’s tender but tough. Lavender thrives in toxic places that would quickly kill less hardy plants. Its roots absorb heavy metals like lead and zinc and store them in their leaves. This can help clean and restore industrial sites and contaminated garden plots.

Freshen Your Floors: House cleaners in Medieval times sprinkled floors with this aromatic herb to refresh stale or sickly air. It still works great on modern carpets to quash bad odors and to fight bacteria. Make your own floor deodorizer with 8 drops of lavender oil to ½ cup of baking soda. Sprinkle it over your carpet, let it sit for a few minutes, and vacuum.

Rev Up Your Recall: What else can lavender do again? Oh, yes -- improve your memory. A recent study found that nursing students who took a sniff of lavender right before a test scored much higher than their peers. Those test takers retained more information, concentrated better, and were less anxious. The study also suggested college kids might find aromatherapy a cost-effective remedy.

Tamp Down Motion Sickness: You get this condition when your inner ear’s senses go at odds with how you see movement around you. That confusion can make you dizzy and nauseated. Lavender can counteract that by distracting you with your sense of smell. Add in other sensory treats like ginger candies (and a smart seat choice) for a smooth ride.

Calm a Fussy Baby: Is your newborn fussy and colicky? Lavender might save the day -- and maybe the night. In one study, moms of 40 infants between 2 and 6 weeks old massaged their babies’ tummies with 1 drop of lavender oil in 20 milliliters of almond oil. The massaged babies quieted down more quickly than others, and they cried less each week of the study.

Zap Lice: Looking for a natural, nontoxic remedy to quash these buggers? In a study, a lavender and tea tree oil treatment worked better than pyrethrin, a pesticide made from chrysanthemum flowers.

Chill Hot Flashes: Menopause happens when a woman stops having a monthly period, usually around her late 40s or early 50s. It can bring on hot flashes, sudden warm flushes that sweep over your body and put a wrench in your daily life. But women in a study who sniffed lavender for 20 minutes twice a week reported their flashes faded up to 50% more than women who did not use the lavender aromatherapy. 

Soap Stand-In: Not only does it smell nice, lavender fights bacteria. It’s an ideal ingredient for a DIY hand sanitizer.

Prevent Falls: Lavender can’t catch your fall, but it might help keep you from falling. Nursing home residents in Japan who wore lavender patches every day for a year fell less often than those who went scent-free. Researchers don’t know exactly why. But it could be that lavender helped soothe agitation and improved balance. However it works, it’s a pleasant way to sail through the day.

Jazz Up Your Laundry: Lavender is thought to come from the Latin word lavare, meaning “to wash.” No wonder it makes such a great deodorizer-freshener duo for your laundry. Add 4 drops of lavender oil to the water in your iron for a steamy scent. You can also put a few drops right into your washing machine. Or make your own fragrant dryer sheet with a few drops of lavender on a dry cloth. Toss it into the dryer with your wet laundry.

Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on August 17, 2018

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice: “Healing Advantages of Lavender Essential Oil During Episiotomy Recovery: A Clinical Trial.”

Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences: “Lavender Essence For Post-Cesarean Pain.”

Archives of Dermatology: “Randomized Trial of Aromatherapy. Successful Treatment for Alopecia Areata.”

Toxicological Research: “Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice.”

Food Science and Human Wellness: “Phytochemicals in Diets For Breast Cancer Prevention: The Importance of Resveratrol and Ursolic Acid.”

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: “Herbs de Provence Blend Recipe.”

Oregon Lavender Association: “Herbs de Provence.”

Herb Society of America: “Lavender Facts.”

American Journal of Physiology: Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology: “Medicinal Lavender Modulates the Enteric Microbiota to Protect Against Citrobacter Rodentium-induced Colitis.”

Virginia Mason Health System: “Colitis and Chronic Ulcerative Colitis.”

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology International Journal of Biological, Food, Veterinary and Agricultural Engineering: “Potential of Lavender (Lavandula vera L.) for Phytoremediation of Soils Contaminated with Heavy Metals.”

New Phytologist: “Heavy Metal Hyperaccumulators: Plants That Clean Up.”

Missouri Botanical Garden: “St. Louis Herb Society Garden.”

American College of Healthcare Sciences: “Green Cleaning: Why We Love Lavender Essential Oil (And You Should, Too!).”

Journal of Nursing & Care: “The Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy to Junior Nursing Students’ Anxiety, Concentration and Memory Retention.”

CDC: “Motion Sickness.”

International Journal of Nursing Practice: “The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy Massage Using Lavender Oil as a Treatment For Infantile Colic.”

Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine: “Chemical Composition of Rosmarinus and Lavandula Essential Oils and Their Insecticidal Effects on Orgyia trigotephras (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae).”

Colourage: “Fragrance Release and Moth Repellent Activity of Natural Essential Oils.”

Oregon Lavender Association: “Herbal Moth Sachets.”

BMC Dermatology: “A Randomised, Assessor Blind, Parallel Group Comparative Efficacy Trial of Three Products For the Treatment of Head Lice in Children -- Melaleuca Oil and Lavender Oil, Pyrethrins and Piperonyl Butoxide, and a ‘Suffocation’ Product.”

Extension Toxicology Network: “Pyrethrins.”

American Academy of Dermatology: “Head Lice.”

Cleveland Clinic: “Menopause, Perimenopause, and Postmenopause.”
Journal of the Chinese Medical Association: “Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on Menopause Hot Flushing: A Crossover Randomized Clinical Trial.”

Laboratory Animal Research: “Antibacterial Activity of Essential Oil From Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Against Pet Turtle-Borne Pathogenic Bacteria.”

Rodale’s Organic Life: “How To Make A Natural Hand Sanitizer With 3 Simple Ingredients.”

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society: “Fall Prevention Using Olfactory Stimulation With Lavender Odor in Elderly Nursing Home Residents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.”

HerbalGram: The Journal of the American Botanical Council: “Lavender Oil Aromatherapy Reduces Falls in Elderly Nursing Home Residents in Long-Term Trial.”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2Live

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk. 

“Apple Cider Vinegar Remedies: Do They Work?”

WHAT IS VINEGAR? It's made when bacteria feed on sugars and alcohol in fruit juices, wine, honey, and similar liquids. The result is an acetic acid solution that may have other nutrients, too. Apple cider vinegar starts with juice made from apples. There doesn't seem to be anything special about its health benefits, compared with other types of vinegar. Perhaps the milder flavor and smell have helped boost its reputation.

LOSE WEIGHT: In one study, overweight people who drank 1 or 2 ounces of vinegar (diluted with other liquid) lost weight at a slightly faster rate. And they lost belly fat. But there's no evidence that lots of vinegar will help you drop lots of pounds, or do it quickly.

LOWER BLOOD SUGAR: Vinegar can help someone with diabetes control the amount of glucose in their blood after a meal as well as their A1c, a measure of "average" blood sugar for the past few months. A couple of teaspoons in water or food at mealtime works best. High blood sugar over time can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, and blindness.

INSULIN CONTROL: Vinegar can also help keep insulin levels lower after you eat. Your cells need this hormone to take glucose from your blood to use for energy. But too much insulin released too often can make your body less sensitive to it -- a condition called insulin resistance that can lead to type 2 diabetes or make it worse.

FIGHTING GERMS: Apple cider vinegar -- any vinegar, really -- will kill some germs because of the acetic acid in it. It works best in your food -- to clean up bacteria lingering on your salad leaves, for example. It's not very good at disinfecting a cut or wound. And because it's an acid, there's a chance it could chemically burn delicate skin.

DANDRUFF: It's long been suggested -- for different reasons -- as a rinse to tame a flaking scalp. But there's no evidence to confirm that vinegar kills yeast bacteria or fungus, or that it removes shampoo residue or product buildup, or that it makes your scalp more acidic (or why you'd even want that). Stick to products made to treat dandruff, and follow the instructions. If the problem doesn't clear up, see a dermatologist.

LICE: Some people say vinegar is a good way to get rid of these little critters and their eggs. Science says otherwise. Even when tested against other home remedies -- rubbing alcohol, olive oil, mayonnaise, melted butter, petroleum jelly -- vinegar came in last. 

JELLYFISH STING: Yep! Tuck a bottle of vinegar into your beach bag. It stops the work of the special jellyfish cells (nematocysts) that deliver the venom -- the stuff that makes a sting hurt. When you get home, dunk the wound in hot water. That stops the venom itself from working. 

WHITEN TEETH: Vinegar may brighten your teeth, but it also wears away their enamel -- the thin, hard, outer layer of protection. In fact, wait for at least 30 minutes after you eat or drink diluted vinegar to brush your teeth. If your teeth are discolored, look for whitening toothpaste or products approved by the American Dental Association, or talk to your dentist.

HEALTHY GUT: That murky, thicker liquid that collects at the bottom of some vinegars, called the "mother," is made up of the fermenting bacteria and their harmless waste. Most brands warm vinegar to kill the bacteria before packaging, but mother can develop once air hits the product. Some say the mother gives vinegar more health benefits because the live bacteria act as "probiotics," but there's no scientific evidence yet.

HEMORRHOIDS: Is a little apple cider vinegar just the ticket for those painful, itchy bumps on your behind? Doctors say no. Even if it feels good in the short term, it can burn your skin and end up making your symptoms worse. Sitz baths and medication are better choices. See your doctor if you can't soothe the burning.

PROTECT YOUR CELLS: Polyphenols are chemical compounds in fruits, vegetables, wine, coffee, and chocolate. They're antioxidants, which protect your cells from damage linked to cancer and other disease. There's no reason to think the polyphenols in apple cider vinegar can't be just as helpful, but we need more studies to be sure.

BLOOD PRESSURE: Scientists know that vinegar will do wonders for your blood pressure -- if you're a rat. Unfortunately, they're not so sure that the same holds true for humans. It's possible, but there's just no evidence to back it up yet. Keep an eye out for more research. 

CURB YOUR APPETITE: When vinegar was served with white bread for breakfast, people said they were more satisfied afterward. But when vinegar was served with cream of wheat, made from a more complex grain that takes longer to digest, it made less of a difference, and the fuller feeling didn't last very long. Stay tuned on this one.

EAR INFECTION: Though some studies show that diluted vinegar (2%) may help with ear infections, the solution can also irritate swollen skin in the area. It could also damage specialized hairs of the cochlea, a part of the ear that helps you pick up sounds. Don't try it.

MORE IS NOT BETTER: Usually, 1-2 tablespoons a day is plenty to drink. There's little evidence that more can help, and too much can cause stomach problems, wear away your teeth, and lower potassium levels. It can also affect the way some drugs work, including water pills (diuretics), laxatives, and medicines for heart disease and diabetes. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking vinegar.

Reviewed by: William Blahd, MD on August 18, 2017, WebMD

Popular Science: "Making Vinegar at Home."
The Whole U, University of Washington: "Beyond the Hype: Apple Cider Vinegar as an Alternative Therapy."
Journal of Bioinformatics and Sequence Analysis: "Vinegar Intake Reduces Body Weight, Body Fat Mass, And Serum Triglyceride Levels in Obese Japanese Subjects."
Harvard Health Publications: "Taking aim at belly fat."
Science Driven Nutrition: "Is Apple Cider Vinegar A Miracle Food?"
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice: "Vinegar consumption can attenuate postprandial glucose and insulin responses; a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials," "Preliminary evidence that regular vinegar ingestion favorably influences hemoglobin A1c values in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus."
Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism: "Examination of the Antiglycemic Properties of Vinegar in Healthy Adults."
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: "Prediabetes & Insulin Resistance -- What is insulin?"
Medscape General Medicine: "Vinegar: Medicinal Uses and Antiglycemic Effect."
Pediatric Dermatology: "Chemical Burn Caused by Topical Vinegar Application in a Newborn Infant."
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: "Chemical burn from topical apple cider vinegar."
Rose, V. Apple Cider Vinegar: History and Folklore -- Composition -- Medical Research -- Medicinal, Cosmetic, and Household Uses --Commercial and Home Production, iUniverse Incorporated, 2006.
American Academy of Dermatology: "Dandruff: How to treat."
Journal of Pediatric Nursing: "Home remedies to control head lice: assessment of home remedies to control the human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae)."
UpToDate: "Jellyfish stings."
Mouth Healthy: "Natural Teeth Whitening: Fact vs. Fiction."
Mayo Clinic: "When and how often should you brush your teeth?"
Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials: "7 Best and Worst Home Remedies for Your Hemorrhoids."
UT Southwestern Medical Center: "5 foods containing potentially heart-healthy polyphenols."
European Journal of Nutrition: "Vinegar decreases blood pressure by down-regulating AT1R expression via the AMPK/PGC-1α/PPARγ pathway in spontaneously hypertensive rats."
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition: "Vinegar supplementation lowers glucose and insulin responses and increases satiety after a bread meal in healthy subjects."
FASEB Journal: "Effects of apple cider vinegar on postprandial blood glucose and satiety."

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2Live

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.