Lavender angustifolia
Quality: Yin
Element: Fire, Wood.
Lavender is a plant with a tight purple flower that grows to 2 ft. It has historically been used for its wonderful smell and sedating action. It has been used for skin problems and as an antiseptic. Now it is also used for respiratory issues and as a blood thinner. Here we are using it for stress relief. One of its compounds linalool and linalyl acetate can help depress the nervous system, reducing pain. It is thought to lessen anxiety and, in many regions like Tibet, it is used for treating mental illness.
Reference:
- López V, Nielsen B, Solas M, Ramírez MJ, Jäger AK. (2017) Exploring Pharmacological Mechanisms of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil on Central Nervous System Targets. Front Pharmacol. 2017 May 19;8:280.
- Kianpour M, Mansouri A, Mehrabi T, Asghari G. (2016) Effect of lavender scent inhalation on prevention of stress, anxiety and depression in the postpartum period. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2016 Mar-Apr;21(2):197-201.