Lavender

Common Names:  lavender, English lavender, common lavender, French lavender

Latin Name: Lavandula angustifolia

History of Lavender

Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region, the Arabian Peninsula, and Russia. It is grown in Europe, the United States, and Australia.

Lavender has a long history of use to boost appetite and mood, as well as relieve gastrointestinal problems and anxiety. It was also used in ancient Egypt as part of the process for mummifying bodies.

Medicinal Properties of Lavender

People use lavender as a dietary supplement for anxiety, depression, and pain. People also apply it to the skin for hair loss, pain, and for improving emotional health. People may also inhale a lavender vapor to help sleep, to reduce pain, and for agitation related to dementia.

Lavender oil for inhalation and massage

Tea can be made from lavender leaves. A vapor for inhalation can be made by mixing lavender oil (an essential oil) with boiling water. Lavender oil is used for massage and in baths. Lavender is also found in capsules and liquid extracts.

Side Effects of Lavender

Topical use of diluted lavender oil is generally considered safe for most adults, but reports suggest it can cause skin irritation.

There’s not enough evidence to determine its safety when inhaled as aromatherapy.

Some evidence suggests that some topical applications containing lavender oil may affect sex hormone activity.

Lavender oil may be poisonous if taken by mouth.

Lavender extracts may cause stomach upset, joint pain, or headache.

Prescription & Nonprescription drugs 

All medications sold can be divided into two categories:

Prescription drugs that require a prescription to be sold

Nonprescription or over-the-counter drugs that do not require a prescription from a doctor

Prescription drugs are generally more potent than those sold over-the-counter (OTC) and may have more serious side effects if inappropriately used. Therefore, these medications are only sold under a doctor's direction. These directions are written on a prescription by your doctor, then double-checked, packaged, and sold to you by a pharmacist. Your pharmacist will also counsel you on how to use your medication and the drug's potential side effects.

Why doctor not prescribed turmeric

One of the main reasons why your doctor doesn't prescribe turmeric for everything that ails you is that our bodies don't take in curcumin very well. "It doesn't get absorbed by the gut. So you have to eat a boatload of turmeric to get the active ingredients into your bloodstream.

How to increase absorption of turmeric in gut

One way to help your body absorb more turmeric is to take it with black pepper. A compound called piperine in black pepper prevents your gut from breaking down turmeric, which increases absorption. Many turmeric supplements come with piperine already mixed in.

Turmeric absorption increases with oil & fat

Taking turmeric with fat or oil has the same effect. That's why we add turmeric to salads and toss it with an oil-based dressing. You can also cook with it -- adding it to curries and other dishes along with oil or pepper to boost its absorption.

Curcumin based nanoparticles

Researchers are also looking into better ways to get curcumin into the body. Some cancer researchers are trying to deliver curcumin via tiny bundles called nanoparticles. "The curcumin is being packaged into nanoparticles so it will be better absorbed and transferred to the cancer,".

Interaction of curcumin with other drugs

Curcumin might also interact with medicines including sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), which is used to treat ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis.