Lavender oil and its uses

Lavender oil is an essential oil distilled from the flower spikes of certain species of lavender.There are more than 400 species of lavender with different scents and qualities throughout the world.Two forms of lavender oil are distinguished, lavender flower oil, a colorless oil insoluble in water with a density of 0.885 g/mL; lavender spike oil, a distillate from the herb Lavandula latifolia with a density of 0.905 g/mL mL. Like all essential oils, it's not a pure compound; it's a complex mixture of phytochemicals, including linalool and linalyl acetate.

Make 

Pure lavender essential oil is produced by steam distillation.Due to the reduced loss of polar compounds, this method produces more oil than other methods.Lavender flowers are usually harvested between late June and August.Cut lavender flowers and stems are pressed into lavender stills.A boiler is then used to steam the bottoms of the lavender flowers at very low pressure.The lavender flower pouches containing the oil are broken during this heating process, and a cold water tube is passed through the center of the still.The hot lavender oil vapors, along with the cold water, condense on cold pipes and are collected in a storage tank, where they settle.Due to the polarity and density of water and oil, the two will separate in the storage tank and the water will then be piped out, leaving only the lavender essential oil.Lavender oil is produced all over the world, with Bulgaria, France and China leading the way.

Uses

In the United States, lavender oil is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for its intended use.Lavender oil has been used as a perfume, aromatherapy, and skin application but these uses have no clinical benefit.Lavender oil has been used in massage therapy as a method of inducing relaxation through direct skin contact, although allergic reactions may occur.There is insufficient evidence to support the use of lavender oil for dementia.A 2021 meta-analysis included five studies of people with anxiety disorders.All five studies were funded by the manufacturer of the lavender oil capsules used, four of the studies were carried out by one of the authors of the meta-analysis,and blinding was unclear.In this analysis, a daily oral dose of lavender oil at a dose of 80 mg was associated with reduced anxiety scores on the Hamilton Anxiety Scale.According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, due to the limitations of these studies, the effectiveness of using oral lavender oil for anxiety remains uncertain.Spike lavender oil was used as a solvent for oil painting, mainly before distilled turpentine became common.

Possible adverse effects

Many essential oils, including lavender oil, are toxic if swallowed.In general of diluted essential oils may be toxic to adults and 2-3 ml (0.068-0.101 US fl oz) may be toxic to children.From 2014-18, 271 cases of lavender oil poisoning mostly children were reported in New South Wales, accounting for 6.1% of all essential oil poisoning cases.The main toxic constituents of lavender oil are linalyl acetate and linalool.Symptoms of poisoning from ingesting lavender oil include blurred vision, difficulty breathing, burning throat, burning eyes, confusion, decreased level of consciousness, diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting and rash.Topical use of lavender oil may cause contact dermatitis.Ingesting lavender oil may interact with prescription medications, including anticoagulants, statins, and anticonvulsants.

Environmental impact

A 2018 study by the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that four of the chemical constituents (eucalyptol, 4-terpineol, limonene, and alpha-terpineol) are endocrine disruptors, sparking concern over oil Concerns about potential impacts on environmental health.