The Wondrous Essential Oils: Lavender and our Nervous System (Part 1)

In a previous article, we dove in and explained the excellent properties of essential oils and the role that they play in our daily lives. Now in this article, we want to specifically talk about a plant called Lavender. The essential oil extracted from this plant, is traditionally known for having a variety of therapeutic and healing properties ranging from inducing relaxation to the treatment of parasitic infections, burns, insect bites, and muscle spasms.

There has currently been growing evidence to suggest that Lavender oil may be an effective drug in the treatment of several neurological disorders. Several studies conducted in humans and animals in which Lavender was used suggested that it helps remediate properties such as anxiolytic, mood stabilization, sedative, analgesic and anticonvulsant, and neuro-protectiveness. These studies raised the possibility of the resurgence of Lavender in the therapeutic efficacy of neurological disorders. In this article, we have offered an explanation of the current experimental and clinical effects of Lavender in our nervous system.

What is the Lavender Plant?

This plant comes from the Lavandula genus, which is native to the lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, Southern Europe, Eastern Europe, North Africa, Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast India. There are currently more than 30 species and hundreds of subspecies, hybrids, and selective crops.

Different forms of this plant vary in size and can range from 9 inches to 3 feet, although some plants may grow according to their age. Ultimately, Lavender is divided into four main categories: Lavender Agustifolia, commonly known as English Lavender; Stoechas Lavender, a large plant of foliage greenish gray color, and late flowering with a very strong odor (sometimes known as French Lavender); Latifolia Lavender, which is similar to a Mediterranean grass; and Lintermedia Lavender which is a sterile cross between Lavender and Lavender Latifolia Angustina.



Different forms of Lavender plants have similar ethnobotanical properties and its main chemical components consist of the following: linalool, linalyl acetate, cineol terpinen, and camphor (the ethnobotanical studies the relationships between human groups and their vegetable environment in the use and development of plants in different cultural spaces and time) however, the relative level of each component differs according to the type of species. Lavender oil can be procured from the flowers of Lavandula Angustifolia (Family: Lamiaceae) through the process called steam distillation. The oil extracted through this process is mainly composed of the following chemicals: linalyl acetate, linalool, lavandulol acetate lavandulyl, and camphor.

The main components found in Lavender oil that are used during aromatherapy are linalool and linalyl acetate. The allocation of these two components is 51% (linalyl acetate) and 35% (linalool). This can be measured using a process called Gas Chromatography, and is linked to the use of gas properties. (Gas Chromatography is a set of techniques based on the principle of selective retention, which aims to separate the different components of a mixture, allowing identifying and determining the amounts of such components.)

The more proper use of Lavender is recommended via oral administration. However, it is also being used in aromatherapy, inhalation, massage, oil leakage, and bathrooms. Unlike many other essential oils used in aromatherapy, Lavender oil is often applied to the skin without being diluted. In a recent study, it was suggested that the essential oils and their components are quickly absorbed through the skin.



Even dating back to Medieval Times, Lavender has been a primary source in the preparation of drugs, perfumes, soaps, flavoring, and crafts. Lavender has a long history of medicinal use and it is suggested that this oil possesses an anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anxiolytic, sedative, and other soothing properties. Lavender was also prescribed by medieval doctors like Ebn-e-Sina and Razi, to treat seizures and migraines. Additionally, Lavender is considered beneficial in the treatment of pain and tremors.

In recent years, several researches have evaluated the medical and traditional remedies of Lavender, and have developed scientific methods to conduct numerous studies. These studies raised the possibility of reviving the therapeutic efficacy of Lavender in neurological disorders, and are mainly based on evidence of their medical efficacy.

Lavender in Animal Studies:

Several experiments using Lavender in animals, suggest an anxiolytic, sedative, analgesic and anticonvulsant and neuroprotective properties. It showed that Lavender has an anti-conflicting effect in mice. Continuous exposure to the essential oil of Lavender in rats, for 7 days, significantly inhibited anxiety and depression-like behavior as well as in the high tests of 'labyrinths', and in the forced swim test in these animals.



Lavender oil has been showing significant anxiolytic effects, in several tests used. Linalool, a major constituent of Lavender oil, produced significant effects on anti-conflicting cases, and also found that the effects were similar to those of Lavender oil. The effects of Lavender oil in rats, compared with the similar chemical called Chlordiazepoxide, achieved improvements in their behaviors in open field tests.

The effects of Lavender oil showed anti-anxiety properties, which were similar to those shown by the chemical component called Chlordiazepoxide. The anxiolytic effects of Lavender resonated with the effects of Diazepam when an elevated maze test was performed in the 'Mongolian Gerbil' animal (Diazepam is a derivative of Benzodiazepine, anxiolytic sedatives, muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants and drug), the smell of Lavender exposure showed an anxiolytic profile like diazepam in 'Gerbils females'. The investigation of the effects of inhaling linalool found that anxiety, aggression, and social interaction in mice enhanced anxiolytic properties during the test called 'dark without light ". Subsequently, there was increased social interaction, and decreased aggressive behavior.



The local anesthetic effect of lavender and its components (linalool and linalyl acetate) had a positive report in both "live" and in animal experiments in vitro. In a reflex test of Rabbit conjunctival, a treatment with a solution of Lavender essential oil, as well as linalool or linalyl acetate induced an improvement dose-dependency in the number of stimuli required to cause glare. The methanol extract of Lavender produced dose-dependency and sedative effects in mice.

To evaluate the sedative effects of lavender in the immobility of mice over-agitated induced by caffeine, it had to be determined after inhalation of Lavender. The smell of Lavender significantly increased the state of immobility in mice treated with caffeine. Exposure of mice to the smell of Lavender in a dark cage resulted in depression of motor activity, while plasma levels of linalool increased in proportion to the duration of exposure.

An intra-plantar injection of capsaicin produces an intense response and short 'licking/ biting' in mice (this chemical compound is an active component of chili peppers. Irritating to mammals and produces a strong burning sensation in the mouth) and the non-receptive response induced by capsaicin was significantly reduced by an intra-plantar injection of Lavender and Linalool. Oral administration or inhalation of lavender essential oil significantly reduced chemical and thermal pain without central adverse effects in adult mice.

The exposure to Lavender effectively improved the induced deficit of spatial memory due to the dysfunction of the cholinergic system (substance, drug or poison that acts by stimulating or producing effects equivalent to the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system, is also known as a neurotransmitter) therefore, its effects are similar to those produced by acetylcholine (neurotransmitter characteristic in animals). The administration of the Lavender in the 'animal model' of Alzheimer's disease can reverse the spatial learning deficits.



Repeated application of Lavender in mice showed a faster onset of sleep with increased duration. The anticonvulsant effect of Lavender worked against attacks through chemical convulsions induced in male mice. Lavender inhibited the onset, shortened duration and decreased intensity of the seizures.

It is reported that the anticonvulsant effects are created when Lavender is combined with other drugs. Inhalation of Lavender is also positively observed in inhibition induced by other chemical components, especially mice with seizures. Linalool, one of the main components of Lavender oil, has been shown to inhibit convulsions induced by other chemical components in different animal models.

The neuroprotective effect of Lavender oil on brain injuries in mice was investigated. An aqueous extract of Lavender has been shown to decrease the neurotoxicity induced by glutamate in rat pups with farming granular cells of the cerebellum. Lavender oil significantly decreased neurological problems, strokes, and neuronal damage in mice.

Several studies were conducted to clarify the actions of the Lavender in neuronal tissues. Lavender inhibits chemical components that are induced by inflammatory reactions, and are related with the cells associated to the expression of other components. Linalool was shown to inhibit the release of acetylcholine and alters a function related to the neuromuscular junction.

These findings indicate that several objectives relevant to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease could be found in Lavender. The neuroprotective effect of Lavender oil is suggested to be used for brain damage, and must be attributed to its antioxidant effects. The evaluation of the effects of Lavender oil in motor activity and its relationship with dopaminergic neurotransmission showed a significantly increased receptor activity of dopamine D in the olfactory bulbs of rats (Dopaminergic Neurotransmission is a term used to describe those substances or activities that increase the activity related to dopamine in the brain).



Lavender oil is also believed to serve the modulate neurotransmission and improve the inhibitory tone of the nervous system. This essential oil also serves as an analgesic, anxiolytic, antidepressant and anticonvulsant effects.

It has been shown that Lavender oil inhibits the sympathetic nerves that innervate the white and brown adipose tissue and adrenal gland, and also excites the parasympathetic gastric nerve. The smell of Lavender oil, especially its component linalool, can affect the autonomic nerves. The smell inhibits the production of heat (energy), increases appetite, and as a result, body weight in rats. Lavender can also inhibit the sympathetic nerve activity. The Hypothalamic neurons are also involved in certain responses to the Lavender oil (which are the most important region of the brain for the coordination of essential behaviors, linked to the maintenance of the species)

Part 1 of 3

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