Dr. Weeks’ comment: Lavender oil is a potent remedy with anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant properties which calms not only anxiety and ADHD thought processes but also neurological pain. It can be inhaled, consumed orally or applied topically.
BMC complement Med Ther. 2024 Jan 24;24(1):54. doi: 10.1186/s12906-024-04362-z.
Alleviating effect of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and its major components on postherpetic pain: a randomized blinded controlled trial
- PMID: 38267936
- PMCID: PMC10807075
- DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04362-z
Abstract
Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) causes severe pain which can lead to decreased quality-of-life. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of inhalation of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) oil and its major components (linalool and linalyl acetate) on the pain in patients with PHN.
Results: Six patients discontinued the intervention for personal reasons; hence, data from 58 patients were analyzed (control group, n = 14; 1% lavender oil group, n = 15; 1% linalool, n = 15; 1% linalyl acetate, n = 14). Reduction in sensory pain was greater in the 1% lavender oil group, 1% linalool group, and 1% linalyl acetate group than in the control group (all P < 0.001). Reduction in affective pain was greater in the 1% lavender group (P < 0.001) and the 1% linalool group (P = 0.007) than in the control group. Decreases in pain severity and intensity were significantly greater in all three intervention groups than in the control group.
Conclusions: Inhalation of lavender oil and its major volatile components effectively reduced the quality, severity, and intensity of postherpetic pain, suggesting that lavender oil, linalool, and linalyl acetate may each be an effective intervention for reducing pain in patients with postherpetic neuralgia.