Aromatherapy: Therapy with Fragrances of Lavender Essential Oil

Abstract

Lavender essential oil (EO) applications are numerous; it is most frequently used among EOs in cosmetics, household products, and aromatherapy. The genus Lavandula (common name lavender) includes a large number of species; however, only four of them (L. angustifolia, L. latifolia, L. × intermedia, and L. stoechas) are used for the commercial extraction of EO. Therefore, a comprehensive overview of all the beneficial properties of lavender aromatherapy utilization, methods of application, recommended doses, and mixing abilities with other EOs is given in this chapter. The systematic search for phrase “lavender aromatherapy” via different electronic databases from the first time it was mentioned in a paper (1989) until today (April 2023). In the existing literature, there is evidence of more than 200 published studies, with more than 18,000 participants, that showed lavender EO has a positive effect on sleep quality, anxiety relief, and reduction of depression condition. It is also cognitive enhancing and influences gradual pain relief; therefore, it shows great potential for diverse application in dentistry, preoperative treatments, obstetrics, burns, and cancer patients as an alternative or adjuvant therapy. The reasons for lavender EO becoming popular and fashionable and the increasing demand for it lie in its characteristic pleasant floral-herbal scent and versatile application.