RootAnn Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Just saw an article saying 'high quality lavender oil is just as effective for generalized anxiety as some of the usually prescribed stuff like Lorazapam.(another source, another one) Anyone try this & have words of wisdom for or against? Links of specific products? This is for a family member. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 DS13 likes the smell of lavender flowers and doesn’t mind the bath & body works lavender lotion. No idea about effects on anxiety. I wanted to buy a small pot of lavender for him but lavender is to be avoided for estrogen positive breast cancer so I didn’t since we would have to keep the plant indoors (patio too hot for our previous lavender plant). I used to buy essential oils from The Body Shop to use as room fresheners in my college dorm room but they aren’t the best quality. “Lavender can cause allergic skin reactions and may increase sedative effects. It may also cause enlarged breasts in boys. Because it has weak hormonal activities, long-term oral or topical use of lavender should be avoided in patients with hormone-sensitive cancers. Do not take if You are pregnant and nursing: Excessive internal use of lavender should be avoided. You are allergic to lavender: Skin rash has been reported. You have a hormone-sensitive cancer: In laboratory studies, lavender showed very weak estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities, and it is unclear whether this would lead to any positive or negative effects with long-term oral or topical use. You are taking sedatives or hypnotic drugs: Lavender may increase their effects. You are taking CNS depressants, anticonvulsants: Lavender may increase narcotic and sedative effects. You are taking cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins, nicotinic acid, fibric acid derivatives): Lavender may produce additional cholesterol-lowering effects.” https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/lavender Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6wildhorses Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 I love lavender oil for anxiety! I use Nature's Way CalmAid. I take one in the morning and one at night. I noticed a difference very quickly (within days), but it can take a few weeks for some people to notice a difference. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Wow. I'm really tempted to try this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 Try it. It is safe for direct skin contact (actually has healing properties), so it can't really hurt. It is relaxing at bedtime. My anxiety ridden daughter can't stand the smell of lavender, but there are other essential oils that help her.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 2 hours ago, Suzanne in ABQ said: Try it. It is safe for direct skin contact (actually has healing properties), so it can't really hurt. It is relaxing at bedtime. My anxiety ridden daughter can't stand the smell of lavender, but there are other essential oils that help her.. I too am of the opinion to try it since the chance of side effects are minimal. If there is no appreciable difference you can look for other solutions. I know it has been tried in psych departments (clients with severe anxiety and insomnia) and some success has been reported (results varied). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 My anxious kid is allergic to lavender. I prefer jasmine and find it very soothing, but I don't think science backs me up on that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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