Lavender: beneficial properties and contraindications for the body, use for treatment

Lavender, whose beneficial properties, as well as contraindications for use, were found in ancient Rome, is currently used in various branches of medicine. The fact is that the plant has a useful chemical composition, due to which the therapeutic effect is achieved. Due to this, lavender-based products are used in gynecology, as well as for infectious, colds, neurological, vascular pathologies.

Chemical composition of the plant

The main active ingredient that benefits the human body is linalool. The substance is included in the leaves, stem, inflorescences.The content of linalool is about 60% of the total volume of essential oils. Due to it, the benefits of lavender are expressed in the possibility of providing a sedative effect on the central nervous system, heart and blood vessels.

Another component of the plant is cineole. It is used in the preparation of many cough medicines, because the compound has an expectorant effect. In addition, cineole provides an antiseptic effect.

Due to the content of geraniol and borneol in lavender flowers, an aromatherapeutic effect is created. The content of coumarin in the plant, when using lavender-based products, inhibits the development of protozoa and insects. For this reason, infusions and decoctions are actively used in the treatment of pediculosis and helminthic invasions.

About 10-12% of the composition of the plant is tannins. These help fight viral and bacterial processes in the upper respiratory tract. Infusions and decoctions are used to rinse the throat and mouth, which creates a protective shell on the mucous membranes, stopping the progress of the inflammatory process.

Due to resinous compounds, lavender-based products have a laxative and diuretic effect on the body. Such substances also have a preventive effect on putrefactive processes and enhance the effect of other drugs used in complex therapy.

Healing properties

Lavender, due to its rich composition, is used in various branches of medicine. This is also cosmetology, perfumery, and other industrial areas.

The use of dry grass and products based on it was found in dermatology, as their use is justified for bruises, bruises, burns. Active ingredients help to reduce the severity of spasms, pain, improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

The plant accelerates the excretion of bile fluid from the body, and due to the therapeutic effect of the oils contained in the composition, products with lavender extract are used for inhalation for pneumonia and bronchitis.

Since lavender has a calming effect, it is used to treat conditions such as neurasthenia, neurosis, melancholy, insomnia, which are caused by frequent stressful situations, overwork. In addition, the plant extract helps to improve the overall mental and emotional state.

What ailments helps

Lavender-based products help fight many pathological conditions in women and men. Lavender extract is also used in the treatment of children over 5 years old.

For gynecological problems

The use of lavender is justified in many gynecological diseases, as well as for the treatment of severe pain during menstruation. In this case, douching is carried out with infusion of the plant, chamomile, acacia (white). Each ingredient is taken in 1 tablespoon, mixed, poured with 1 liter of boiling water and infused for half an hour.

The finished product is douched daily, at bedtime, for a week.

For stress and insomnia

Lavender oil has a calming effect, improves the state of the nervous system, preventing emotional overexcitation. In addition, the oil helps to get rid of insomnia. For this purpose, apply 2-3 drops to an aromatic lamp.

In the absence of such a lamp, apply oil 1 drop at a time to the corners of the pillow. To achieve a therapeutic effect, it is important to take a natural product, without third-party ingredients.

Against infections

The medicinal plant can be used to prevent the attachment of secondary infections in the wound of the skin (cut, scratch, burn, bite). In addition, funds based on it are also used for an existing infectious disease - viral and bacterial.

The active components of the herbaceous plant accelerate the production of leukocyte cells in the body, while enhancing the protective reaction against pathogens. In this case, tea is prepared from lavender, which is drunk throughout the day.

Hypertension

To reduce pressure, not only lavender oil is used, but also marjoram, ylang-ylang. Hypertension is accompanied by shortness of breath and increased heart rate during attacks, and lavender oil allows you to quickly cope with such symptoms. In addition to the internal use of plant-based products, it is added to baths - in the form of a decoction or infusion, and used during massage.

If hypertension has developed against the background of menopause, take inside a collection of lemon balm, hops, burdock, mint, sweet clover, oregano. To prepare a medicinal infusion, take 2 tablespoons of raw materials, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, insist for 8 hours. The finished product is taken 50 milliliters, 3 times a day.

For colds and coughs

Lavender extract helps to reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process and the risk of complications, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Means based on it enhance the protective function of the body, thereby accelerating recovery.

For therapeutic purposes, for colds and coughs, infusions and decoctions are used for oral administration (1 tablespoon of raw materials per 200 milliliters of water), as well as for steam inhalation.

To increase appetite

If interest in food has decreased, and also if anorexia develops, aromatherapy will come to the rescue, but only in combination with other therapeutic methods. Using lavender oil alone in this situation will not be effective. In any case, it is required to find out the source of the decrease in appetite and eliminate it.

If these are psychological reasons, it is recommended to consult a psychotherapist or psychologist. During the main treatment, you can take relaxing baths with the addition of lavender oil or massage with it.

Using lavender

Not only decoctions and infusions for oral administration are prepared from the plant, but also means for adding to therapeutic baths.

Lavender baths

To add to the baths, you need to take 60 grams of plant flowers, pour 5 liters of hot water, insist for an hour. After cooling, the infusion is filtered and poured into the bath. The duration of water procedures is 20-30 minutes. Lavender bath has a calming effect, helps to relieve tension, especially for people who experience constant irritation.

For general relaxation, you can prepare the following infusion:

1. Take 3 tablespoons of s alt (preferably sea s alt), the same amount of baking soda and 10 drops of essential lavender oil.
2. Mix ingredients and add to water.

Bags of herbs tied up in the bath (for example, on a tap, heated towel rail) have a relaxing effect. Lavender, chamomile, rose petals are placed in the bag.

Butter

Essential oil is obtained from lavender flowers. The product has an antiseptic, bactericidal, antidepressant, analgesic effect. Systematic inhalation of the aroma of lavender oil helps to eliminate emotional disorders, restore the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Use oil in the following cases:

• for hot and cold inhalations;
• to add to baths;
• during massage;
• for applying warm compresses to the painful area;
• for adding to creams, tonics, shampoos, conditioners;
• for internal use with other ingredients.

In addition, the oil from the plant normalizes the rhythm of the heart, effective in diseases such as tachycardia and arrhythmia, hypertension. Often used by cosmetologists - to eliminate inflammation on the skin, redness and peeling.

Tea

Classic tea preparation looks like this: take a few tablespoons of a dried plant (better - flowers), pour 250 milliliters of water, put on fire and simmer for 10 minutes after boiling. After cooling, the product is taken orally instead of regular tea.

If local use of tea is required, it is made concentrated by taking 5 tablespoons of raw materials in 250 milliliters of water. The tool is used to apply disinfectant compresses to wounds and sores.

Infusion

Preparing an infusion is practically no different from a decoction. The only thing is that it is not boiled, but insisted under the lid for half an hour. Take 1-2 tablespoons of raw materials, pour 250 milliliters of hot water.

Syrup

Lavender syrup is used in cooking, adding to creams, pastries, drinks. At home, the product can be added to ice cream, pancakes.

Prepare the syrup like this:

1. Take sugar (2 cups), water (2 cups), 3 tablespoons of plant flowers, 2-3 drops of purple food coloring.
2. Add sugar to the water, put on fire until the latter dissolves (stirring);
3. Pour flowers into water and add dye, soak for 1-2 minutes.
4. Turn off the fire, let the remedy brew.

The finished product is filtered and poured into a plastic or glass jar for storage.

Contraindications and possible harm

In most cases, lavender has a healing effect, but cases of harm to he alth are not excluded.When using compresses, ointments, and other local remedies, swelling and hyperemia on the skin may occur. Such a reaction is caused by the body's hypersensitivity to its constituent components.

Contraindications for the use of lavender-based products include:

• hypersensitivity to ingredients;
• pregnancy and lactation periods;
• first 2 weeks after an abortion or other surgical intervention in gynecological organs;
• increased acidity of gastric juice;
• pathology of the biliary tract;
• under 5;
• hypotension.

If the permissible dosage of an oral plant-based remedy is exceeded, a disorder of the digestive function, nervous system (increased irritability or, conversely, a depressive state) can be observed.

Procurement and storage

The flowering of the plant occurs in July-August. At this time, the collection of inflorescences for the winter begins. The latter are plucked along with the branches, forming into bundles, which must be tied with a thread and hung to dry. After preparing the raw materials, the flowers are separated from the branches, then used for their intended purpose.

Storage of the harvested plant must be carried out in a room where open sunlight does not penetrate and which is well ventilated.

In any case, before using plant-based products, you should consult a specialist. Although this is a natural raw material, it still has some contraindications for use.

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