Lavender & Acne

Lavender, one of the most versatile medicinal herbs, is well-known for its highly aromatic leaves and flowers, as well as its calming and soothing qualities. In addition, lavender contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and painkilling properties that make it valuable in alleviating acne. Although further clinical analysis is needed to confirm the herb's efficacy in banishing blemishes, Acne Talks recommends lavender as an alternative to conventional medicine in treating acne-related symptoms.

Identification

Native to France and the western Mediterranean region, lavender is a fragrant, low-growing species of mint. The plant has multiple stems topped with spikes of purple flowers that bloom from June to September. The flowers contain more than 40 constituents, including high levels of essential oil used for medicinal purposes.

History

Lavender gained its popularity as a medicinal herb during the late Middle Ages. According to the book "Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine," the Pilgrims took lavender to the New World in 1620 where herbalist John Parkinson lauded the plant's medicinal benefits. Later, the herb became popular in Victorian England, where upper class women carried it to guard against fainting spells. Additionally, bed pillows scented with lavender were used to induce sleep. Lavender was officially recognized by the British Pharmacopoeia for more than 200 years as a remedy for muscle spasms, nervousness and headaches.

Benefits

OrganicFacts.net recommends the antiseptic and antifungal qualities of lavender essential oil for all manner of skin conditions including psoriasis, burns, cuts, stings, wrinkles and acne. Moreover, according to the book "Prescription for Herbal Healing," linalool and linalyl aldehyde, two compounds found in lavender essential oil, inhibit hormonal reactions that generate pain and inflammation associated with acne flare-ups.

Use

Propagated from seeds or cuttings, lavender needs a sunny position to grow. Herbalists pick flowers on midsummer mornings and dry them to extract the essential oil. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, topical use of the oil has no known toxicity. Simply rub five drops of undiluted lavender oil directly on your acne outbreaks. You can also massage lavender flowers on your affected areas to remove redness and swelling.

Considerations

Before using lavender consistently, try it out first for a week. Hay fever or asthma patients may suffer allergic reactions from the herb. Because lavender can speed the secretion of bile, people with gallstones or biliary tract obstructions should not use lavender, nor should children and pregnant or nursing women. You should never take lavender oil internally.