Lavender is an odiferous flower with a dry, herbal scent, the essential oil of which is believed to have a soothing effect on the senses when inhaled. A purported use of lavender tea is to increase the appetite; however, lavender oil is not mentioned as an agent for weight loss. Furthermore, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, cautions that lavender oil is poisonous when consumed.
About Lavender
Lavender, which goes by the botanical names Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula officinalis, is indigenous to the Mediterranean. It is cultivated in sunny regions of southern Europe, Australia and the United States. The lavender plant is a short shrub around 2 feet in height, and the oil extracted from its fragrant, purplish-blue flowers is used for medicinal purposes. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the eucalyptol in lavender's essential oil is believed to have soothing, analgesic effects. Eucalyptol is also found in eucalyptus, cardamom and rosemary.
Purported Uses
Lavender has a variety of purported uses. Historically, the herb was valued for its antiseptic properties, as well as its scent, and was used by the ancient Egyptians during the mummification process and as a bath additive by the Greeks, Romans and Persians. Modern applications of lavender extend to anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, depression, hair loss, headache and gastrointestinal upset, notes NCCAM. Weight loss is not an express use for lavender or its essential oil.
Lavender Cautions
The most common use for lavender is in aromatherapy, in which the oil is inhaled or diluted with other oils and massaged into the skin. NCCAM and MedlinePlus indicate that there's not much scientific study to support lavender's effectiveness for any of its common uses. Lavender teas and tinctures, which employ a diluted form of the herb, may cause headache, constipation and increased appetite. Lavender oil itself should never be ingested directly.
Safer Weight Loss
If you have weight to lose, the sensible approach is to reduce your daily calorie intake and increase your level of physical activity, states the Weight-Control Information Network. When you design your weight loss program, it's essential to take into consideration use of any herbal supplements or drugs that could be harmful to your health. Selecting the right weight loss method can be challenging, especially when sorting through the claims made by commercial diets and over-the-counter weight loss supplements. Talk to your treating physician or another health care expert before you self-treat using herbal supplements or alternative medicine for weight loss.
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