Sedative lavender

Buchbauer G, Jirovetz L, Jager W, Dietrich H, Plank C and Karamat E (1991). Aromatherapy Evidence for the sedative effect of the essential oil of lavender after inhalation. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung (Tubingen, Germany), 46c, 1067-1072. 

There are a few members of the passionflower family (Passifloraceae) that have psychotropic effects. The one most studied is Pass flora incarnata, although some work has been done on Pass flora coerulea and Passiflora edulis. P. incarnata is a colorful, flowering plant with five white or lavender petals, a purple or pink corona, and five brightly colored stamen (Gruenwald et al. 1998). The parts of the plants used for medicinal effect are the whole plant or aerial parts. It is native to the mid- to southeastern United States. Passionflower has a history with Native Americans as a poultice to treat bruises, and as a tea for sedative/anxiolytic effects (Kowalchick and Hylton 1987). It is one of the most common herbs commercially available in Britain (Tyler 1994). 

In lavender essential oils, linalool and linalyl acetate are sedative and antispasmodic compounds when lavender is used in blends with other essential oils, these effects can be enhanced. 

Relevant to the data that follow, it has been shown that individual components of EOs administered orally, by means of intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injections, dermally, or by inhalation do reach and adequately cross the blood-brain barrier (Buchbauer et al. 1993 Fujiwara et al. 1998 Jirovetz et al. 1990 Kovar et al. 1987 Moreira et al. 2001 Perry et al. 2002). The question of whether psychopharmacological effects in animals are dependent of olfactory functions is surprisingly not yet entirely clari ed. Cedrol (from pine EO) was shown to be sedative in normal rats and rats made anos-mic with zinc sulfate (Kagawa et al. 2003). In contrast, a mix of chamomile and lavender oils reduced pentobarbitaTinduced sleeping time in normal but not anosmic rats and mice (Kagawa et al. 2003). 

Buchbauer, G., Jirovetz, L., Jager, W., Dietrich, H., and Plank, C. 1991. Aromatherapy Evidence for sedative effects of the essential oil of lavender after inhalation. Journal of Bioscience 46 1067-1072. 

Many examples of essential oil effects abound in animal studies, for example, the sedative action of lavender on the overall activity of mice decreased when exposed to lavender vapor (f. angustifolia P. Miller) its components linalool and linalyl acetate showed a similar effect (Buchbauer et al., 1992). A possible explanation for the observed sedative effects was shown by linalool, which produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the binding of glutamate (an excitatory neuretransmitter in the brain) to its receptors on membranes of the rat cerebral cortex (Elisabetsky et al., 1995). More recently, this action was related to an anticonvulsant activity of linalool in rats (Elisabetsky et al., 1999). Other oils with sedative activity were found to be neroli and sandalwood active compo nents included citronellal, phenylethyl acetate, linalool, linalyl acetate, benzaldehyde, terpineol, and isoeugenol (in order of decreasing activity). 

Aromatherapy can apparently help patients with multiple sclerosis, especially for relaxation, in association with many other changes in the diet and also use of conventional medicines (Barker, 1994). French basil, black pepper, and true lavender in evening primrose oil with borage oil was used to counteract stiffness and also to stimulate this mixture was later changed to include relaxing and sedative oils such as Roman chamomile, ylangylang, and melissa. 

Traditional Medicine. Lavender is reportedly used as an antispasmodic, carminative, stimulant, diuretic, sedative, tonic, and stomachic. Conditions for which it is used include flatulence, spasms, colic, giddiness, nervous headache, migraine, toothache, sprains, neuralgia, rheumatism, acne, pimples, sores, nausea, vomiting, and others, usually in the form of an infusion, a decoction, or the oil, both internally and externally. 

Tricyclic skeletons are rarely found. Research data indicate that specific cyclases are involved in the synthesis of individual enantiomers [41,63], Monoterpenoids are most often the constituents of volatile oils, which are widely utilized in perfumery and in medicine as carminatives, sedatives, expectorants, and antimicrobial agents. Some most important essential oils are derived from peppermint leaf, lavender, coriander, caraway, lemon peel, turpentine, rosemary, sage, and others. 

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