lavender Health Article

Generic name(s):

lavender

Brand name(s):

What is the most important information I should know about lavender?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. At higher doses, lavender may cause drowsiness. If you experience drowsiness, avoid these activities. Avoid alcohol while taking lavender. Alcohol may increase drowsiness caused by lavender.

At higher doses, lavender may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Do not take lavender with other medications that may also cause drowsiness.

Lavender has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of lavender may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

What is lavender?

The use of lavender in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.

Lavender is also known as Lavandula angustifolia, aspic, lavandin, spike lavender, and true lavender.

Lavender has been used for many purposes including loss of appetite, nervousness, insomnia, acne, headaches, diabetes, rheumatic pain, nerve pain, and colds.

Lavender has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of lavender may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Lavender may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using lavender?

Before taking lavender, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Lavender may not be recommended in some situations.

Do not take lavender without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether lavender will harm an unborn baby. Do not take lavender without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether lavender will harm a nursing infant. There is no information available regarding the use of lavender by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.