Lavender is also studied scientifically.

Science, research and lavender

Lavender has been known for centuries for its beneficial effects on human body. The essential oil has been used for aromatherapy as well as directly on the body since the ancient Roman spa thanks to the experience of our ancestors. However, there had not been a relevant scientific research to actually prove its benefits until recently. I laid my hands on two very interesting recent studies, whose results I would like to present to you. Although, I am not a chemist and do not have the right education, I hope my interpretation will be correct.

Jakub Přichystal and a summary of relevant studies

In 2012 Jakub Přichystal submitted a Bachelor‘s thesis at the Department of Analytical Chemistry, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic. In his work, he focused on an analysis of chemical substances contained in lavender essential oil.

The most important for us are:

Limonene – substance with sedative effect and partially proven anti-tumor effects.

Linalool – substance with antiseptic and sedative effects

Linalyl acetate – anticoagulative substance

Lavandulyl acetate – CNS inhibitor

In his work, Mr Přichystal summarizes accessible information from scientific studies and analyses, which were focused on the effects of lavender.

Lavender causes inhibition of the CNS thanks to linalool and linalyl acetate, thus helping to induce sleep and improve people‘s mood in general. What is interesting is that according to one of the studies, „lavender aromatherapy helps increase speed and accuracy of mathematical calculations, which may be the reason why lavender was believed to increase intelligence.“

Lavender is supposed to reduce the side effects of cancer as well as chemotherapy, however, no sufficient reasearch has been performed so far. Neither the effects of lavender applied directly on the skin have been scientifically proven yet. It is highly probable, though, that lavender helps heal wounds and scars. Also it helps reduce the symptoms of skin problems like psoriasis or dermatitis.

Significant results have been registered while testing the effects of lavender against multiple bacteria and fungi. Lavender is even effective against bacteria resistant to antibiotics. Well documented are the effects of lavender oil against pests like mites (especially house dust mite frequently causing asthma in children), aphides and clothes moths, mainly thanks to linalool. It can be used to repels ticks even in minimum concentration.

It is not as simple as it looks, though. Very frequent use of lavender oil directly on skin can cause contact dermatitis to people with sensitive skin.

Lucie Fojtíková and a test of our lavender

Lucie Fojtíková has successfully defended her Bachelor‘s thesis at Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel Univevrsity in Brno. You can find there more than useful advice and tips on how to grow lavender. Ms Fojtíková included our Provencal lavender in her research, for which we are grateful! What conclusions has she come to? Let us see:

Ms Fojtíková analyzed samples of lavender from 3 locations: Hvar (Croatia), Brno and its vicinity (Czech Republic) and Sault (Southern France). The French lavender we use in our products showed the highest content of limonene and linalyl acetate of all the tested samples. Compared to the other samples, it had lower content of linalool and lavandulyl acetate. Out of all the samples, our lavender had the best results of the microbial cleanliness test!

Lavender is a magical plant

As you can see, lavender is an amazing plant with a lot of benefits for human body and mind. It was known by the ancient Romans and proved by contemporary scientists. And I am proud to say that what we offer you is really the best.