Lavender Benefits: Beyond the Aroma

The Many Potential Health Benefits of Lavender Tea

Lavender is a fragrant herb that has been used for centuries for its potential therapeutic properties. The ancient Egyptians used lavender for mummification and cosmetics. The Romans enjoyed lavender scented baths. Throughout history, lavender has been believed to have calming and relaxing qualities.

Today, lavender is still popular for its scent but has also gained attention for its potential health benefits. Lavender tea is an easy way to incorporate lavender into your diet and harness some of its health-promoting properties.

What is Lavender Tea?

Lavender tea is an herbal tea made by steeping dried lavender flowers or buds in hot water. It has a light, floral taste and aroma. Lavender tea has started gaining popularity not just for its pleasant flavor but also for its potential therapeutic uses.

The lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia) contains a variety of phytochemicals, including volatile oils like linalool and linalyl acetate. These compounds are thought to be responsible for many of lavenders effects, from its calming properties to its ability to potentially treat headaches.

Lavender tea can be prepared from the flowers of the plant alone or blended with other herbs, spices, or tea leaves like green or black tea. It is available in tea bags, loose-leaf, or as part of tea blends.

Potential Health Benefits of Lavender Tea

Here is a look at some of the ways lavender tea may benefit your health:

May help reduce anxiety and stress

Lavender tea may help lower stress levels and promote relaxation. Multiple human studies have found inhaling lavender essential oil or absorbing it through the skin may reduce anxiety and emotional stress.

Researchers believe constituents in lavender like linalool may inhibit too much excitation in the brain, acting similarly to sedative medications. Drinking lavender tea may produce milder relaxing effects by delivering lavenders active compounds orally.

In one study in college nursing students, lavender tea was shown to lower anxiety and stress levels before an exam. More research is still needed, but preliminary studies suggest lavender tea may produce a relaxing effect.

May promote restful sleep

Lavenders calming properties may help improve sleep quality and duration. Some small studies in older adults and college students have found smelling lavender essential oil or orally ingesting lavender may result in better quality sleep.

Researchers again believe this effect is caused by lavenders ability to decrease excess activity in the nervous system. More research is needed, but if you struggle with insomnia or restless sleep, lavender tea is very safe and may help improve your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.

May help reduce headaches

There is some scientific evidence that lavender may help relieve headache pain. One study found that lavender essential oil inhalation significantly reduced the severity and duration of migraine headaches compared to placebo.

Another study in patients undergoing craniotomy found inhaling lavender oil decreased headache pain after surgery. Lavender tea may also help simply through its stress and sleep-promoting effects, as headaches are often caused by anxiety, poor sleep, and tension.

May lower blood pressure

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. Lowering blood pressure with natural approaches like diet and herbs may help reduce your cardiovascular disease risk.

Some preliminary research suggests lavender may lower blood pressure. In one study, patients breathing in lavender essential oil for 20 minutes had significant decreases in blood pressure.

However, more research is needed looking specifically at lavender tea consumption and effects on blood pressure.

May aid digestion

Lavender tea may help improve digestion in a few ways. First, by reducing stress levels, it may allow the gastrointestinal system to function more optimally.

Secondly, lavender may reduce cramping and spasms in the gut, helping soothe an upset stomach. Some early animal studies show lavender extracts may reduce diarrhea and intestinal cramping, although human research is needed.

Finally, lavender may also act as an antibacterial. A lab study shows it may inhibit the growth of some strains of harmful bacteria like E. coli and S. aureus that can cause gastrointestinal issues.

May have antioxidant effects

Antioxidants are compounds that help neutralize harmful free radicals and oxidative stress in the body. Chronic oxidative stress contributes to inflammation, accelerated aging, and chronic diseases.

Some research shows lavender and its derivatives may have antioxidant properties. One animal study found lavender extracts reduced markers of oxidation while also increasing antioxidant compounds in rats brains.

More research is needed on antioxidant activity in humans who use lavender tea, but this indicates it may help promote overall health by reducing cellular damage in the body.

Other Potential Benefits

Here are several other ways lavender tea may enhance health, although more research is needed:

• - May act as a mild sedative
• - May relieve pain from headaches, injury, and menstrual cramps
• - May decrease skin inflammation and help treat minor burns
• - May act as an antibacterial agent against some drug-resistant bacteria strains
• - May help relieve asthma symptoms when inhaled
• - May stimulate urine production as a diuretic

How to Make Lavender Tea

Making lavender tea at home is very easy. You can use dried lavender flowers or buds directly, or a tea blend containing lavender.

To make a basic cup of lavender tea, place about 1-2 teaspoons of dried lavender into a heatproof mug. Pour 8 ounces of just-boiled water over the lavender. Allow to steep for 5-7 minutes then strain out the lavender flowers. Enjoy the tea as is or with a little honey for added sweetness and benefits.

You can also make lavender tea using tea bags for convenience. Use one lavender tea bag per cup of tea and steep for 5 minutes or so in hot water. Discard the tea bag after steeping.

To boost the benefits of lavender tea, you can combine it with other calming and antioxidant-rich herbs like chamomile, passionflower, rosehips, lemongrass, ginger, valerian, or holy basil.

Loose leaf lavender tea blends are available online or at many health stores. You can also make your own custom blend at home. Experiment with different herb combinations to create a lavender tea you enjoy.

Lavender Tea Cautions and Safety

Lavender tea is generally very safe for most people but there are some safety considerations:

• - Pregnant women should use caution, as there is not enough safety research during pregnancy.
• - Discontinue use if any allergic reaction occurs.
• - Lavender may increase drowsiness from sedative medications.
• - Use caution if taking diabetes medication due to potential for low blood sugar.
• - Avoid excessive use, defined as more than 8 cups per day.

Its best to stick to 1-3 small cups of lavender tea per day. Also consult your doctor about any possible medication interactions or if you have underlying health conditions.

How to Grow Lavender for Tea

You can easily grow lavender at home to make fresh lavender tea if you have an outdoor garden space or room for a potted plant.

Lavender thrives best in regions with moderate temperatures and lots of sunlight. Plant lavender in the springtime in well-drained soil after any threat of frost has passed. Space plants 1-3 feet apart depending on the lavender species.

Lavender needs minimal watering. Overwatering can actually damage plants. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Prune plants lightly in the summer to encourage new growth.

Harvest lavender flowers in the summer when they are open and vibrant. Snip off the flowers just below the bloom. You can hang bundles to dry out of sunlight for 1-2 weeks before storing in an airtight container.

Dried lavender will make a fragrant, nourishing tea all winter long. Growing your own lavender is inexpensive, easy, and offers the freshest tea possible.

The Bottom Line

Lavender is so much more than a lovely garden flower. Enjoying it in tea may provide natural stress relief, antioxidant benefits, and help promote restful sleep.

Research suggests lavender tea may help relieve anxiety, depression, migraines, stomach issues, pain, and even high blood pressure.

Sip on a warm cup of lavender tea made from fragrant homegrown or store-bought flowers. Allow your mind to relax as you take in its lovely floral scent and flavor. Your body may reap the benefits as well.

Lavender tea is affordable, safe for most people, and easy to make. Give this fragrant herbal tea a try as a natural, relaxing part of your wellness routine.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.