Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Lavandula angustifolia Essay

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Lavandula angustifolia - Essay Example The reason for which this research was carried out was the ancient belief that the herb Lavender angustifolia possessed the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. There have been mixed conclusions in the scientific history that support the hypothesis. Experiments have been carried out both in vitro and in vivo. Majority of them support the findings of the article, which confirms the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the plant. In vitro data suggests that Eugenol, which is a small constituent in the lavender oils, has topical anesthetic effects (Catherine and Kathi, 2001). Tests conducted on animals suggest that linalyl acetate and linalool constituents in angustifolia showed significant local anesthetic effect. It also increased the number of stimuli needed to provoke palpebral closure in a dose dependant manner (Catherine and Kathi, 2001). Experiments conducted on human beings, however, have shown mixed results in relieving pain. In an experiment hospitalized children infected with HIV were given a massage of Lavender angustifolia. It was noted that the massage decreased the need for analgesic medication and relieved the continuous pain of some of the children completely (Styles, 1997). In a randomized control clinical trial conducted on 100 patients in a Critical Care Unit, the massage of lavender oil reduced the pain of the patients by 50%. 90% reduction in the heart rate was also reported by the participating patients (Woolfson and Hewitt, 1992).