Studies have shown lavender and jasmine are calming

[GiaK]

hello...sharing a post...may be helpful to someone.

 

Studies have shown lavendar and jasmine are calming

For original post and the pretty picture that go with it see here: http://beyondmeds.com/2012/05/05/lavendarjasmine/

 

MAY 5, 2012

There are so many gentle simple and healthy things we can do to help ourselves get through difficult times. If we put many of them together we find they may be enough to heal us. Aromatherapy is often considered to be “woo.” Below, though are two reports of studies that seem to indicate that these two scents are indeed, mildly psychoactive and calming.

 

So from Psychology Today:

 

…lavender’s impact on mood and cognition has garnered the most attention. A study by researchers at Charles Sturt University in Australia reviewed trials testing the outcomes of lavender aromatherapy. It seems there is mounting evidence that the essential oil does have physiological effects.

 

To measure the effects of aromatherapy, researchers compared responses with two essential oils thought to have opposite effects on alertness: soothing lavender and invigorating rosemary. One University of Miami study followed brain activity with an EEG machine, finding that the group subjected to lavender aromatherapy did in fact show brainwaves suggesting drowsiness, while the group subjected to rosemary experienced increased alertness. read rest here

Then from the Telegraph, about Jasmine:

 

The sweet smell of jasmine is as good as valium at calming the nerves with none of the side effects, according to new research. Laboratory tests found the fragrance and its chemical substitute dramatically calmed mice when their cage was filled with it, causing them to cease all activity and sit quietly in a corner.

 

When the air was breathed in the scent molecules went from the lungs into the blood and were then transmitted to the brain.

 

Brain scans showed the effect on a chemical called GABA on nerve cells was enhanced by the fragrances and helped soothe, relieve anxiety and promote rest. — Professor Hanns Hatt said the results published online in the Journal of Biological Chemistry can “be seen as evidence of a scientific basis for aromatherapy”. (read rest here)

 

And the same story from ScienceDaily here: Intoxicating Fragrance: Jasmine as Valium Substitute

 

Note: for anyone in benzo withdrawal illness be careful with aromatherapy. Some of us become very sensitive to various chemicals as well as scents and if Jasmine is, indeed, involved with the GABA receptors then those of us with Benzo damage could react badly. A lot of people with benzo illness can’t take any sort of supplement that engages GABA receptors without an extreme reaction. The time to take advantage of these wonderful natural scents and remedies is BEFORE one has been damaged by drugs…in order that one might NEVER be damaged by drugs. See: Multiple Drug Sensitivity (which also effects many in other psych medication withdrawal too)

 

A nice way to use an essential oil of your choice: Need to relax? Here’s one wonderful way

 

For more information on Benzodiazepines and why you might want to avoid their use see here: Benzo Info

____

[Barbarannamated]

Great info, as always, Gia!

 

I've used aromatherapy for many years, starting with horses. I've worked with gaited horses and relaxation is essential. One case stands out in my mind: someone was trying a Tennessee Walker to buy. Horse was tense, not flowing in stride, making it a rough ride (should be smooth). I pulled out my lavender and gave him a whiff. He immediately relaxed in demeanor and muscles. I was amazed!

Each horse is different, as are humans, in what we respond to. I like the energizing effects of citrus or mandarin. Haven't tried jasmine, but love the real flowers!

[Altostrata]

Ummmmm, the smell of horses....

[Jemima]

Ummmmm, the smell of horses....

 

I'm cracking up laughing....

[Jemima]

I've been reading everything I can find about herbal medicine and one of the books or articles I read recently commented that lavender contains a mild opiate. I've always loved the fragrance and was very disappointed when Yardley's Lavender Cologne smelled altogether different on my skin.

 

I also have a recipe for a lavender cordial that is quite good. Surpisingly, lavender has a mild anise taste - after being soaked in a fifth of vodka and a cup of sugar syrup for a month, anyway.

 

Haven't come across anything about horses and their by-products yet....

[bubbles]

Thanks for the article!

 

I have been using lavender oil for several months now and I can't say if it is helping me to sleep, but I am sleeping well. Just a blob on a tissue next to my bed. I've had one batch of lavender oil that smelled so bad, though, that I had to toss it. No idea if it was a differend kind or if it was off, but I couldn't stand it.

 

I have also been using a burner (the kind with water in the top and a candle below that) and mixing various recipes that I've found online. My favourite one at the moment is 2 drops of bergamot, 2 drops of frankincence (original recipe said 1 drop of this) and 2 drops of clary sage. It is supposed to help anxiety/depression. It smells wonderful.

 

B

[bubbles]

And I will pick up some jasmine oil next time I'm out! Sounds worth a try to me next time I get a panic.

[Altostrata]

I'm allergic to lavender oil but I'm going to grow lavender in the backyard. It will be beautiful if it's full of lavender. We've got jasmine back there, too.

[Shanti]

This is great info GiaK! I love Lavender too. Years ago I tried smoking it when I was trying to quit smoking tobacco. I don't recommend that. lol

 

One incense that really helps my nerves is Frankincense. I think I brought this up before, but worth saying again. I notice much calmness in my nerves when I burn it.

[Barbarannamated]

I'm allergic to lavender oil but I'm going to grow lavender in the backyard. It will be beautiful if it's full of lavender. We've got jasmine back there, too.

 

I have some fertilizer for ya!

[Jemima]

I'm allergic to lavender oil but I'm going to grow lavender in the backyard. It will be beautiful if it's full of lavender. We've got jasmine back there, too.

 

I bought some lavender plants last year and they're going gangbusters. They haven't flowered yet, but even the leaves have that lovely smell and they look very good all by themselves. Herbs can usually be grown just about everywhere with no special care.

[Altostrata]

Great, Barb, just back your horse up to my garden!

[bubbles]

I took lavendar cuttings from my mom's plant last year and I've got about 10 plants coming along now. I love lavendar. I wasn't going to have jasmine in the garden because I think it can go a bit wild here, but I'll check that out. If it can be kept a bit tame I'll put some outside my bedroom window!

 

I bought some jasmine oil today and it is about 2.5% dilute in jojoba oil. It is a pretty powerful scent at that dilution and it was the same kind of price as pure oils of other kinds. I assume it is so strong/expensive an oil that they dilute it? Does anyone know?

[bubbles]

This is interesting, it seems that it isn't referring to what I know as jasmine, rather a kind of gardenia. That's better in my garden.

[Barbarannamated]

Bubbles,

I've never looked at jasmine, but some pure oils are much more expensive than others. I believe it is Chamomile that's ~ $30 for the small bottle. Lavendar and orange are usually $10 or less. I assume price is based on availability.

Maybe i'll go park in an orange grove tomorrow and breathe! I've always loved the smell of orange blossoms.

[Altostrata]

bubbles, lavender will grow from cuttings? Hmmm, I can borrow some from my neighbors.

 

Yes, our jasmine sends suckers out all over the yard. I have to tear them out or they'll twine all over the roses.

[bubbles]

Alto, I've had mixed results with lavender. I took dozens of cuttings, and put them in 2 large pots. In one pot I tried the honey-as-a-rooting-medium thing, and they all died. In the other pot I just stuck them in. About 2/3 of them struck roots and I've not got about 10 that look great. I tried from a different kind of bush a few months later, and zero success. I would probably try a purchased rooting hormone (or willow water if you have access to willow) another time.

[Altostrata]

Thanks for the tips. I got some seed but would rather start with plants that have shown they're adapted to the climate here. I'll steal -- oops, I mean borrow -- some cuttings.

[alwayslookup]

I tried both. Jasmine made me feel weird and have nausea, but lavender was okay. Though I will try again with a diffuser to see how it goes.

 

But the thing that is worrying me is your caution about avoiding stuff that influences the GABA receptors directly (for those of us with benzo damage). I mean I can testify that it is an issue. I reacted badly to some strong GABA agonists like taurine, theanine. But I am not sure about these weaker ones. Should I avoid them even if they seem to help a bit with anxiety? Because some of them indeed seem to help (like Lemon Balm and Camomille too)

 

I also found a very long thread somewhere that actually warns people in benzo withdrawal from staying away from these things because they may further down-regulate the receptors. This issue is very important to me because now I stay away from some of these things just because of that thread, even though I wish I could use them because they seem to help a bit. 

 

I did start a thread in the benzo section about this issue but nobody seemed to reply so far  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8146-prolonged-benzo-withdrawal-discussion/

I would be very thankful if somebody would look into this issue too...