This document discusses the herbal medicine lavender. It notes that lavender has constituents like linalool and linalyl acetate that have sedative, anxiolytic, anti-depressive, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Some of lavender's actions include being sedative, anxiolytic, pain relieving, antiseptic, and wound healing. The document outlines lavender's uses for conditions like insomnia, anxiety, pain, infections, and more. It also discusses lavender's mechanisms of action, dosing methods like oral capsules and diffusers, and Egyptian pharmaceutical products containing lavender.

1. HERBAL MEDICINE
INTRODUCTION
DR. MOSTAFA MAHMOUD HEGAZY PH.D

2. Herbal medicine Dr. Mostafa Hegazy
‫الخزامى‬ ‫أو‬ ‫الالفندر‬
English lavender, French lavender, and true lavender.
Lavandula angustifolia (L. officinalis)
Constituents:
Essential oil (linalyl acetate 33% and R-(−)-Linalool 30%.)
Active Constituents:
Linalool:
Antiseptic event for resistant bacteria, Analgesic and CNS
depressing effect.
linalyl acetate:
Antifungal, Reduces stress, Pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea
and Reduce serum cortisol in healthy men
linalyl acetate and linalool showed local anesthetic activity.

3. Herbal medicine Dr. Mostafa Hegazy
Main Actions
1- Sedative and anxiolytic:
2- anti-depressive and mood elevating
Other actions
3- Effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
4-Skin:
A- Antiseptic: antibacterial (resistant to antibiotics) such
as (MRSA), antifungal and antiviral activity
Essential oils “represent a cheap and effective treatment option
even for antibiotic resistant strains.”
B- Wound healing agent.
C- increases local blood circulation.
5-Carminative and as a flavoring agent.
6- Antispasmodic for Pain Spasm

4. Herbal medicine Dr. Mostafa Hegazy
Uses based on scientific research
1- Nervous system
A- Insomnia.
B- Mood improving and increasing concentration.
C- Anxiety of different causes and ages: Stress of work, students’
stress, panic attack and for Hospitalized and outpatients.
2- Skin: acne, Infected Eczema, insect repellent, in pharmaceutical
preparations for odor and relaxing effects.
3- women’s health (anxiety, pain and life quality)
1-improving quality of life among postmenopausal women
2-Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
3-postpartum depression in high-risk women
4-dysmenorrhea
4- Pain relief: Arthritis, Knee osteoarthritis, Back, Neck/shoulder and
Postoperative pain.

5. Herbal medicine Dr. Mostafa Hegazy
Uses based on scientific research (cont.)
5- Haemodialysis patients (Anxiety and pain during
vascular access)
6- Dental clinic patients (Anxiety and pain in children)
7- Elderly insomnia to improve night sleep which in turn
improve day alertness and concentration (dementia), also
decreases agitations, and falls
8- Pediatrics: relaxing massage for foot to sleep
9- Essential hypertension

6. Herbal medicine Dr. Mostafa Hegazy
Mechanism of action
1- Sedative and anxiolytic:
A- inhibition of glutamate binding in the cerebral cortex.
B- serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) receptor agonist effect like buspirone in the
anxiolytic.
C- GABA potentiation effect.
Inhaled lavender had a calming effect on the amygdala like
benzodiazepine.
D- increase in blood melatonin levels.
2- Anti-depressive and mood elevating
A- serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) receptor agonist effect like buspirone in the
anxiolytic.
B- mood alleviating effects: interferences with tryptophan
catabolism by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO).

7. Herbal medicine Dr. Mostafa Hegazy
Mechanism of action (cont.)
3- Wound healing agent: lavender oil has the potential to promote
wound healing in the early phase by acceleration of formation of
granulation tissue, tissue remodeling by collagen replacement and
wound contraction through up-regulation of transforming growth
factor-β (TGF-β). Topical application of lavender oil promoted
collagen synthesis and differentiation of fibroblasts, accompanied
by up-regulation of TGF-β.
4- Analgesic: This linalool acts on several receptors, namely
opioids, adenosine A1 and A2, and cholinergic M2, and it produces
changes in potassium (K+) channels.
Route of administration
linalyl acetate and linalool (two major components in lavender
essential oil) can be found in the bloodstream after inhalation,
topical (internal or external) application, or ingestion.

8. Herbal medicine Dr. Mostafa Hegazy
Dose generally and Preparation method
1- Whole herb: 1- 2 teaspoonful (5-10 gm) infusion 1-3
times. The least dose if the herb rich with flowers which
preferable more.
2- Pure flowers: 0.5-1 gm (1/4 teaspoon) infusion 1-3 times
up to 2 months
3- Essential oil:( sedative and hypnotic)
Oral (DIY)
Oral doses of lavender (diluted 1:60 in olive oil) had marked
sedative effects (5ml and 10 of preparation contain 83 and 166
mg of lavender, respectively). 5 ml after breakfast and dinner
for 2 months or 10 ml after dinner like Silexan cap.

9. Herbal medicine Dr. Mostafa Hegazy
Dose generally and Preparation method (cont.)
Oral Capsules
Silexan administered for 6 weeks was shown to be as effective
as 0.5 mg of lorazepam (and as safe) in patients suffering
from GAD. Additionally, a significant effect and better
tolerability of Silexan compared to paroxetine
Results revealed statistically significant effect of silexan 160
mg versus placebo, silexan 80 mg and paroxetine 20 mg.
Absence of a dependency potential of Silexan® (80 or 160
mg lavender oil).

10. Herbal medicine Dr. Mostafa Hegazy
Dose generally and Preparation method (cont.)
Diffuser: Sprinkle 3-5 drops of essential oil in water and allow it to
diffuse throughout a room. Depending on the oil, this can help
promote relaxation during the day.
Roll-on or spray: 3% (6 drops 10 ml carrier oil or alcohol)
Relaxing Massage: 2% (4 drops 10 ml or 2ml/ 100 ml carrier oil)
Dilute the oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut, jojoba, almond, or
evening primrose oil. Either apply to pulse points or massage all or
part of the body.

11. Herbal medicine Dr. Mostafa Hegazy
Egyptian pharmaceutical products .
Imtenan® herbal tea (lavender with chamomile) and
lavender soap.
Areej® lavender EO, lavender bath bomb, lavender
bath salt and face scrub.
Practical part for special preparation
Lavender water
Lavender relaxing massage oil
Lavender spray
References: In the detailed file.

12. Herbal medicine Dr. Mostafa Hegazy