Application of Lavender in Integrative Medicine: From Aromatherapy to Potential Anticancer Treatment

Gabriella Trettel Dermondes and Clélia Rejane Antonio Bertoncini

Department of Gynecology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil Center for the Development of Experimental Models for Biology and Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil

^*Correspondance to: Clélia Rejane Antonio Bertoncini 

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Abstract:

The aromatic and medicinal properties of lavender have been used since ancient times. Essential Oils (OE) have shown analgesic, pesticide, antispasmodic and antimicrobial effects. Anxiolytic effect EO of the species Lavandula angustifolia has been demonstrated in preclinical studies in animal models of anxiety. Among the isolated components from lavender, the most studied is linalool, a terpene, which seems to be the responsible for the major beneficial effects, such as antiallergenic, antiinflammatory, nociceptive and antitumor growth. Linalool has also been described to be antioxidant, anxiolytic, analgesic, and to possess anesthetic activity. It also largely prevented microbial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Other lavender EO such as silexan is effective in controlling generalized anxiety. Lavender has been increasingly used as an integrative medicine for patients in different situations, mainly those associated with pain, such as gynecological examination, dysmenorrhea, arthritis and cancer. This review points out to the recent therapeutic action of lavender essential oils on cancer. Indeed, several research groups have been focusing on elucidating the mechanism underlying the action of essential oils in cancer cells, especially those related to antioxidant and antiproliferative aspects.

Keywords:

Anxiety; Cancer; Clinical trials; Essential oils; Linalool

Cite the Article:

Dermondes GT, Antonio Bertoncini CR. Application of Lavender in Integrative Medicine: From Aromatherapy to Potential Anticancer Treatment. Clin Oncol. 2020; 5: 1740.