Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Lavender oil improves a feeling of well being.

Ever hear of dopamine? Dopamine is a chemical compound released in the brain in response to positive experiences such as food, sex, friendship, drugs, which gives one a feeling of reward and well being. Lavender has proven to affect dopamine release, creating that positive feeling.


References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article.
The results indicate that altered dopamine D3 receptor subtype homeostasis in the olfactory bulb may contribute to lavender oil-induced behavioral change.
Keimyung University , aDepartment of Public Health, Keimyung University, Taegu 704-701, Republic of Korea, 26 June 2009.

Sonoma Lavender product recommendations for well being:
Elevate your mood with Sonoma Lavender spray mist. Helps cranky kids, too.
Travel with lavender-filled travel pillow, sleep mask or accessories.
Heat or chill a lavender neck pillow.
Give yourself a handmassage with lavender hand creme.

Monday, June 13, 2011

The ambient odor of lavender reduces anxiety and improves mood.

A recent medical study proved that lavender reduces anxiety and improves one’s mood. Heady findings. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of lavender on anxiety, mood, alertness and calmness in dental patients. Two hundred patients between the ages of 18 and 77 years (half women, half men) were assigned to four independent groups. Patients were stimulated with the ambient odor of lavender. These conditions were compared to a music condition and a control condition (no odor, no music).

Anxiety, mood, alertness and calmness were assessed while patients waited for dental treatment. Statistical analyses revealed that compared to control condition lavender reduced anxiety and improved mood in patients waiting for dental treatment. These findings support the previous opinion that odors are capable of altering emotional states and may indicate that the use of odors is helpful in reducing anxiety in dental patients.
J. Lehrnera, , G. Marwinskic, S. Lehrb, PJohrend and L. Deeckea aUniversity Clinic of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
Department of Medical Statistics, Medical University of Vienna, Austria, University Witten Herdecke,Germany 10 August 2005.
For more information, go to SCIENCEDIRECT.COM

Recommended Sonoma Lavender products to reduce anxiety and improve mood:

Lavender Eye Pillow or Sleepmask: Relax with a lavender eye pillow or sleepmask.. The aromatherapy of the lavender relaxes while you shut out the light and relax your eyes.

Lavender stuffed animal- great for any age. The scent of lavender soothes and relaxes.

Lavender diffuser- the scent of lavender wafts through the air.

Lavender neckpillow, heatwrap or spa mask- heat for extra aromatherapy.