Evidence supporting the use of: Lavender
For the health condition: Hysteria

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a long-standing history in traditional European herbal medicine for its calming and sedative properties. Its use to treat "hysteria"—a historical term once used to describe a range of psychological symptoms, particularly in women—dates back to at least the Middle Ages. Physicians and herbalists often prescribed lavender in the form of dried flowers, essential oils, or teas to alleviate nervousness, restlessness, and emotional disturbances associated with hysteria. The aromatic qualities of lavender were thought to soothe the mind and body, and it was common to include lavender in sachets, baths, or inhalations for this purpose.

While current scientific research supports the anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and mild sedative effects of lavender, especially in the context of general anxiety and sleep disorders, there is no direct clinical evidence supporting its use specifically for "hysteria" as historically defined. The term "hysteria" is now considered outdated and has been replaced by more precise psychiatric diagnoses. Nevertheless, the traditional use of lavender for calming symptoms overlaps with modern indications for anxiety and stress. Thus, its use for "hysteria" is primarily justified by tradition, with a modest level of supporting evidence rooted in its general calming effects.

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