Insights & Discussion
Lavender demonstrates significant benefits for pain relief and episiotomy wound healing in postpartum.
This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO, analyzed six studies after screening 57 potentially relevant ones. Lavender was found to significantly reduce pain and accelerate healing of episiotomy wounds. Perineal pain, often stemming from perineal trauma like episiotomies, can impede mobility and daily activities for postpartum mothers. The study suggests routine Lavender use post-delivery for potential benefits, but acknowledges the need for further research due to observed heterogeneity in results. It emphasizes caution in interpreting Lavender's effects on episiotomy healing.
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Meta-analysis revealed that lavender, particularly L. angustifolia, significantly reduces stress, making it a potentially valuable component in stress management programs.
2022 Complementary Therapies in Medicine The effect of lavender on stress in individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis Ghavami T, Kazeminia M, Rajati F
Systematic Review Lavender Stress
Results found that lavender significantly reduced stress levels, with a decrease in the intervention group compared to the control group. Subgroup analysis revealed that L. angustifolia species, aromatherapy as a delivery method, and student populations showed the most significant stress reduction effects.
Inhalation and massage therapy with lavender essential oil significantly mitigates perceived labour pain in women.
2022 Explore: The Journal of Science & Healing Determining the effect of inhalation and lavender essential oil massage therapy on the severity of perceived labor pain in primiparous women: A randomized controlled trial Karatopuk S, Yarıcı F
Randomised Controlled Trial Labour Pain Lavender
The study was implemented using a random controlled trial on pregnant women divided into three groups – a control group, a group for lavender essence inhalation and a third group for lavender essence massage. After being divided into their respective groups, the first stage of labour was divided into three phases – early, active and transition – during which the interventions were applied. In the massage group, sacral compression and lower back massage were given, incorporating 2 drops of lavender oil in each labour phase. For the inhalation group, 2 drops of lavender oil were dripped onto the palms of the participants, who were then asked to inhale it for 3 minutes. Individual information was gathered through formats like the Personal Information Form, Visual Analogue Scale and Postpartum Assessment of Women Survey.
The results showed that women who underwent inhalation and massage therapies with lavender essential oil experienced less severe labour pain as compared to the control group. It was also discovered that the lavender oil inhalation was notably beneficial during the latent phase of labour whilst massage therapy demonstrated greater effectiveness during the active and transition periods. Therefore, incorporating lavender oil via massage therapy and inhalation methods during labour and delivery is highly recommended as a supplementary method to manage labour pain.
Aromatherapy, specifically lavender, appears to be an effective, affordable, and holistic approach to reducing the length of labour in expectant women.
2022 Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Effectiveness of aromatherapy in reducing duration of labour: a systematic review Ghiasi A, Bagheri L, Sharaflari F
Systematic Review Aromatherapy Labour Induction Lavender
The research executed a systematic review of clinical trial studies regarding the use of aromatherapy in labour augmentation, sourced from diverse databases including Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, Google scholar, Irandoc, Science direct, Magiran and Sid up until September 2021. 22 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were examined, with the reported experiences of 3234 women who employed a variety of aromatherapies forming the analysis base.
In discussing the results, it was observed that certain aromatherapies notably lavender, showed efficacy in decreasing labour time for women. However, the paper emphasized the importance of prudent use of aromatherapy, most probably owing to the varying individual responses and potential for allergic reactions to such holistic interventions.
Lavender aromatherapy, whether administered through massage or inhalation, appears effective in reducing active phase labor pain.
2021 Disease and Diagnosis Effect of Aromatherapy with Lavender on Labor Pain: A Literature Review Hatami Rad R
Review Article Labour Pain Lavender
The researchers conducted their study by performing a detailed search using a number of specific keywords such as lavender, childbirth, labor, pregnancy, labor pain, aromatherapy, and delivery across multiple databases. These databases included MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Using these keywords they extracted relevant data from the seven most reliable studies they found, two of which originated in Egypt and Indonesia, and remaining five in Iran. The chosen studies depicted a range of qualities, with some using massage aromatherapy, and others applying inhalation as their method of practice.
In analyzing these studies, it was found that all of them indicated that lavender aromatherapy, regardless of whether it was applied via massage or inhalation, had the potential to lessen the pain felt during the active phase of labor. The studies provided basis for insightful consideration of the application of lavender aromatherapy as a viable method for managing labor pain.
Lavandula angustifolia essential oil inhalation seemed to enhance overall sleep patterns, quality, and efficiency in postmenopausal women with insomnia.
2021 Complementary Therapies in Medicine Lavender essential oil on postmenopausal women with insomnia: Double-blind randomized trial dos Reis Lucena L, dos Santos-Junior JG, Tufik S, Hachul H
Randomised Controlled Trial Insomnia Lavender Sleep
Methodology: 35 postmenopausal women, clinically diagnosed with insomnia, were recruited and divided into two groups - an Aroma Group and a Placebo Group - for a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Over 29 days, participants in the Placebo Group inhaled sunflower oil, while participants in the Aroma Group inhaled lavender oil. Both groups were given sleep hygiene guidelines before embarking on the trial and received follow-up on a weekly basis. Evaluations were performed both pre- and post-intervention.
Discussion of Results: No significant differences were noted between the two groups in terms of sleep quality. However, certain tendencies were observed. Aroma Group participants showed a noteworthy reduction in the time taken to fall asleep, depression levels and postmenopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Moreover, polysomnography data showed increased sleep efficiency in comparison to initial levels. The improvement in sleep quality over time was observed in both groups, indicating that sleep hygiene instruction and weekly follow-ups played a significant role in influencing sleep patterns and quality.
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