Studies iwith lavender and wound healing, but what about in humans? Here is what research has shown:

• A study published in The Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care looked at the effectiveness of calendula ointment on Cesarean-section (C-section) scars in 72 women. Compared to getting the standard hospital treatment for the wound, the women who were treated with calendula ointment healed faster and reported that their incisions were less red and swollen.7
• In a 2016 study published in The Journal of Wound Care, researchers used Calendula officinalis extract on people with venous ulcers on their legs. The researchers measured "healing velocity" in a week and found that the people who were treated with calendula had a 7.4% healing velocity, while the people who did not use the extract only had a healing velocity of about 1.7%. The researchers also noted that there weren't any bad side effects of using the extract.8
• Other studies have suggested that using a calendula spray in addition to standard care and hygiene might prevent infection and decrease odor in people with long-term foot ulcers from diabetes.9

Why Foot Care Is Important If You Have Diabetes

Calendula is often marketed as a treatment for eczema and dermatitis, but there is not much research supporting its effectiveness for these conditions.

Since the plant has anti-inflammatory properties, putting it on areas affected by skin conditions may reduce inflammation. However, there is no real evidence that doing so works or that it's safe.

The use of calendula could be irritating for children with severe eczema, especially if they have an allergy to ragweed, daisies, marigold, or any other plant in the same family as calendula.

Ask your pediatrician before using calendula on your child's skin.

Using calendula creams on diaper rash could be more helpful than other treatments like aloe vera gel, but research has shown it's not as good as using a bentonite solution.10

One study showed that when infants were treated with bentonite, 88% of the lesions got better within the first six hours, but only 54% of the lesions in the group treated with calendula did.

 Studies have shown that lavender, particularly when used in aromatherapy through inhalation, can be effective in reducing pain levels, with research indicating it may help alleviate pain from procedures like needle insertion, dressing changes, and even menstrual cramps, by promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety associated with pain perception; however, more research is needed to fully understand its efficacy across different pain types. Key points about lavender and pain:

• Mechanism:Lavender contains compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate, which have sedative and analgesic properties, contributing to its pain-relieving effects when inhaled or applied topically. 
• Applications:
  • Aromatherapy: Inhaling lavender essential oil through a diffuser or applying it directly to the skin through massage can be used to manage pain. 
  • Medical procedures: Some studies suggest lavender can help reduce pain during procedures like catheter insertion or blood draws. 
  • Chronic pain: Lavender may be beneficial for managing chronic pain conditions like headaches, menstrual cramps, and osteoarthritis pain. 
• Evidence:
  • Clinical trials: Several studies have shown a significant reduction in pain scores when lavender aromatherapy was used compared to a placebo group. 
  • Mechanism studies: Research is exploring how lavender interacts with the nervous system to potentially reduce pain perception. 

Important considerations:

• Consult a healthcare professional:Before using lavender for pain relief, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications, consult your doctor to ensure it is safe for you. 
• Dosage and application:Follow recommended guidelines for using lavender essential oil, as excessive use can be irritating. 
• Individual response:The effectiveness of lavender for pain relief may vary between individuals.

Maria Grabnar 1, Mary Joan Roach 1, Alaa Abd-Elsayed 2, Chong Kim 1,✉

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PMCID: PMC8675619  PMID: 34984050

Background: To reduce pain and anxiety associated with interventional pain procedures, sedation is often used, with benzodiazepines, opioids, and propofol the most commonly used classes of drugs for sedation. However, patient coherence and ability to communicate procedural pain and abnormal sensations help prevent adverse outcomes. Therefore, discovering alternative therapies to mitigate the anxiety and pain associated with these procedures and to minimize risk is important. The aim of our study was to investigate whether lavender has an effect on pain and anxiety associated with lumbar epidural steroid injections and lumbar medial branch blocks.

Methods: In this randomized controlled study, 54 subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 intervention groups, and 46 patients were included in the final analysis: experimental lavender group (n=17), control almond oil group (n=15), and placebo sterile water group (n=14). Patients wore a mask infused with either lavender, almond oil, or water for 5 minutes prior to and during their procedure. Patients rated their anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory prior to and after the procedure based on how they felt during the procedure. Patients rated their pain according to the numerical rating scale. Outcome measures were a comparison of pain among the 3 groups and a comparison of the change in anxiety before and after the procedure among the 3 groups.

Results: The lavender group demonstrated the highest mean change in anxiety scores (9.9) compared to almond oil (5.3) and water (3.6) preprocedurally vs postprocedurally. The lavender group also reported the lowest mean pain level (3.8) compared to almond oil (5.6) and water (5.6). However, none of the differences between groups showed statistical significance at the P<0.05 level.

Conclusion: Lavender may have a clinically beneficial effect on anxiety levels and pain reduction.