Unveiling the Soothing Power of Lavender
Lavender is known for much more than its pleasant smell; it has genuine calming effects. Drinking lavender tea is a common way to relax, and science supports its soothing and calming influence when inhaled. Due to these relaxing properties, researchers are exploring how lavender can positively impact conditions that lead to weight gain.
How Is Lavender Essential Oil Linked to Weight Loss?
Weight gain is influenced by various factors, and addressing it usually requires a comprehensive approach. Some herbs block sugar absorption to prevent fat storage, others boost metabolism, and some work by suppressing appetite. Overeating often results from anxiety or depression, and lavender essential oil shows promise in alleviating these conditions that contribute to overeating.
The National Centre for Eating Disorders indicates that anxiety disorders and compulsive overeating often go hand-in-hand. Lavender oil has been found to help with mild anxiety symptoms, and it may benefit those with generalized anxiety disorder. A 2010 controlled clinical study compared the effects of lavender oil to lorazepam, a commonly prescribed benzodiazepine, showing that lavender oil was nearly as effective for many subjects.
Further research published in “International Clinical Pharmacology” revealed that subjects given 80 mg of lavender oil daily experienced significant reductions in anxiety levels compared to those given a placebo. It’s important to note that most lavender studies focus on the oil instead of the tea because it’s easier to measure the active compounds people consume.
Moreover, lavender essential oil has been shown to improve sleep quality, and there is a direct connection between good sleep patterns and weight loss.
Other herbs beneficial for weight loss include green coffee bean, uva-ursi, gymnema, damiana, and hoodia gordonii.
Incorporating lavender into a comprehensive weight loss strategy can be advantageous. Turning to lavender instead of high-calorie snacks during moments of anxiety or the urge to overeat might offer a helpful alternative.
