Lavender is a small aromatic evergreen shrub of the mint family, with narrow leaves and bluish-purple flowers. Lavender has been widely used in perfumery and medicine since ancient times.
Lavender contains an oil that seems to have sedating effects and might relax certain muscles. It's aroma has been shown in human studies to slow down heart rate, slow blood pressure and put you in a parasympathetic state, which is a relaxed state.
Researchers monitored the brain waves of subjects at night and found that those who sniffed lavender before bed had more deep sleep and felt more energetic in the morning. Another study of infants found that they cried less and slept more deeply after a bath with lavender scented oils. The scent helps to calm the mind.
If you suffer with terrible headaches and migraines at night, the sweet aroma of lavender is a safe and natural way to relax muscle tension and ease migraine pain.
"Sleep is the best meditation." - Dalai Lama