Research Article

Lavender: A Beneficial Herb for Postnatal Mothers

Rizu Negi1, Manju Chhugani2, Somibala Thokchom3, Anju Hooda4
Abstract
The postpartum period or postnatal period is the period beginning immediately after the birth of a
child and extending for about six weeks. It is a critical phase in the lives of mothers and newborn
babies. Most maternal and infant deaths occur during this time. Yet, this is the most neglected
period for the provision of quality care. Childbirth and the responsibilities of parenting after birth
require a great deal of energy. In this period, the mother faces problems like fatigue, sleep
disturbance and problem with maternal infant attachment. So for treating this problem, various non-
pharmacological methods are accepted like yoga, meditation, aromatherapy and many other
alternative therapies. Lavender inhalation aromatherapy is widely believed to impart a hypnotic
effect, act as a mood stabilizer, and enhance the positive feelings of mothers toward their infants.
However, research into these and other potential therapeutic effects of lavender tea has been
limited.

Keywords: Lavender tea, Postpartum fatigue, Sleep disturbance, Maternal-infant attachment

Introduction
In pregnancy, reproductive hormone levels in a woman’s body are 20–30 times greater than normal. At delivery,
hormone levels drop abruptly, along with changes in amino acids, neurotransmitters, and thyroid hormones. The
sudden drop in estrogen, progesterone, endorphins, and other hormones may trigger fatigue, the same way
moodiness may be triggered by premenstrual changes in these hormones.1 Many women feel exhausted after labor
and delivery and may need a long time to fully recover. New mothers rarely get adequate rest. In the hospital, they
are awakened by nurses and the baby’s feedings. At home, feedings continue every 2–4 hours, around the clock, along
with usual household tasks. This extreme lack of sleep continues for weeks and months and can be a major reason for
fatigue and mother and infant detachment.2

Lavender on Sleep, Depressive Symptoms and Maternal-Infant Attachment

Lavender covers about 28 native species and 300 hybrids in the Lamiaceae family of herbaceous plants.4 Although all
lavenders share similar ethnobotanical properties and major chemical constituents, there are some differences.3

The different species of lavender have a therapeutic effect on postnatal fatigue, depression, and maternal-infant
attachment. Lavender oil is traditionally believed to be an antibacterial, antifungal, carminative (smooth muscle
relaxing), sedative, and anti-depressive agent; and an effective treatment for burns and insect bites.4
1
M.Sc. Nursing Student, 2Principal, 3,4Tutor, Rufaida College of Nursing, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
Correspondence: Ms. Rizu Negi, Rufaida College of Nursing, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
E-mail Id: rizu1392@gmail.com
Orcid Id: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3188-588X

How to cite this article: Negi R, Chhugani M, Thokchom S et al. Lavender: A Beneficial Herb for Postnatal Mothers. Int J Nurs
Midwif Res 2017; 4(1): 40-42.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): https://doi.org/10.24321/2455.9318.201707

ISSN: 2455-9318

© ADR Journals 2017. All Rights Reserved.

Int. J. Nurs. Midwif. Res. 2017; 4(1)
The active ingredients of lavender are linalool and linalyl
acetate, which are rapidly absorbed through the skin
and reach peak plasma levels after approximately 19
minutes.5
The metabolic time for using essential oils is about 2
hours. Linalyl acetate has narcotic actions, and linalool
acts as a sedative. Linalool has an effect that is similar to
Phenobarbital.6
However, caution has been advised in the selection of
lavender species because one case report noted that
drinking lavender stoechas (Buckwheat grass) tea
triggered anticholinergic syndrome and supraventricular
tachycardia.
The literature on nonpharmacological interventions
indicates that lavender oil may have greater
acceptability and be safe for treating mild to moderate
sleep disturbances.7
Most studies on lavender focus on its aroma-therapeutic
effect in terms of facilitating sleep. Some positive
objective outcomes for lavender inhalation have been
reported. Pleasant lavender odorant-modified
respiration during sleep has reportedly improved sleep
quality in younger people with mild insomnia in adult or
midlife women with insomnia and in young healthy
sleepers.8
Lavender increased stage-2 sleep and decreased rapid-
eye movement sleep in women and had the opposite
effect in men. Hudson (1996) also found that lavender
was effective in helping the long-term hospitalized
elderly people to achieve better night time sleep quality
and better alertness during the daytime. However, one
study reported that administering lavender odorant
during sleep successfully elevated mood, but had no
other effect on sleep quality, cognitive function, or
alertness.8
Lavender is a traditional herbal remedy that is believed
to “strengthen the nervous system.” A pilot study
reported that lavender aromatherapy had a positive
effect on mood disorders and decreased psychological
distress on long-stay neurology inpatients. Clinical trials
that compared the effect of lavender and
antidepressants in the treatment of mild to major
depression found that the combination of
antidepressant and lavender (taken as a tincture, oil
capsule, or mill infusion) was significantly more effective
than using antidepressant alone, with no side effects
reported among participant cases.
Postpartum depression in mothers has been shown to
negatively impact parent-infant bonding for up to 1 year
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Negi R et al.
postpartum). Imura et al. reported that lavender
aromatherapy massage in healthy postpartum mothers
had an antidepressant effect and significantly increased
vigor as well as the “approach feeling” toward the
infant.8
One study found that the mothers with very young
infants in the lavender-scented bath oil group were
more relaxed, smiled more, and touched their infants
more during bathing.8
Although it contains the same ingredients, herbal tea
has milder effects than essential oil. Therefore, herbal
tea carries a lower risk as a stimulant and as a cause of
allergic reactions. For healthcare professionals,
integrating scientific research results into clinical
practice offers an effective method for resolving
dilemmas in healthcare. The therapeutic effects of
lavender tea have not previously been tested
scientifically in healthcare, nursing, or epidemiological
studies. This study tests the effects of single-ingredient
lavender tea on postpartum fatigue, depression,
maternal-infant attachment, and sleep quality.9
Negi et al. conducted a study in New Delhi to evaluate
the effectiveness of lavender tea in relieving fatigue,
enhancing sleep quality and in improving maternal-
infant attachment during the postpartum period.10 A
total of 60 Indian postnatal women with no history of
allergy to herbal teas, foods, or medicines were assigned
systematically to either the experimental group (n=30)
or the control group (n=30). The participants in the
experimental group were instructed to drink one cup of
lavender tea after spending time to appreciate and
smell the aroma each day for a period of 2 weeks,
whereas their control group received regular
postpartum care only. The Lee fatigue scale, Postnatal
sleep quality scale and Postpartum Bonding
Questionnaire were used to assess outcomes. Data
gathered were analyzed and interpreted using
descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean post
fatigue score of the postnatal mothers in experimental
group (38.93) was lower than the control group (119.5)
with a mean difference of 80.57. The obtained ‘t’ value
of 21.5 was significant at 0.05 level. The mean post-
sleep quality level of the postnatal mothers in
experimental group (3.93) was lower than the control
group (15.86) with a mean difference of 11.93. The
obtained ‘t’ value of 26.5 was significant at 0.05 level
and the mean post-maternal infant attachment of the
postnatal mothers in experimental group (28.72) was
lower than control group (69.55) with a mean difference
of 40.8. The obtained ‘t’ value of 7 was significant at
0.05 level. This indicates that administration of lavender
tea to postnatal mothers in experimental group for 14
ISSN: 2455-9318
Negi R et al.
consecutive days was to be effective in decreasing
fatigue level, improving sleep quality and improving
maternal infant attachment of postnatal mothers
whereas in control group regular postpartum care was
found not effective in improving maternal infant
attachment.
Conclusion
As you can see, lavender tea has lots of benefits. The
most important positive effects are improvement of
symptoms of insomnia, fatigue, depression and
maternal infant attachment. You should always consult
your physician and ask him or her for permission to
drink or use any lavender-based products. If you drink
lavender tea with moderation, it may have a positive
effect on your overall health.
Conflict of Interest: None
References
1. Lee SH. Effects of aroma inhalation on fatigue and
sleep quality of postpartum mothers. Korean
ISSN: 2455-9318
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International Journal of Current Research 2017;
9(3): 47561-65.
Date of Submission: 07th Mar. 2017
Date of Acceptance: 03th Jun 2017
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