Page 20 - Daggabay Magazine Issue 2
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Medicinal
Linalool terpene Anti-Inflammatory
Linalool is found in over 200 plant species aside Linalool exhibits all the characteristics and
from cannabis and has a litany of uses. As a properties associated with an anti-
naturally occurring terpene, linalool has a lovely inflammatory agent. Inflammation like
floral scent and is one of the principal pain, swelling, a sensation of heat and
ingredients in essential oils such as lavender. We redness. It is one of our body’s crucial
typically use it in up to 80% of aromatic hygiene defense systems, and it is often a beneficial
products. You also find it in cleaning agents like response. However, sometimes, it could
soaps, shampoos, essential oils, and detergents. cause chronic inflammatory conditions if
Here is a shortlist of some of linalool’s potential left untreated.
uses. There are a few studies that suggest
linalool’s anti-inflammatory effects, a
Painkiller study published in The Journal of Surgical
As a monoterpene compound, linalool is in a Research in March 2013. It looked at the
sizable portion of essential oils from plant anti-inflammatory effects of linalool. The
species that give off a sweet scent. Medicinally, research analyzed rats and found that
most of these plants are useful for their linalool inhibits inflammation in vitro and
painkilling properties. in vivo. The paper also suggested that it
It is also possible that the terpene’s pain-killing was a possible therapeutic candidate for
capacity is because it elevates adenosine levels, inflammatory disease treatment.
which is a brain chemical that blocks caffeine.
A 2007 study by Kim et al. found that in obese Sedative
patients who underwent gastric banding surgery Given lavender’s reputation for promoting
(and were exposed to linalool-containing restful sleep, it is hardly a surprise that we
lavender oil), only 46% required opioids after also know linalool for its sedative and
the procedure. This compared favorably to the calming effects.
control group, as 82% of them required pain Evidence of its sedative nature came
medication. almost by accident when a 2009 study
tried to find proof that linalool possessed
Alzheimer’s Disease anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties.
A further study, published in Instead, the research found that it had
Neuropharmacology in March 2016, suggests strong sedative qualities. There is also
that linalool is a viable treatment for evidence to suggest that linalool enhances
Alzheimer’s. It is a disease known for causing the effect of sedatives,
the build-up of cellular “tangles” and brain A more recent study by Takeda et al.,
plaque that results in the degeneration of the published in Evidence-Based
neurons and cerebral tissue. Complementary Alternative Medicine in
The study in question looked at mice. It found March 2017, looked at how inhalation
that the terpene reversed several cognitive and aromatherapy helped elderly volunteers
behavioral impairments associated with with insomnia. The researchers discovered
Alzheimer’s. It also reduced the number of that the act of sniffing lavender oil before
cellular tangles and brain plaques that are bed increased sleep quality. It also
commonly part of the condition. increased energy levels in the morning
after. Lavender contains a lot of linalool.
