Transition of traditional lavender EOs to the modern therapeutic practices

Natural products such as plants, animals, microorganisms, marine organisms have been used by humans to alleviate and treat diseases since the prehistoric ages which could be tracked back in 60,000 years. Traditional medicines have been practiced everywhere in the world; however, the most prominent ones are traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda in India, Kampo in Japan, Unani in Greek/Arabic, etc. A new study has revealed that 80% compounds of the current pharmaceutical compounds are one way, or another related to the natural sources. Lavenders, the genus Lavandula and a family of Lamiaceae, is a woody shrub, which are grown around the globe in diverse agro-ecologies mostly known for its essential oil composed of 30 – 40 aromatic compounds. Lavender essential oils (EOs) have long been natural remedies for various ailments. They possess potent calming and sedative effects, making them popular in aroma-therapeutic practices, as well as in cosmetic and food industries. Lavender EO quality depends on the composition of linalool, linalool acetate and camphor. Linalool and linalool acetate being favored in the cosmetic industries are termed true lavender oil compounds, and camphor, 1,8-cineole are being used mostly in the ointments and balms. Recent genomic and proteomic studies revealed all the structural and regulatory information related to lavender EO biosynthesis, also evident the relationship of lavender aromatic compounds in the benefit of human health. Information of secondary metabolites in lavenders or any medicinal plants will be important to formulate the natural health products based on the requirement.