Lavender
Lavandula officinalis syn. L. angustifolia
Lavender is common to all portions of southern Europe, but is extensively
cultivated elsewhere including in many of the southern and western United
States. Lavender prefers dry, sunny locations as a rule.
This small shrub with a woody stem averages between 6 and 24
inches in height, and has many branches. The leaves are opposite, very narrow,
anywhere from 3/4 to 2 inches in length, are gray-green in appearance, and
more or less tomentose.
Lavender flowers appear from June to September, but stay in bloom
a little longer with one species, (L. latifalia). They are small, baby-blue in
color:, strong-smelling, and culminate in spikes at the end of long stalks.
One species in particular (L.. angustifolia) has the finer odor. However, the
flowers of all lavender species yield a highly perfumed, colorless, volatile
oil that contains linalyle acetate and an hydroxycoumarin called herniarin.
Lavender has been one of the best loved scented herbs for thousands of years.
An infusion or tincture of lavender or inhalation of the essential oil has a
wonderfully relaxing effect on mind and body. Lavender makes
a good remedy for anxiety,
nervousness, and physical
symptoms caused by stress such as
tension headaches,
migraine, palpitations and
insomnia. Lavender oil
is considered a balancer to the
emotions, lifting the spirits, relieving depression and balancing inner
disharmony. Lavender also has a
stimulating edge to it, acting as a
tonic to the nervous system, restoring vitality to people suffering from
nervous exhaustion.
Lavender's relaxing effect can be
felt in the digestive tract, where it
soothes spasm and colic related to
tension and anxiety and relieves
distension, flatulence,
nausea, indigestion, and enhances the
appetite.
Its powerful antiseptic volatile oils have been shown to be active against
bacteria including diphtheria, typhoid, streptococcus and pneumococcus. As tea, oil inhalation, or vapor rub, lavender is
effective for colds,
coughs, asthma,
bronchitis,
pneumonia,
flu, tonsillitis and
laryngitis. The tea or
tincture can also be taken for stomach
and bowel infections causing vomiting or
diarrhea.
Taken as hot tea, lavender causes
sweating and reduces fevers. Lavender
helps to detoxify the body by
increasing elimination of toxins via
the skin and, with its mild diuretic
action, through the urine.
Lavender is a useful external disinfectant for cuts and wounds, sores and
ulcers. Lavender stimulates tissue
repair and minimizes scar
formation when the oil is applied
neat to burns and diluted in cases
of eczema, acne and varicose
ulcers.
Lavender has a calming and relaxing quality which makes it suitable
for use in the body's many systems.
Lavender is helpful in the digestive system, where it is used to calm
indigestion and related symptoms such as wind and bloating. In the nervous
system, lavender is used for headaches, depression, and sleeplessness. Lavender is also used in asthma,
where there is a nervous element
contributing to the symptoms.
Topically, it is added to creams and
oils as a rub in arthritic complaints,
as it acts as a painkiller relieving
painful joints. For neuralgia or
nerve pain, it is useful externally in
creams and oils.
Other names
- Common Lavender
- Garden Lavender
- Spike Lavender
- Sweet Lavender
- True Lavender
Parts used
Flowers, essential oil.
Uses
Nervous system - Lavender is well known for its soothing and calming
effect, and is combined with other sedative herbs to relieve
sleeplessness,
irritability, headaches, and
migraine. Lavender also
helps to alleviate depression.
Digestion - Like many herbs
with a significant volatile oil
content, lavender soothes
indigestion and colic, and
relieves gas and bloating.
Asthma - Lavender's relaxing
effect makes it helpful for some
types of asthma, especially where
excessive nervousness is a feature.
Essential oil - The oil is an
invaluable first aid remedy. Lavender is strongly antiseptic, helping to heal
burns, wounds, and sores. Rubbed on insect stings, lavender relieves
pain and
inflammation, and lavender can be used to treat
scabies and head lice. Massaging
a few drops on the temples eases
headaches, and 5 drops added to
a bath at night relieves muscle
tension, tones the nervous
system, and encourages a good
night's sleep.
Lavender is also used to treat tongue disorders.
Culinary uses - Use dried lavender -leaves, buds, and flowers -to season meat and vegetable dishes.
Add flowering tips and freshly chopped leaves to dressings, salads, wine, and vinegar.
Flavor desserts such as ice cream, jellies, puddings, and fruit, especially berries, with lavender
blossoms. English lavender's sweet lemon-floral taste can be quite intense, so use sparingly.
To make refreshing, aromatic lavender tea, steep 5 ml (1 teaspoon) of dried flowers or
15 ml (3 teaspoons) of fresh flowers in 250 ml (1 cup) of boiling water.
Lavender honey is deservedly considered a gourmet's delight.
Herbes de Provence, the classic dried herb blend, contains lavender blossoms as well as
thyme, savory,
basil, and fennel.
Lavender oil extract is used commercially to flavor candy, baked goods, chewing
gum, gelatins, puddings, and various beverages.
Craft uses - Include graceful lavender spikes in fresh floral arrangements.
Dried lavender spikes remain aromatic for a
number of years, making them ideal for long-lasting sachets and
potpourris.
Habitat & cultivation
Native to France and the western Mediterranean, lavender is cultivated
worldwide for its volatile oil, and is grown as a garden plant as far north as
Norway.
Perennial. Lavender has many varieties, including dwarf. Where winters are
severe, plant English lavender, the hardiest; mulch it over the winter.
Propagation is easiest by root divisions.
Lavender tolerates various types of soils, but does
best in dry, sandy, well-drained alkaline soil. If
planting in acidic soil, neutralize it first with ground
limestone. Tolerated pH range is 6.4 to 8.2.
Requires full sun. Do not plant lavender in a shady, damp
location as it will not develop or flower well.
Start seeds indoors about 10 to 12 weeks before your last
spring frost date. To increase the speed of germination, chill the
seeds in the refrigerator for several weeks before planting.
(Refrigerated seeds should be kept moist.) Plant seeds no deeper
than 6 mm (1/4 inch). Seeds take from 14 to 28 days to germinate.
Plant seedlings outside after all danger of frost is past.
Plants grown from seeds are often variable and may
not reproduce the distinctive characteristics of the cultivar.
Because seeds of many cultivars take up to 6 weeks to
germinate, and the seedlings grow very slowly, it's
easier to propagate lavender from stem cuttings, which
should be taken in spring or fall.
Space plants 30 to 90 cm (1 to 3 feet) apart.
Add liquid fertilizer regularly to potted plants to encourage flowering.
Although English lavender can live 20 to 30 years,
it becomes untidy after a few years, so trim
plants back in spring and again in early fall.
For more compact plants, nip off the flower
spikes before they bloom during the first year.
Susceptible to infestations of spittle bugs and
caterpillars, and to fungus diseases such as leaf spot.
Plants in overly moist soil are also prone to root rot.
Improve drainage and minimize the likelihood of
disease by planting in raised beds. Prune near the stem to
improve air circulation around the base of the plant.
Plants left outdoors
should be covered with mulch, straw, or evergreen boughs
to protect them from the cold.
Research
Lavender oil - Research into the essential oil has been under way for
many decades, and it is understood to have a very low toxicity and significant
antiseptic and antibacterial actions. Lavender
reduces pain and nervous
excitability .
Flowers - Lavender flowers, as
a whole, are also known to be
antibacterial and antiseptic. They
calm the nerves, reduce muscle
tension, and relieve cramps and
gas. Applied externally, they are
insecticidal and rubefacient
(irritant and stimulating to
the local circulation).
Constituents
- Volatile oil (up to 3%)
containing over 40 constituents, including linalyl acetate (30-60%),
cineole (10%), linalool, nerol, borneol
- Flavonoids
- Tannins
- Courmarins
How much to take
For indigestion, as an infusion, take
100 ml (4 fl oz) twice daily. For
sleeplessness, as a tincture take
3 - 5 ml (1/2 1 tsp) at night. Add
lavender infusion or essential oil to
a bath before bedtime to relieve stress and tension, or use in a
diffuser to aid sleep. For headaches,
add two drops of lavender essential
oil to a bowl of cold water and soak
a cloth to make a compress to place
across the forehead. Five drops of
lavender oil added to a footbath
relieves exhaustion. As a rub for
arthritic complaints add one drop
each of lavender essential oil and
wintergreen essential oil to 50 ml
(4 tbsp) of a carrier oil. You may use
the essential oil neat on insect bites or stings.
Side effects
Some people can experience dermatitis from lavender oil.
Lavender oil is widely available for
aromatherapy, and a couple of
drops are sometimes used to make tea. However, lavender oil should never be
taken in large doses, as it is a narcotic poison that can cause convulsions and death.
Applications
- FLOWERS:
- INFUSION - Take for nervous
exhaustion, tension headaches, or
during labor; also for colic and
indigestion. Give a weak infusion
(25% normal strength) to babies for
colic, irritability, and excitement.
- TINCTURE - Take up to 5 ml, twice a
day, for headaches and depression.
- MOUTHWASH - Use for halitosis.
- ESSENTIAL OIL:
- CREAM - Add a few drops of oil to
chamomile cream for eczema.
- LOTION - Add a few drops of oil to
a little water for sunburn or scalds.
- CHEST RUB - Add 1 ml oil and 5 drops chamomile oil to 10 ml carrier oil for
asthmatic and bronchitic spasm.
- HAIR RINSE - Dilute 5 - 10 drops of oil
in water for lice, or use a few drops
of neat oil on a fine comb for nits.
- MASSAGE OIL - Dilute 1 ml lavender
oil in 25 ml carrier oil, and massage
into painful muscles. Dilute 10
drops in 25 ml carrier oil and
massage into the temples and nape
of the neck for tension headaches or
at the first hint of a migraine.
- OIL - Apply undiluted to insect bites
and stings. Dilute 10 drops oil in
25 ml carrier oil for sunstroke or to
help prevent sunburn. (Note: this is
not an effective sun block.)
Collection & harvesting
Pick flowers before the last blooms on each stalk are fully open. It's best to
harvest the stalks on a dry day, before the heat of the sun evaporates much of the
essential oils. Tie the stalks in bundles and hang them in a warm, shady, airy
place to dry. (The drying process may take several weeks.) When the stalks are
crisp, strip the flowers from the stems and store in airtight containers. Stalks may
also be dried flat on cookie sheets.
For potpourri use, pick the flowers for drying just as the buds start to open.
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