Most people associate lavender with a sweet-scented flower or a color. What most people don't know is that lavender is a very important herb that can be used for medical treatments. The lavender flower and the oil derived from it have a very long history in herbal medicine. It is believed that the flowering plant from the mint family was first used by ancient Egypt. The use of lavender as medicine became popular during the late Middle Ages. Today we can find lavender in various products like shampoo, soap, perfume and many more. When it comes to medical uses, the relaxing herb is described as being most effective in treating grief and pains in the head and brain.
History & Folklore
The cultural impact of lavender throughout its recorded use in ancient and modern history is extensive. It served and still serves as an antiseptic, a perfume and a love-inducing herb. Starting from the ancient Egyptians, who used lavender in their mummifying process and as well as perfuming themselves and their clothes, until now where using the scent of lavender in several drugstore items like detergent or perfumes is still pretty common. Beyond scenting clothing and the usage of the herb in perfumes, lavender is also often associated with love. Allegedly Cleopatra used lavender to seduce Julius Caesar and Mark Antony with success. Besides lavender is said to protect you against evil spirits. It was hung above doors to banish the evil and not let it enter the house. Arabs, Greeks and Romans all made plenty of use of lavender's many abilities like reducing stress, killing germs, calming the nervous system and fighting insomnia. Even the church found a good function for lavender using it during holy festivals strewing the herb on the floor or throwing it into bonfires to scare away evil spirits on St. John's Day. In England Queen Elizabeth I used to have fresh lavender in vases at her table every day. In conclusion, lavender's history goes way back and its usage extends beyond the medical and spiritual level.
Habitat & Cultivation
Lavender fields can be found all over the world. Either when you're driving through the Provence in France, the western Mediterranean or the Middle East, the purplish lavender fields have caught your eyes at least once. It continues to be cultivated across the world for its beautiful flowers, alluring scent and volatile oil. It is propagated from the seed or cuttings and needs a sunny position. The flowers are picked in the morning in high summer and are dried, or distilled to produce essential oil.
Uses
Nervous System Lavender's abilities to encourage a good night's sleep, relieve nervousness, migraine headaches and its calming and soothing effect combined with different herbs is well known. But most importantly lavender can help ease depression.
Digestion Just like other herbs that can be produced into essential oils, lavender soothes the stomach and helps with indigestion. It's also very useful for relieving wind and bloating.
Asthma Some type of asthma have side effect of excessive nervousness. Lavender's calming effect can be used to prevent or help against nervousness.
Essential oil Lavender oil is extremely effective and can work wonders. Its strong antiseptic nature can help to heal wounds, sores and burns. Painful insect stings, scabies and headlice can be treated with the oil. It eases pain and inflammations. Adding a couple of drops into your bath at night can help insomnia and relieves muscle tension. For headaches messaging the oil on the temples can help soothe the pain.
Parts used
Flowers are harvested towards the end of flowering when the petals have begun to fade. The flowers can be used fresh or dried.
Key Actions
Antispasmodic
Relieves Anxiety
Antidepressant
Neuroprotective
Antimicrobial
Constituents
Volatile oil (up to 3%) containing over 40 constituents, including linayl acetate (30-50%), cineole (10%), linalool, nerol, borneol
Flavonoids
References
- Chevallier, Andrew, FNIMH; Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine - 550 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments; 3. Edition 2016; ISBN: 978-0-2412-2944-6; Page 108.
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Lavender Reviews
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I love the smell of lavender, I'll put some organic essential oil on my wrists and the smell relaxes me before bedtime. I also like drinking tea that has organic lavender in it, or some fresh made lemonade.
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For years I have always had insomnia issues, I love smelling lavender to just calm me down and help me get right to sleep!
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I’m obsessed with using lavender essential oils in baths for my kids and myself! It’s so soothing and puts in a relaxed state! It works every time and it’s just a bonus that it smells amazing too :) highly highly recommend! It’s also super easy to grow.