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Benefits |
Preparation |
Medicinal Uses |
Side Effects |
Plant |
Folklore |
iStock
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| Common Names |
| Lavender , |
| Botanical Name |
| Lavandula officinalis |
| Family |
| LAMIACEAE or LABIATAE Mint Family |
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Related Species |
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Spike lavender, L. latifolia , contains an oil rich in cineole and camphor |
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| Antitoxic*
Carminative*
Cisatrisant*
Cardic tonic Cordial*
Cytophylactic*
Deodorant*
Diuretic*
Emmenagogue*
Hypotensive*
Nervine*
Parturient*
Sedative*
Splenic*
Diaphoretic*
Vermifuge*
Vulnerary*
Analgesic*
Anti-inflammatory*
Antirheumatic*
Muscle Relaxant*
AntiViral*
Repels Insects*
Antifungal*
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| Parts Used: Flowers, leaves and stems |
| Constituents:Volatile oil (up to 1.5%, containing linabol, linalyl acetate, lavendulyl acetate, terpinenol, cineole, camphor, borneol, pinene, limonene), tannins, coumarins (coumarin, umbelliferone, hemiarin), flavonoids, triterpenoids |
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If I had to choose the essential oil most dear to my heart, it would be lavender.The relaxing and uplifting scent invariably lifts my spirits, and helps me sleep. One of the most most versatile of the essential oils,lavender is most useful in almost any blend intended for daily skin care, and strong enough for healing burns, scalds and disinfecting cuts and insect bites. This oil is quite literally a medicine chest in a bottle and has well known antibacterial and soothing properties.
In general lavender is used to relax muscle spasms anywhere in the body, and to relax the body in the presence of pain.
Lavender oil can also be used in facial skin care to sooth and clear the redness often associated with acne prone skin, and act to prevent acne breakouts. |
Prep Methods :infusion, essential oil, hydrosol,
Remedies using Lavender
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Lavender's volatile oil contains over one hundred components. This oil has an overall balancing effect on the state of mind and emotions. It has a sweet, balsamic, floral aroma which is enjoyed by all and combines well with many oils including citrus, clove, patchouli, rosemary, clary sage and pine. It's tension relieving properties make it a perfect antidote to todays stressful world.
Lavender oil is used in baths, room sprays, toilet waters, perfumes, colognes, massage oils, sachets, salves, skin lotions and oils. Beware however, most commercial products are stretched with synthetics and may contain as little as 3 percent real lavender making them a poor substitute for the real essential oil. |
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Calming *sleep *Stress Relief * |
Remove the splinter with a sterilized needle or pair of tweezers and apply 1 drop of lavender, neat | For restful sleep, sprinkle a few drops of lavender on sheets and pillowcases. | Swollen feet or ankles benefit from a cool foot bath with lavender | For most minor scrapes, cuts and abrasions washing the affected area and then applying a few neat drops of lavender will do the trick. | When colds at spreading at your child's school, or at the office a quick and effective antiseptic blend is 5 drops of lavender in 1 ounce of carrier oil. Massage on the chest and lymph nodes (sides of neck from ears to collarbone) | Lavender is a necessity in the first-aid chest for burns, bug bites, and most common skin irritations. | Add a few drops of lavender oil to a cool compress for quick hot flash relief. |
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Abrasions/Cuts *
Abscess/Boil *
Acne *
Anxiety/Panic *
Aromatherapy Air Fresheners *
Arthritis *
Burns/SunBurn *
Candida/Yeast Infection *
Childrens herbs *
Colds *
Culinary *
Depression *
Facial and Skin care *
Fibromyalgia *
Gout *
Headache *
Hypertension HBP *
IBS *
Insect Bites/Rashes *
Insect Repellent *
Insomnia *
Lupus *
Personal Care *
Pet care *
Pregnancy *
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| Anxiety, Stress | | Lavenders soothing, sedating phytochemicals readily absorb into the skin, including the sensitive membranes inside the nose. That's why even the scent of lavender tends to calm and relax. 405
(Duke, James A, Ph.D. ) | | Skin abrasions | | To treat skin abrasions first clean the affected area with warm water with 5 drops of lavender diluted in a bowl. Apply one neat drop of lavender, or tea tree and leave to heal. 1078
| | Burns, scalds | | Lavender oil is successfully used in the treatment of sores, varicose ulcers, burns and scalds. 356
(Grieve, Maude ) | | Acne | | To use Lavender essential oil for acne, dot it onto individual blemishes with a cotton swab as needed 990
| | Herbal bath | | Lavender baths are excellent for pregnant women and are highly recommended during the entire pregnancy. 738
(Gladstar, Rosemary ) | | Dog care - coughs, ticks, arthritis | | Lavender can be used in a massage oil to relieve the pain and stiffness older dogs have in in the morning, diffused in the air as a treatment for coughs and respiratory infections, and makes a good tick repellent for dogs. Veterinarians in England use lavender oil to get rid of lice and other animal parasites. 1016
| | Sleep aid | | Lavender is a wonderful sleep aid and can be used in all it's forms. Combine with valerian, or chamomile for a relaxing tea, diffuse in an aroma lamp for restful sleep, use it in your evening bath, sprinkle a few drops of lavender on sheets and pillowcases, and add dried lavender flowers to sleep pillow mixtures. 1081
| | Oily and combination skin | | Lavender skin care products are ideal for oily and combination skin. 1083
| | Flea bites, rashes | | Lavender is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. A tea made from the fresh or dried flowers can be applied as a skin wash to relieve itching due to flea bites and rashes, or the essential oil can be used. 1084
| | HBP, heart tonic | | Lavender is helpful in treating high blood pressure and relaxes cardiac spasms such as tachycardia. 1085
| | Arthritis, circulation | | A fomentation of lavender as external application relieves stiffness of the joints. For arthritic aches and pains, apply compresses, or massage with a lavender oil blend. Oil of lavender is sometimes effective in bringing back circulation to feet that have lost feeling. 1086
(Dawson,Adele ) | | Fibromyalgia | | Essential of of Lavender, diluted with jojoba or olive oil can be used to massage sore places, recommended by women who have dealt with fibromyalgia for many years. 1196
(Weed, Susan ) | | Culinary | | Lavender can be overpowering by itself. It plays better as part of a choir of tastes, combining nicely with citrus, mint, berries, ginger, figs and vanilla, or other strong Mediterranean herbs such as marjoram, oregano and fennel. 1079
| | Colds, chest rub | | Lavender oil is an effective antiseptic. A lavender massage on the chest and lymph nodes is relaxing and helps kill germs. 1080
| | Sachets, insect repellent | | Use lavender sachet bags to protect clothes against moths. Also flies and mosquitoes dislike the fragrance, use the oil in insect sprays, or add the cut flowers to flower vases. 956
| | Perfume | | Lavender flower water, or a few drops of lavender essential oil make a good balancing and sweet smelling perfume 1082
| | Nervous headache | | For headaches apply a few drops of lavender oil neat to the temples. A few drops of lavender rubbed on the temple will cure a nervous headache.. Combine with rosemary and juniper oils and apply to the back of the neck and shoulders, and massage until the muscles relax. Lavender herb teas should be used in combination with melissa (lemon balm) and skullcap. 1004
| | Leucorrhoea | | A strong infusion of lavender used as a douche is effective for leucorrhoea 1304
(Mabry, Richard p65) | | Depression | | For depression, lavender should be mixed with borage flowers. 737
(Gladstar, Rosemary ) | |
| Side Effects: |
| There are no reported side effects with the whole herb, but do not ingest lavender essential oil. |
Koehler's Medicinal-Plants 1887
Lavender is a small shrub that grows 2 to 3 feet high with evergreen leaves and lovely violet-blue spiking flowers.
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Mercury owns the herb; and it carries his effects very potently. Lavender is of a special good use for all the griefs and pains of the head and brain that proceed of a cold cause, as the apoplexy, falling-sickness, the dropsy, or sluggish malady, cramps, convulsions, palsies, and often faintings. Nicholas Culpeper |
It is plentiful in Spain and Portugal and it is used as a rule for strewing the floors of churches and houses on festive occasions, or to make bonfires on St. Johns Day, when evil spirits are supposed to be abroad. Growing lavender in your garden is said to bring good luck and has long believed to be a fairy favorite due to it's incredible scent. Traditionally fragrant bundles of lavender were placed in the hands of women during childbirth to bring courage and strength. |
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| Certified Organic Relaxing Bath Herbs |
| Fragrant baths have been enjoyed for centuries for their healing and purifying properties, not to mention how splendid it is to bathe in fresh, and fr |
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Annies Remedys
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