I doubt that there are many of you reading this post who have not come across Lavender in your lifetime. It is a beautiful plant in the garden and its perfume has been used for centuries as part of many cultures bathing rituals.
Its botanical name is Lavandula Officinalis and you will usually find it called English Lavender or garden Lavender. In fact its name belies the fact that originally it was found in Mediterranean region as well in Africa and some parts of Russia.
The Romans used daily in their bathwater and also as we do today, in small sachets placed between layers of clothing to keep them fresh smelling and to act as a natural deoderant. A few centuries later, as hygiene took a back seat in the Middle Ages, it would be used in oil form to kill bed bugs and lice.
Certainly few warriors went into battle without a bottle of lavender oil, as it was considered to be a powerful antiseptic’ and this has been backed up by modern scientists in a laboratory setting where the oil has been found to kill bacteria.
It can be taken as an infusion with a teaspoon of the dried herb in a cup of boiling water and allowed to steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Over the centuries it has been used to treat indigestion, insomnia, stress, pain, rheumatism, toothache and low blood pressure.
Not every culture would have used for the same conditions but generally as an antispasmodic it would have been used to relieve menstrual cramps as well as intestinal cramps. In Spain for example it has been used in the treatment of diabetes and in South America it is used as an infusion to treat PMS. Elsewhere you will find it is used as a headache or migraine cure.
Externally as an oil it is soothing for skin rashes and insect bites. If you are out hiking or in areas where there are mosquitos and other biting insects, oil of lavender can prevent you being stung in the first place.
You can add five or six drops to your bath, add three of four drops to 15ml of a carrier oil for massage and of course infuse the fresh herb for tea. I use prepared teabags at the moment as we do not have lavender in the garden but do make sure that you buy organic. You can get some very soothing combinations such as chamomile and lavender. To help you sleep you can put some lavender herbs into a small porous bag and put under your pillow.
When not to use lavender.
As with any herb you do have to remember that it is a medicine and its effects will either increase the potency of a specific drug or weaken it. In the case of lavender this applies to anti-depressants and blood thinners.. Check with a pharmacist if you are on any prescribed medication before using.
You should not take internally when you are pregant however lavender can be used in as a bath oil or if you are seeing a massage therapist in the second trimester onwards. However it should not be used as an oil in the first three months or if you have a history of miscarriage.
Do check with a qualified practitioner before using any oils when pregnant.
Stop using immediately if you develop a skin rash to the oil products or you feel nauseous when drinking the tea.
Thank you for dropping by and hope you found interesting.. another herb to add to your medicine cabinet. Sally
Wonderful informative post Sally. I wish I would have known about this when I was in my twenties and thirties, it would have helped. :o)
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As you say it is never to late Patricia.. glad you found interesting.. hugs x
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Lavender is my favorite herb! I love it and always have it growing in my garden. One of my dreams is to have a distiller to distill my own lavender oil. But until then, it’s the store for me! Thanks, Sally! Xoxo
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I think it would be a great business concept Angie especially if you cut out the middleman and market locally and online.. hugely popular. House and garden first…. xxx
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My “go-to”
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Pingback: The Medicine Woman’s Treasure Chest – Lavender – An all rounder | Annette Rochelle Aben
Sally, I’ve always loved the aroma of lavender, but I had no idea of the medicinal effects. I often rub it on my wrists and put in my bathwater, but now I will definitely try it for help with migraines. Great information here. So many different uses. Thank you, Sally!
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Pleasure Kim.. hope it helps the migraines. xx
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🙂 🙂
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Reblogged this on Chronic Conditions & Life Lessons and commented:
I’ve always loved the scent of lavender oil, dabbing it on my wrist or pouring a few drops into my bath water. Surprisingly, I learned the herb has several medicinal properties, including treating a few Chronic Conditions. Please visit Sally’s blog post to learn more!
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Thank you for sharing Kim.. instinct told you how to use… that is the way with herbs. hugs xx
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So very welcome, Sally. Yes, I suppose your right about instinct. I do rub some of the oil on my forehead, and the scent does seem to help my migraines. 🙂
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I loved watering my garden when I had lavender. When wet, the scent was heavenly.
I had no idea about lavender’s uses. What an eye-opener. Thank you, Sally.
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Great Tess.. hope you will grow again.. xxx
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No. I have no more garden here. The kids have given up on gardening because the weeds were too much work. I’m not here to make life easy for them. 😀 😀 😀 They’re grown ups.
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Well lavender can do quite well in the house in a pot.. you just need to keep trimming it..♥
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Love lavender, and didn’t know it killed bed bugs! 🙂 ❤
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Great to take a small spray away with you if staying in hotels etc.. I always have a go at mattresses.. xx
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On my list!!!! 🙂 xo
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A pinch in tge pot roast also works. 🙂 Great piece. 🙂
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Good tip thanks Lynette. x
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My Great Great aunt used to use it around the house to keep out moths and bugs. That branch of the family was very into homeopathic remedies.
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Thanks Rowena… I hope we don’t lose this knowledge completely.. hugs xx
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Thanks, Sally. I have some in the garden (one of the few things that survive with me around) and I love lavender. And these huge lavender fields in Italy and France are gorgeous too. (Mind you, I visited a really nice one in North Yorkshire too…)
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Thanks Olga.. the colour is incredible I remember two drives through France one through lavender fields and the other through sunflowers.. beautiful.. have a lovely weekend. hugs
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Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
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Thank you Kate.. x
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