Peace, Love, and Oils: Lavender Oil

Lavender Oil

  All natural herbs are wonderful in their own way but something about lavender never ceases to amaze me. The aesthetics of the lavender flowers are pleasing to the eye, the smell of lavender is soothing to the soul, and lavender's medicinal benefits for your health are astonishing!

   

Distilled from the plant Lavandula angustifolia, lavender history dates back over 2500 years. Used by many ancient cultures, Mediterranean, Greeks, and Middle Eastern to the Pacific Indians for the beauty of its flowers as well as its medicinal benefits.

The smell of the lavender flower is so potent, Ancient Romans often used lavender to scent their spas, bedding, clothing, and even hair.

Lavender in Aromatherapy.

     The benefits of using lavender oil as aromatherapy to relieve stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. 

You can rub a dab of lavender on anywhere from your ankles, wrists, and temple areas for an immediate calming effect on the whole body.

The Color of Lavender and its Aesthetic Value.

Lavender flowers are beautiful and may represent:

• peacefulness
• silence
• devotion
• serenity
• beauty
• innocence

 Purple is the color of:

• royalty
• elegance
• sophistication
• opulence
• comfort 

Lavender in Food.

   Lavender is perfect in food as it is sweet and offers a savory smell. As a member of the mint family lavender can easily be substituted for rosemary in recipes. Lavender goes well with chicken, turkey, lamb, and fatty fish like salmon, tuna, or trout.

Having trouble relaxing and sleeping?

Lavender leaves and flowers may be brewed into a nice tea to alleviate headaches, and relieve stress and depression. This lavender tea before bed can also aid in sleep. 

Simple Sleepy Time Tea

Do not swallow lavender essential oil. Applying lavender essential oil to the skin is possibly safe but if you have sensitive skin, it may cause skin irritation and swelling. If you have acne, direct application of lavender essential oil to the skin can sometimes cause the skin to become dry, itchy, and feelings of a burning sensation, and redness. 

Let's start an Herbal Garden! 

Growing lavender:

 

   Lavender is easy to grow in your inground vegetable or flower garden, for your landscape, in your container garden, potted, garden, or patio garden. It's best to plant after the first frost in a nice sunny area with some sandy soil. Depending on where you live and your garden hardiness zone this strong little plant does come back year after year for up to 20 years! 

Lavender does not usually thrive in high humidity but you can grow lavender pretty well in zones 5-9. If you are unfamiliar with your garden hardiness zones, Plant Hardiness Zones, USDA

Disclaimer: The Butta Guru and Herbal Influences cannot give personal advice about an individual's medical condition. Statements are for informational purposes only and have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You are strongly encouraged to consult your medical adviser with questions about using natural products or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.