Lavender as an Herb

(Lavender officinalis)

This English garden herb is highly regarded for its classic fragrance in soap, and potpourris, but lavender is also an important medicinal herb.

Originally, the oil from the flower was used to protect cloths and stored linens from moths. It was, and still is, popular as a scent in air fresheners.

Medicinal Uses for Lavender

Oil distilled from the flower has applications as an antibacterial, stimulant, tonic, headache reliever, and for relief of intestinal gas. It is also used to quiet coughs and disinfect wounds.

Lavender has been used in the treatment of stress related symptoms to restore balance of the nervous system. A mixture combining 6 drops lavender oil and 6 drops cypress oil in 4 ounces carrier oil such as sweet almond or olive oil applied to the belly and massaged in was utilized.

Lavender oil diluted in baby oil has been used for the pain of herpes minor and may be useful against pain of Herpes zoster (shingles).

Applied as a compress, lavender oil provides relief from neuralgic pains, rheumatism, sprains, and sore joints. Also for treating headaches and giddiness an infusion of fresh lavender as a cold compress is applied to the forehead and temples.

Lavender is also popular for its use in aromatherapy. It is added to the bath for fragrance and to stimulate (some also use it in a foot bath). Lavender is used in facials to stimulate the skin and cleanse it with its astringent action. Lavender tea is also used as a facial cleanswer or for blemishes and lavender oil is used for oily skin, acne, eczema and scars.

Lavender essential oil is used in sauna's, massages, facials, baths, masks and body wraps. The essential oil of Lavender is known as 'universal oil' due to its myriad of applications.

Lavender is used extensively in manufacturing perfume.

Lavender Bath Salts: Equal amounts of lavender and epsom salts with a few drops of lavender oil worked into the mix.

After Bath Lavender Oil: 1-1/4 cup almond oil in glass jar; add lavender spikes (as many as possible); place in warm place 24 hours; repeat if necessary to ensure optimum fragrance; add Vitamin E, Tincture of Benzoin, or grapeseed extract to preserve.

Culinary

Lavender flowers and leaves are used in flavored vinegars and jellies. A component of 'Herbes de Provence'.

Lavender flowers are used in teas, desserts and candied. Bitter leaves and tips used in salads, soups, vinegars, jellies and wine.

Lavendar Tea: 1 pint of water just off the boil added to 1/2 ounce of young leaves or dried buds. Steep four minutes, or longer as desired.

Lavender Water: Put 2 pounds lavender buds in 2 quarts of water in a cold still and make a slow fire under it; distill it off very slowly into a pot till you have distilled all your water; clean still out well and put your lavender water into it and distill it off slowly again; put into bottles and cork well. (Taken from the "New Art of Cookery" - Richard Briggs 1788)

Lavender Herbal Tea

1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
1 teaspoon dried chamomile flowers
1 teaspoon green tea leaves
4 cups boiling water

Place the herbs in a warmed teapot. Pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain and serve, sweeten with honey if desired.

Cautions

Tannins in this herb may lead to liver damage.

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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Some plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals. Some plants used for illness in the past have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.