Do u know about “LAVENDER: The miraculous herb”?

Lavender is best known for its aromatic purple flowers. The name Lavender is a derivative of the Latin word “lavare,” which means “to wash”. It was a herb used for bathing rituals in Roman times. Lavender is a native herb of the Mediterranean region including North Africa, extraction with some species being found on the Arabian Peninsula and also in India. Many members of the genus are cultivated extensively in temperate climates as ornamental plants for garden and landscape use, for use as culinary herbs, and also commercially for the extraction of essential oils But this much is still not enough for you… let us know more about its unpredictable benefits!


HISTORY:

It has a long history of therapeutic use, being described by medieval herbalist John Parkinson as being of “especially good use for all grieves and pains of the head and brain.” Victorian ladies carried hand-sized lavender-filled “swooning sachets” so they could recover from a corset-induced faint.

 

USES:

CULINARY USES of LAVENDER

  • Some years ago it was a controversy that whether lavender is edible or not. Now it is proved that except some genus lavender is edible.
  • Lavender is “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) as a food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
  • Culinary Lavender has a sweet, floral flavor, with lemon and citrus notes. The potency of the lavender flowers increases with drying.
  • Flowers and leaves can be used fresh, and both buds and stems can be used dried.
  • Culinary Lavender is a member of the mint family. It is best used with fennel, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.
  • The key to cooking with culinary lavender is to experiment; start out with a small amount of flowers, and add more as you go. Adding too much lavender to your recipe can be like eating perfume and will make your dish bitter. Because of the strong flavor of lavender, the secret is that a little goes a long way.
  • This is specifically good for patients with a disturbed mouth feel and metallic taste as we observe in cancer patients as lavender aggravates sweet as well as salty flavors.
  • Add a few drops of lavender to any recipe you want to enhance. Add to your water or tea, brownies, bars, cookies, dessert recipes, raw chocolate or salad dressings.

COSMETIC USES of LAVENDER

  • LAVENDER is a miracle component for cosmetic uses. Rub several drops of lavender oil into the scalp to help eliminate dandruff.
  • Lavender is one of the most useful skin care oils.  Although it has excellent antiseptic properties. Lavender has been used as an ingredient in cosmetics for centuries and its effects have been well tried and tested.
  • Cleanser/Toner for skin care:
    Blend 15 drops each of rose and lavender essential oils with 25 ml of witch hazel and 75 ml distilled water (or another flower water) and apply morning and night for cleaning your skin.
  • Moisturizing the skin:

Bland 3 drops of lavender essential oil with 1 teaspoon wheat germ oil (or a moisturizing cream).  Apply twice daily.

  • Sunburn:

Due to its excellent healing and analgesic properties, lavender can provide instant relief from heat rash or red and sore skin.  It can also prevent blistering.  Make a lotion using 12 drops of lavender essential oil in 1 tablespoon of distilled water.  Dab the area gently.

  • Moreover, lotions, creams, soaps, body sprays, cleansers, shampoos, all can have lavender oil in them. Dried lavender herb is simmered in a pot of water with some citrus peels for a natural air freshener.


NUTRACEUTICALS IN LAVENDER:

  • Lavender is comprised of over 100 constituents, including linalool, perillyl alcohol, linalyl acetate, camphor, limonene, tannins, triterpenes, coumarins, cineole, and flavonoids.
  • Linalool is the main nutraceutical in lavender which can be absorbed by inhalation of its aerosol and by oral intake, it induces sleep and drowsiness.

 

MEDICAL USES of LAVENDER:

  • Lavender is known for its scent but also for its antibacterial, antimicrobial, stress-relieving, antiseptic and analgesic properties.
  • Its calming scent makes it soothing to the respiratory system and it is often suggested to be diffused to calm coughs and colds. Its natural antibacterial properties may also make it useful in protecting against airborne viruses and bacteria when diffused.
  • The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia lists it as a treatment for flatulence, colic, and depressive headaches, and many modern herbal practitioners use the herb to treat migraines in menopause.
  • In Spain, it is added to teas to treat diabetes and insulin resistance. Because some researches have shown that it can surprisingly reduce blood sugar levels.
  • It is used as a dried herb to make a relaxing herbal tea by steeping in hot water for a few minutes and adding honey.
  • Adding a few drops of the essential oil or a cup of strong brewed tea and a cup of epsom salts to a bath helps relax sore muscles.
  • The essential oil can be used topically to help with acne or skin irritations.
  • Lavender is a versatile remedy that can help many minor health ailments, including: insomnia, fatigue, nausea, indigestion, stress-related headache and migraines.
  • Lavender helps to calm the mind; it may be of benefit in calming the agitation often experienced by people with dementia because lavender is thought to be calming and able to balance strong emotions.
  • Taking a bath scented with lavender oil or misting bedding with lavender water are effective tips for improving sleep quality and duration.
  • Lavender is particularly indicated for a nervous or irritable stomach or bowel as it can help soothe gastrointestinal upsets and reduce excess wind. Lavender is slightly bitter and many herbalists use it as a hepatic and bile stimulant. It is also carminative and anti-inflammatory. Safe for children and the elderly, it can be used in the treatment of intestinal gas, irritable bowel syndrome, and nausea.
  • Lavender is a useful gargle and inhalant remedy that can help relieve symptoms of bronchitis, coughs, colds and flu. It may also help relieve asthma, especially if triggered by stress.
  • Lavender essential oil can be used topically for menstrual cramps, toothache, earache and sore muscles, and as an inhalant for pain and anxiety management during labor and medical or dental procedures and postoperative pain.
  • It may be of assistance for the topical treatment of fungal infections such as candida. It is an effective insect repellent and can be used in both prophylactic and treatment preparations for head lice.
  • Put a drop of Lavender oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching reduce swelling.
  • Mix several drops of Lavender oil with a nut or vegetable mixing oil (coconut, sesame, etc.) and use topically on eczema and dermatitis.
  • To alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, place a drop of Lavender oil on end of the tongue, behind the ears or around the navel.
  • To stop a nosebleed, put a drop of lavender oil on a tissue and wrap it around a small chip of ice. Push the tissue covered ice chip up under the middle of the top lip to the base of the nose and hold as long as comfortable or until the bleeding stops (do not freeze the lip or gum).
  • Rub a drop of lavender oil between your palms and inhale deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.

Lavender can be used in aromatherapy as Lavender essential oil is used topically as it is an anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, hypnotic and anxiolytic. Aromatherapy is a method of healing in which various conditions are treated by stimulating body to various smells.


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