Lavender
(Lavandula Angustifolia)
Used by the Romans to scent bath water, Lavender's name
derives from the Latain word lavare, to wash. It is one of the most
popular medicinal herbs, valued as a cooling, calming remedy.
Lavender has many key actions. It is an antispasmodic, carminative, antidepressant, nerve tonic, and a topical circulatory stimulant. The flowers and the essential oil are used for medicinal purposes.
One of the home-remedies that use lavender is fusion. It is ideal for tension headaches, and menopause, as well as insomnia, rheumatism, and digestive disorders. for a relaxing bath, add 500 ml to the bath water. A compress soaked in a hot infusion can help to relieve aching joints or earaches. Another home-remedy is infused oil. Cold oil is great when massaged into the temples for migraines or used in a steam inhalation for congestion and laryngitis or in facial steams. Apply pure oil to cold sores or add to rubs for caughs, muscular aches or to bring releif during labor.
To cultivate lavender, it is best to place the plant in alkaline soil in a sunny position. Sow seeds in the fall or take cuttings in the summer. Plants soon become woody and need pruning in the spring and, more lightly, after flowering.
To harvest and store lavender, collect stems as the flowers begin to open.