Herbal Medicine: Lavender


Lavender! Oh how I love this plant! A favorite of mankinds for more than 2,500 years; favored by royalty throughout history. But aside from smelling lovely, and having the calming effect that helps when we're stressed or in need of sleep, what else is Lavender good for?

Well, MANY things actually!

Native to the Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula, and Russia; cultivated in Europe, Australia and the U.S. Lavender has a very long history being used as medicine.

Lavender has been implemented in wound care, as a sleep aid, for pain associated with headaches and migraines, as a mood elevator for those who experience depression, the list is extensive...

The Egyptians loved Lavender so much that, not only were the royal Egyptian families buried with jars of it, it was also used in the mummification process.

Carried by Roman soldiers for treating battle wounds in the field. In European folk medicine, Lavender was also administered to treat worms in children. Used for scenting the air, the fragrance also deters insects.

In Arab medicine, Lavender was incorporated as an expectorant & antispasmodic.

However, Lavender has been administered for various reasons. In bath water, in soaps, in furniture polish to keep sickness away... in Mexico they used Lavender to bathe new mothers after childbirth, and burned it to fumigate a sick room.

Lavender in Latin is "Lavare," and means "to wash."

Lavender has a variety of properties including:

Antiseptic
Antidrepressant
Antibacterial
Analgesic
Antispasmodic
Circulatory stimulant
Carminative
Nervous system tonic
Promotes bile flow
Relaxant
Relieves gastrointestinal issues
Lowers anxiety

Also noted to help with stomach upset, kidney disorders, jaundice, treating insect bites, and sore throats.

A small British study discovered that Lavender works better as a sleep aid than Pharmaceuticals.

During the Middle Ages, Queen Elizabeth made Lavender tea to treat her frequent migraines as well as wearing Lavender as a perfume.

In 16th century France, Lavender was used as fragrance in gloves, and Glove Makers often seemed to escape cholera.

Lavender was used as a cure-all during the 17th century, & highly propagated by street merchants because it was believed to protect against the plague.

In fact Lavender was so popular during the Victorian era, that it was fashionable!

Lavender can be made into oil, essential oil, steeped in hot water to make tea (the tea can be ingested or used for hot compresses), carried in a pouch dried...

In fact, one of the founders of modern day aromatherapy, Rene Gattefosse, treated a burn he sustained on his head in his own lab with Lavender essential oil; it stopped the pain and the burn healed quickly without infection or leaving a scar.

Lavender is an amazing plant with an astounding history in medicine. I feel that it is one of the most essential herbs to have in your kitchen and in your garden.

To a happier and healthier you!

~Tanya Capps~
Herbal Witchcraft Magazine

https://www.herbalwitchcraftmagazine.com

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