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Medicinal/Aromatherapy
Lavender
has been used since ancient times for many different remedies. Some
include:
-
treating
wounds
-
inducing
sleep
-
repelling
insects
-
combating
acne
-
eliminating
headaches
-
calming
nerves during child labor
-
alleviating
migraines
-
calming
upset stomach
-
easing
menstrual pains
-
restlessness
-
abdominal
complaints
-
rheumatism
-
easing
stress and anxiety and lifting depression
-
breaking
up congestion
-
reducing
high blood pressure and palpitations
-
easing indigestion, flatulence, and nausea
-
alleviating bad breath or tooth
ache
Aroma therapists
use it for inhalation therapy to treat nervous disorders and exhaustion.
Herbalists treat skin ailments, such as fungal infections, burns, wounds,
eczema, and acne with lavender.
Lavender
can also be used externally in a healing
bath for circulatory disorders and as a rub for rheumatic ailments.
The
properties of lavender include:
-
antibacterial
-
anticonvulsive
-
antidepressant
-
anti-inflammatory
-
analgesic
-
anti-rheumatic
-
antispasmodic
-
antitoxic
-
antiviral
-
anticoagulant
-
deodorant
-
decongestant
-
diuretic
-
restorative
-
sedative
.
The
following are recommended doses for lavender:
-
Internal
use: 1 to 2 teaspoons of whole herb per cup of water. Allow to steep for
3-5 minutes or longer. Soothes tension and helps
insomnia.
-
External
use: Boil dried flowers in 2 to 3 cups of water; inhale vapors for headache,
depression, or insomnia.
-
Topical
application: Pour 3/4 cups
boiling water over 3 Tablespoons dried lavender buds. Let
cool and strain. Can be sprinkled on your pillow for a good night's
sleep, or applied to skin to cool, soothe, and refresh.
-
Lavender
Bath: Place 2 tablespoons each of lavender buds and
freshly ground oatmeal in a muslin bag. Tie tightly with a long
piece of string. Attach the bag to the bath tub faucet and allow it to
hang below the water level. While bathing, rub the bag on the
skin to soothe dry and itchy spots.
Lavender Oil may be used:
-
on
burns
-
on
insect bites
-
for
relief of cuts for speedy healing
-
in
a vaporizer to battle colds, coughs, and infections
-
mixed
with Witch Hazel and put in a spray bottle to make a cooling mist for
your body or your pillow
-
added
to unscented massage oil for a relaxing and healing body massage.
-
on a folded, wet wash
cloth to use as an eye pillow to treat
headaches or sinus infections; heat in microwave for 60 seconds for a hot
compress
-
added to a hot
bath for ultimate relaxation
-
to
ease aching joints and relieve stress
-
applied at the temples
to relieve a headache
-
to
aid in the healing process of
wounds and scars
-
in
your evening bath to unwind
-
rubbed
into the wrists or onto the nape of the neck for a calming effect
-
mixed
one drop to 5 tablespoons of distilled water for a refreshing cleanser
for your face (apply with a cotton ball)
-
dabbed
onto a blemish to help it disappear
-
placed
on a cool light bulb (1-2 drops) to restore balance and alleviate
agitation
-
for
motion sickness and jet lag -- massage 3-4 drops onto the ankles
-
to
calm hyperactive dogs -- massage one drop onto the paws of a
frightened dog to calm and soothe
Lavender's effect is calming, uplifting,
refreshing, soothing, and purifying.
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| Arts
& Crafts
Lavender
may be used in a variety of crafts, either fresh or
dried.
-
making
wreaths
-
making
wands
-
potpourri
-
candles
-
soap.
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| Home
Simple ways to bring lavender into every room of
your home:
- adding a bowl of lavender buds to a table by
your front door to greet guests
- adding lavender oil to a diffuser or mixed
with oil in an oil lamp to create a nice aroma before entertaining
- throwing dried lavender stems to a dying fire in
the fireplace
- burning lavender candles to
freshen any room
- hanging door bowers to make a beautiful greeting as we cross
the threshold
- using lavender sachets in clothes closets,
drawers, and linen closets
-
using lavender oil in a lamp oil ring to release
lavender fragrance from the heat of the light bulb
- renew potpourri with lavender oil
- adding lavender clippings as a mulch to repel
insects in the garden and keep mildew at bay
- adding a drop of lavender oil to a paper towel
and placing it in the bottom of the laundry hamper
- adding a drop of oil into the final rinse of
delicates to add a light lasting fragrance
- keeping a bowl of fresh or dried flowers in your
bedroom
- adding oil to an air purifier or furnace filter
to freshen the whole house
- using lavender flowers in place of other carpet
fresheners
- placing lavender in your basement to deter
insects
- planting lavender plants around your home, patio,
and garden to help repel insects
- boiling 3 tablespoons of lavender buds in a quart
of water. After steeping and cooling, transfer to a spray bottle
to spray pets and their sleeping areas
- sprinkling flower buds under couch cushions and
other places adding even more lavender fragrance when you later vacuum
them up
- adding 8-10 drops of lavender oil to a warm bath
before retiring for the evening
- creating a lavender mineral bath by combining 1/2
cup of Epsom salts with 1/2 cup of Sea Salt Minerals to 25-50 drops of
lavender essential oil. Leave overnight and then use by
the handful in a warm bath
-
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| Weddings
Fill your wedding with the
lovely fragrance and charm of lavender. Afterall, lavender is a sign of
love and devotion, and lavender enhances romantic and physical desire.
- throwing lavender buds (instead of rice) for
wedding tosses
- creating bridesmaids bouquets that will last for years
- providing a fragrance bag as the place setting favors for your
wedding guests.
- tying bundles of dried or fresh lavender with bows for
the end of each seating row at the ceremony.
- having the flower girl toss dried lavender buds along
the aisle -- aroma will be released as the bridal party walks down the
aisle thus alleviating wedding day jitters for the bride!
- placing dried or fresh lavender stems in small vases at the
reception
- Using a ribbon-trimmed bundle of fresh lavender as the
bridal bouquet toss.
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| Culinary
Lavender is an herb that is often overlooked when
filling your spice rack. However, fresh lavender flowers are
excellent additions to several dessert recipes.
The dried lavender buds are more herbal and more suited for savory and meat dishes.
The entire stalk of lavender with leaves and flowers can be
used to infuse vinegar, oil, and sugar. Remember to use organically grown
products.
- When using dried lavender in a recipe that calls for
fresh, the substitution ratio is one third of that amount dried. One pound
of dried lavender buds equals roughly 15 cups.
- Lavender is a member of the mint family and is
close to rosemary, sage, and thyme.
- English
Lavender
has the sweetest fragrance of all the lavenders and is the one most
commonly used in cooking.
- Lavender has a sweet, floral flavor, with lemon and citrus
notes.
- Lavender has a very strong flavor; the secret is
that a little goes a long way.
- The
lavender flowers add a beautiful color to salads.
- Lavender can also be
substituted for rosemary in many bread recipes.
- Create lavender sugar by adding buds to sugar and
tightly sealing for a couple of weeks. Then use the sugar in
your normal cake and dessert recipes.
- Use the stems for making kabobs before
grilling.
- Lavender flowers look beautiful and taste great
with chocolate, champagne, and in ice cream!
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