Lavender, or common/true lavender is an evergreen woody shrub, with beautiful purple-blue flowers. It is native to the Mediterranean region, but is now cultivated world-wide, for its use as a garden herb and for its distinctive fragrant aromatherapy oil.
The flowers are used in herbal medicine and to make essential oil. Several variations exist: French lavender (L. stooechas), Spike lavender (L. latifolia), Lavandin (L. x intermedia).
Medicinal Properties of Lavender
It contains a volatile oil which comprises of over 100 different constituents, including around 40% linalyl acetate, linalool, lavandulol, lavandulyl acetate, terpinol, cineol and limonene, among many others.
The flowers also contain coumarins, flavanoids and other triterpenes.
Lavender is best known as a very calming and relaxing plant.
Lavender is also antibacterial, analgesic, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, carminative (wind relieving), emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation) and an insecticide (especially spike lavender).
Lavender Herbal Remedies
Historically Lavender has been used to treat a number of conditions including:
Anxiety and stress
Burns (topically)
Chilblains
Colic
Depression
Headaches – nervous
Heartburn (as a tea)
High blood pressure
Indigestion (as a tea)
Infections
Insomnia
Migraine (inhaled or applied to the temples)
Neuralgia (topically)
Perineal pain after childbirth (oil added to the bath)
Physical and mental exhaustion
Poor circulation
Rheumatism and muscular aches and pains (topically)
Toothache
Other Lavender Information
Lavender flowers can be infused to make tea for internal use and can be drunk up to three times per day. Sometimes lavender tincture and capsules can be obtained for internal usage.
In aromatherapy lavender has numerous uses, the essential oil can be used for inhaling, massage and adding to the bath. It is also a very effective insect repellent and can be used as an alternative to tea tree or citronella.
Side Effects of Lavender
Lavender is a very safe herb although the essential oil should not be used internally.
When taken in excess lavender can make you drowsy.
At the time of writing there are no well-known side effects, drug interactions or contra-indications.
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