Reasons to Love Lavender

Have you seen those breathtaking photos of undulating fields in Provence

or some other romantic location filled with purple flowers as far as your eye can see? Chances are you’re looking at lavender, a beautiful aromatic small shrub that grows on most continents. Even if you don’t live in Provence or own acres of land, you can still get up close and personal with lavender. Your body and mind will thank you for it.

While lavender is an obvious visual and olfactory indulgence,

its value goes far beyond your sensory experiences. The plant has a long

and illustrious history as traditional medicine in many cultures. Lavender use has been traced back at least 2500 years when it was used for mummification and perfumery by the ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians and Arabs. Ancient Romans are also believed to have used lavender for their cooking, bathing and scenting the air. Today, science is revealing the incredible properties lavender possesses to reduce your depression, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and anxiety, as well as combating your insomnia and repelling insects.

A joint Canadian & Iranian study compared the effects of a medication for depression to drinking tea made from lavender flowers.

The researchers found that the lavender was slightly more effective than

the anti-depressant drugs without any of your dangerous side effects often present with these types of drugs. The researchers concluded that lavender might be used as an adjunct to anti-depressant drugs or on its own to assist with symptoms of your depression.   The study participants drank two cups of an infusion made with lavender daily. This can be made by your adding two teaspoons of dried flowers to boiled water and letting it sit for 10 minutes before straining and drinking your tea. Of course, never discontinue any medications without consulting your physician.

According to James Duke, botanist and author of The Green Pharmacy,

lavender is excellent for you as an insomnia remedy. He recounts stories

of British hospitals using lavender essential oil in patients’ baths or sprinkled onto bed clothes to help them sleep. To use in a bath, sprinkle 5 to 10 drops of lavender essential oil under your bath water as the tub fills to allow the oils to disperse. Alternatively, place a heaping tablespoon of dried lavender flowers in cheesecloth, you tie it into a bundle and allow your flowers to infuse in the bathwater while soaking.

In a South African study

comparing your effects of lavender essential oil to DEET-based tick

repellents, lavender showed comparable results to the DEET sprays. At a 5% concentration, the insect-repellent results of your lavender oil lasted for 40 minutes while at a 10% or higher concentration of the essential oil, your results lasted for two hours. Add 10 to 20 drops of lavender essential oil to a dollop of your favorite unscented cream and apply before heading outdoors.

A Japanese study

published in the journal BioPsychoSocial Medicine found that if you inhaled the scent of lavender for ten minutes, it had a significant effect on your nervous system for women suffering from premenstrual symptoms. It especially decreased their feelings of depression and confusion.

While lavender plants and dried lavender are readily available,

the plant is fairly easy to grow in your gardens, yards and pots. It grows

best in a sunny location with well-drained soil and is found in most plant nurseries. You can also grow lavender from seed as it tends to be quite hardy. It needs watering to get started but most varieties are quite drought tolerant and need infrequent watering after the plant takes hold.

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Did you find this to be a great read as I did? I may plant some lavender in my backyard soon. Do you have any planted in your yard? If it’s easy grow and attracts bees and butterflies, but keeps away mosquitoes, it seems like a no-brainer to me. How about you?

Have a happy healthy day!