Welcome to My World – I Love Lavender! Do You?

Hello World!  I’ve talked about lavender in other posts, but I do LOVE lavender so I decided it’s worthy of another post…

 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 acreage, you can still get up close and personal with lavender. Your body and your mind will thank you for it.

While lavender is a visual and olfactory indulgence for you,

its value goes far beyond these 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 your anxiety, as well as combating insomnia and repelling insects. They also attract the good ones to your yard, like bees and butterflies.

1.  A joint Canadian and Iranian study

compared the effects of a medication for depression to your drinking tea

made from lavender flowers. The researchers found that the lavender was slightly more effective than the anti-depressant drugs without any of the dangerous side effects often present with these types of drugs. The researchers concluded that lavender might be used as an adjunct to your anti-depressant drugs or on its own to assist with your symptoms of depression.

The study participants drank two cups of an infusion made with lavender daily. This can be made by 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 first.

2.  According to James Duke, botanist

and author of The Green Pharmacy, lavender is an excellent insomnia remedy. He recounts stories of British hospitals using lavender essential oil in their patients’ baths or sprinkled onto bed clothes to help them sleep. To use in your bath, sprinkle 5 to 10 drops of lavender essential oil under the water as your tub fills to allow the oils to disperse. Alternatively, place a heaping tablespoon of dried lavender flowers in cheesecloth, tie into a bundle and allow the flowers to infuse in your bathwater while soaking.

I use about 10 drops of lavender oil each night when I bathe. It certainly relaxes me which helps me to sleep better.

3.  In a South African study

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

repellents; lavender showed comparable results to your DEET sprays. At a 5% concentration, the insect-repellent results of the lavender oil lasted for 40 minutes while at a 10% or higher concentration of the essential oil, the 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 you head outdoors.

4.  A Japanese study

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

While lavender plants and dried lavender are readily available, the plant is

fairly easy to grow in gardens, yards and pots. It grows best in a sunny location with well-drained soil and is found in most of your 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 your plant takes hold.

If you are a lavender lover like I am, you’ll get something from this read. I always enjoy learning new things about this wonderful aromatic plant. I’ve been using it for a while now and will continue to do so. It helps me sleep; wards off depression and simply smells great!

Have a great healthy aromatic day!