Lavender

Lavender, Lavandula officinalis; Lavandula angustifolia, has such a vibrant purple flower on top of grey foliage. (Flowers may also be white or pink). It’s a wonderful bee attracting perennial that is a member of the mint family. It smells distinctive and so lovely. I find it more aromatic after rain. It looks like the bees do too. I am writing this after we had rain in the early hours of this morning. It’s started flowering in the past few days and I love looking at it! Lavender comes from the Western Mediterranean. I associate it with the Provence area of France, but it grows well in many places in the world.

I think we all know that this wonderful plant produces the essential oil we smell in soaps and creams. I need to use it as a blend in soaps or it’s too overpowering for my family and myself. Please note, essential oils are unsafe to use internally. This is an essential oil that is safe to use externally on babies and children (diluted in a carrier oil) or neat on adults externally.

As for taste, lavender has a pungent bitter one. There are many recipes out there for cakes, icing and ones that use lavender flowers in sugar and drinks. I tend to leave the flowers for the bees to enjoy and just rub my fingers on them as I walk past.

Lavender has been known for milennia as a calming herb and for its positive effects on the nervous system. Studies have shown that its essential oil has been found to inprove sleep in those who have insomnia and a better night’s sleep in those who sleep well. It has been shown to reduce signs of depression and improve the sense of happiness and wellbeing.

Other things lavender essential oil has been known for historically include its antiseptic properties which has been back up by studies. It has been shown to be effective treating bacteri including antibiotic resistant MRSA, fungi including Candida albicans and protozoa. The essential oil is also a good insect repellent and is used for burns.

The flowers may be used internally for insomnia and an upset stomach. This is sometimes seen in sedative tea blends or bath blend and may be used as a tincture by your medical herbalist or naturopath.

Bee foraging on lavender today