Lavandula officinalis, L. angustifolia (Lavender)

Lavender is one of those plants that you just can’t go wrong with in your garden. They smell great, they are beautiful to look at, the honeybees love them, and they are such a gentle medicine to have on hand.

My lavender is grown in a large old trunk and has been doing well there for many years. I do need to amend the soil each year with new compost since it isn’t grown in the ground.

This is a perennial shrub that does well in zones 5-8. The habitat for lavender is native to the Mediterranean but it has been naturalized in the southern United States. It does prefer soil with a pH of 7.1 and well-drained soil; and it prefers full sun.

Here is a portion of my materia medica:

PARTS USED: Flowers, essential oil.

ACTIONS/PROPERTIES: Antidepressant. Anti-inflammatory. Antimicrobial. Antispasmodic. Aromatic. Carminative. Diuretic. Nervine. Mild Sedative. Stomachic.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Volatile oil including linalool, lavandulyl acetate, borneol, camphor, limonene, cadinene, coumarins, ursolic acid, flavonoids (luteolin).

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Respiratory system, liver, nervous system.

USES: Conjunctivitis, headaches, minor burns, sunburn, insect bites, bee stings, congestion, scalp treatment for itchiness, dandruff, and lice (oil), colic, lessens anxiety and depression, tension, insomnia, amenorrhea, inflammation, carpal tunnel syndrome, fainting, psoriasis, trichomonas and gardnerella vaginitis, muscle spasms, convulsions, stammering, nervousness, wounds, improves mental alertness, nightmares, nervous asthma, nervous stomach, indigestion, vomiting w/acidic vomit, bowel atony w/pain, flatulence w/pain, sour breath, and nausea.

I make homemade lavender soap using the flower buds. The soap smells amazing and is one of my husband’s favorites. Check out the soap here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/507549327/handmade-natural-lavender-soap-lavender?click_key=53933b3e7c4c86d30f0cf2d6ac83c29a03f0cf20%3A507549327&click_sum=0128d344&ref=shop_home_active_14

I also make a wonderful comfrey salve with lavender essential oil. Check that out here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/788156652/comfrey-salve-echinacea-salve-wound?click_key=30458d5263fd7da881f63f9cf164e9e78ab465a3%3A788156652&click_sum=9ebe53ed&ref=shop_home_active_2

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use during pregnancy. Do not take the essential oil internally because it is toxic.

REFERENCES: Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health by Rosemary Gladstar The Way of Herbs by Michael Tierra, L.Ac., O.M.D. A Modern Herbal by M. Grieve The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke, Ph.D. 300 Herbs Their Indications & Contraindications by Matthew Alfs Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth by Dr. Sharol Marie Tilgner

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