Lovely Lavender

Lovely Lavender 

If there is a sunny spot on the walkway to your house, that's an ideal place for a potted lavender or bush because its fragrance will surround you each time you arrive and leave. You'll get in the habit of running your fingers over its foliage to release the aroma as you pass. What could be better than a single plant that is decorative, aromatic and provides ingredients for many other projects?  

"When I am an old lady I shall have a lavender bush and sprinkle the blooms upon my sheets and under my pillow; steep it into tea and press its spikes among the pages of my books."  

Lavender has been used for centuries for its healing properties and as a perfume. As far back as AD 77, the Greek and Roman doctors attested to the use of lavender for many physical discomforts. It is said to ease depression, sooth upset stomachs, and calm the itch of inset bites to name just a few of its properties. It can be used for decorating, cooking, and crafting beautiful gifts.  

It is thought that the name of the plant comes from the Latin "lavare", to wash, since the Romans used to bathe in lavender-scented water. They found it refreshing, and it was in this role that the herb was to be valued for many centuries to come. A dab of lavender water on the temples was considered the ideal treatment for the vapours.   Legend tells us, that lavender was brought to Britain by the Romans from southern France.

It was a highly valued plant due to its healing, soothing and insect repelling properties. Lavender oil was also used for massage.   Records show that monasteries used lavender medicinally and it was listed as such, as far back as 1301. The Lady of the Manor used lavender for culinary and medicinal purposes and kept a still-room for preparation and use by family and staff.  

 In today's upscale restaurants flowers are making a comeback as enhancements to both the flavor and appearance of food. As a member of the same family as many of our most popular herbs it is not surprising that lavender is edible; its use in food preparation is also returning.  

Lavender was often used during Tudor and Elizabethan times in the preparation of a wide variety of dishes and was a particular favorite of Queen Elizabeth I. The palace gardeners were required to have lavender flowers available at all times which were used to make Conserve of Lavender (a mixture of lavender flowers and sugar) and sweet lavender tisane (a drink made with lavender flowers, boiling water and honey.)  

Today the flowers can often be found in salads where they bring a dash of color, fragrance and a bitter-sweet flavor. The blossoms and leaves can be used instead of rosemary in many recipes and crystallized flowers make beautiful and tasty cake decorations.  

Many of the purported medicinal uses for lavender have, upon modern scientific testing, proven to be legitimate. Lavender oil does have antibiotic activity effectively killing many common bacteria. Lavender oil was used extensively during world Wars I and II on the battle field and whenever medical supplies became scarce to prevent infection and as a pain reliever.   The sedative effects of lavender are well documented in medical tests demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing caffeine induced hyperactivity, and increasing length of sleep by ingestion or inhalation. The inclusion of lavender in lotions and oils placed on burns and bee stings aids in relieving the pain and its use in massage oils helps in relaxing muscles.  

While many of the medicinal properties of lavender involve the use of lavender oil or dried lavender flowers the stems or "straw" left after stripping the flowers can be burned like incense and have often been used as a means of deodorizing and disinfecting sick rooms.   The other maladies that Lavender is reportedly helpful in controlling include such things as the control of dandruff and hair loss when included in shampoos.

Many of these claims have yet to be tested scientifically, but it is evident that many of the old uses for lavender were more than simply old wives' tales.  

Check out our Lavender Soaps and Lotions at www.NeeNeesSoapShop.com .  We make all natural Goat's Milk Soaps, Goat's Milk Lotions and Creams.  We also have a blog on www.NeeNeesSoapShop.blogspot.com .  Please stop by, our articles change all the time!  

JRV July 2008