Natural Remedies - Healing with Medicinal Herbs

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis Lamiaceae)


Other Names: True Lavender, Garden Lavender, Common Lavender, English Lavender

Lavender, a small Mediterranean shrub growing 30–60 cm tall, has erect stems and narrow, silvery-green, aromatic leaves. Known since Roman times for scenting bathwater, its tiny purple flowers, clustered in inflorescences, bloom in summer and are highly fragrant.


Parts for Use

Flowers

  1. Harvested from May to June and dried for preparations, capsules, or essential oil extraction.
  2. Essential oil, primarily produced in southern France, is used in ointments, creams, and gels.

Ingredients

Lavender flowers contain 0.1–1% essential oil when fresh and 1–3% when dried, with key components like linalyl acetate, linalool, and terpinen-4-ol among over 40 constituents.


Use in Treatment

Lavender is renowned for its sedative and calming effects, with Japanese research indicating its scent reduces stress, aiding in depression, anxiety, and tension-related headaches. It relieves cramps, supports digestion, reduces bloating, and improves bile flow, potentially helping certain asthma types. Its antiseptic and antibacterial properties treat minor skin infections, insect bites, and burns. In therapeutic baths, lavender addresses circulatory issues, rheumatic pain, and fever.


Cultivation

Sow seeds in spring in well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in a sunny location.


Preparation and Dosage

For Internal Use (Nervous Anxiety, Insomnia, Digestive Problems)

  1. Infusion for Nervous Anxiety: Steep 2–3 grams of flowers in a cup of boiling water for 5–10 minutes, strain, and drink 3–4 cups daily between meals.
  2. Infusion for Insomnia: Steep 2–3 grams of flowers in a cup of boiling water for 5–10 minutes, strain, and drink 1 cup before bed.
  3. Capsules (300 mg powder): Take 1–2 capsules at bedtime for insomnia.
  4. Infusion for Digestive Problems: Steep 2–3 grams of flowers in a cup of boiling water for 5–10 minutes, strain, and drink half a cup twice daily.

For External Use (Menstrual Pain, Insect Bites, Burns)

  1. Essential Oil: Dilute 3 drops in 10 ml of base oil, massage onto the lower abdomen and back for menstrual pain, or apply to affected areas for bites or burns, twice daily.

Warnings

  1. Consult a healthcare professional before use.
  2. Avoid lavender preparations during pregnancy and breastfeeding, though some advocate use during labor.
  3. Essential oil is not for internal use but can be applied to skin in small amounts for minor burns.