|
|
 |
|
 |
Lavender (Lavandula
angustifolia Miller) |
 |
| Kingdom: |
Plantae |
| Division: |
Magnoliophyta |
| Class: |
Magnoliopsida |
| Order: |
Lamiales |
| Family: |
Lamiaceae |
| Genus: |
Lavandula |
| Species: |
L. angustifolia |
| Others name: |
Common lavender
Garden Lavender
Spike lavender |
|
Description:
An evergreen Shrub growing to 1.2m by 1m.
Lavender is a strongly aromatic shrub
growing to 1-2 m tall. The leaves are evergreen, 2-6 cm long
and 4-6 mm broad. The flowers are pinkish-purple (lavender-coloured),
produced on spikes 2-8 cm long at the top of slender leafless
stems 10-30 cm long.
Distribution and habitat:
Hedge; Cultivated Beds; East Wall In; South Wall In; West Wall
In.
Lavender is a flowering plant native to the western Mediterranean
region, primarily in the Pyrenees and other mountains in northern
Spain. It is not native to England despite being commonly called
'English lavender' in some regions.
Parts used:
Flowers.
Constituens:
The principal constituent of Lavender is the volatile oil, of
which the dried flowers contain from 1.5 to 3 per cent fresh
flowers yielding about 0.5 per cent. It is pale yellow, yellowish-green
or nearly colourless, with the fragrant odour of the flowers
and a pungent, bitter taste.
The chief constituents of the oil are linalool and its acetic
ester, linalyl acetate, which is also the characteristic ingredient
of oil of bergamot and is present in English oil of Lavender
to the extent of 7 to 10 per cent. Other constituents of the
oil are cineol (in English oil, only a trace in French oils),
pinene, limonene, geraniol, borneol and some tannin.
Lavender oil is soluble in all proportions of alcohol.
Edible Uses:
Condiment; Tea.
Leaves, petals and flowering tips - raw. Used as a condiment
in salads, soups, stews etc. They provide a very aromatic
flavour and are too strong to be used in any quantity. The
fresh or dried flowers are used as a tea. The fresh flowers
are also crystallized or added to jams, ice-creams, vinegars
etc as a flavouring. An essential oil
from the flowers is used as a food flavouring.
Medicinal Uses:
Antihalitosis; Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Aromatherapy; Aromatic;
Carminative; Cholagogue; Diuretic; Nervine; Sedative; Stimulant;
Stomachic; Tonic.
Lavender is a commonly used household herb, though it is better
known for its sweet-scented aroma than for its medicinal qualities.
However, it is an important relaxing herb, having a soothing
and relaxing affect upon the nervous system. The flowering
spikes can be dried and used internally in a tincture, though
the extracted essential oil
is more commonly used. The essential oil is much more gentle
in its action than most other essential oils
and can be safely applied direct to the skin as an antiseptic
to help heal wounds, burns etc. An essential oil
obtained from the flowers is antihalitosis,
powerfully antiseptic, antispasmodic,
aromatic, carminative, cholagogue, diuretic, nervine, sedative,
stimulant, stomachic and tonic.
It is not often used internally, though it is a useful carminative and nervine.
It is mainly used externally where it is an excellent restorative
and tonic - when rubbed into the temples, for example, it can
cure a nervous headache, and it is a delightful addition to
the bath-water. Its powerful antiseptic properties
are able to kill many of the common bacteria such as typhoid,
diphtheria, streptococcus and Pneumococcus, as well as being
a powerful antidote to
some snake venoms. It is very useful in the treatment of burns,
sunburn, scalds, bites, vaginal discharge, anal fissure etc,
where it also soothes the affected part of the body and can
prevent the formation of permanent scar tissue. The essential oil
is used in aromatherapy.
Its keyword is 'Immune system'.
Others Uses:
Essential; Hedge; Incense; Pot-pourri; Repellent.
The essential oil
that is obtained from the flowers is exquisitely scented and
has a very wide range of applications, both in the home and
commercially. It is commonly used in soap making, in making
high quality perfumes (it is also used in 'Eau de Cologne'),
it is also used as a detergent and
cleaning agent, a food flavouring etc and as an insect repellent.
When growing the plant for its essential oil
content, it is best to harvest the flowering stems as soon
as the flowers have faded. Yields of 0.8 - 1% of the oil
are obtained. The aromatic leaves
and flowers are used in pot-pourri and as an insect repellent in
the linen cupboard etc. They have been used in the past as
a strewing herb
in order to impart a sweet smell to rooms and to deter insects.
The leaves are also added to bath water for their fragrance
and therapeutic properties. They are also said to repel mice.
The flowering stems, once the flowers have been removed for
use in pot-pourri etc, can be tied in small bundles and burnt
as incense sticks.
Lavender can be grown as a low hedge,
responding well to trimming. There are several varieties,
such as 'Hidcote Variety', 'Loddon Pink' and 'Folgate Blue'
that are suitable for using as dwarf hedges
30 - 50cm tall.
Dosage:
A fine nerve tonic may be made by preparing a tincture
(Lavandulae composita) of lavender, rosemary, crushed
cinnamon, and nutmeg. Dabbed on the forehead, this eases
nervous headaches and quickly calms a fever.
Infusion: to take internally, pour a cup of boiling water
onto 1 teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse
for 10 minutes. This can be drunk three times a day.
Infusion: steep 1 tsp. leaves in 1/2 cup
water. Take 1/2 to 1 cup per day.
External
use: the oil should not be taken internally
but can be inhaled, rubbed on the skin or
used in baths
Oil: take 5 drops on a sugar cube
or mixed with 1/2 to 1 tsp. honey, 2 times per day.
Bath: mix 5 drops of essential oil
in warm water; a soothing bath.
Safety:
None known
Warning:
|
All information given hereby are only for knowledge
purposes. In no way they are intended for self-diagnosis
or self-therapy. Only a doctor can suggest you
diagnoses and therapies, therefore make contact
with your doctor for any medical advice. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
