Lavender

Species Name: Lavandula angustifolia (Lavandula vera).

Also known as: Aspic, lavandin, spike lavender, and true lavender.

What is Lavender: Any of various aromatic Old World plants of the genus Lavandula, especially L. angustifolia, having clusters of small purplish flowers that yield an oil used in perfumery.

The fragrant dried leaves, stems, and flowers of this plant. A pale to light purple to very light or very pale violet.

Lavender is a plant whose leaves, seeds, or flowers are used for flavoring food or in medicine. Other uses of herbs include cosmetics, dyes, and perfume.

The name is derived from the Latin word herba, meaning “green crops.” Lavender, is an herb in the mint family that is primarily used for its fragrance in gardens and in personal care products, but lavender is also used for cooking.

The different varieties are sometimes categorized as English lavender, French lavender, Italian lavender, and Spanish lavender.

Home remedies using lavender:

Benefits of Lavender:

Lavender has been used for many purposes including the obvious uses in sachets, perfumes, and scents, but also has been used for loss of appetite, nervousness, insomnia, acne, headaches, diabetes, rheumatic pain, nerve pain, and colds.

Lavender is a good antiseptic.

Uses of Lavender:

Aromatherapy, sachets, fragrances, and have been used for medicinal purposes despite the lack of conclusive evidence in controlled case studies.

It has been used for loss of appetite, nervousness, insomnia, acne, headaches, diabetes, rheumatic pain, nerve pain, and colds. Lavender is a good antiseptic.

If you choose to take lavender, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements (such as pill, caplet, or capsules) may provide a more reliable dose of the product. Take the pill forms of lavender with a full glass of water.

Side Effects of Lavender:

Two cautions: Be sure to clearly mark culinary lavender and not to substitute personal care products or florist's lavender in recipes.

It is not recommended that young boys should avoid personal hygiene products that contain lavender oil, as it has resulted in gynecomastia, the abnormal development of breasts in boys. Please check with a health professional for any concerns.

Use caution when taken with anything that causes drowsiness, or in operating hazardous machinery, since Lavender is known to have a sedative effect.

Although rare, allergic reactions to lavender may occur. Stop taking lavender and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or if you develop hives.

Other less serious side effects have not been reported, although they may occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.