Botanical Name: Lavandula officinalis

Plant Family: Labiatae

Common name: Lavendel, Stachaedoes

Origin: Lavender is a shrubby plant indigenous to the mountainous regions of the countries bordering the western half of the Mediterranean. Now cultivated all over the world.

History: Lavender has been around for thousands of years, dating back to at least the ancient Greeks.  

The Romans were responsible for the spread of Lavender throughout Europe and used Lavender:

• in baths
• to fumigate a room in preparation for childbirth
• to expel afterbirth
• to promote menstruation

Lavender was used during the world wars as a powerful antiseptic

Traditional: Lavender flowers were used in:

• healing incenses and sachets (the flowers are burned to induce sleep)
• purification baths and rituals
• the home to maintain peaceful harmony within

Lavender water

• sprinkled on the head was supposed to help in keeping your chastity

Lavender essential oil is said to:

• heighten sexual desire

Carrying Lavender:

• brought strength and courage
• was supposed to enable the carrier to see ghosts

Plant Constituents

Contains: Lavender contains a volatile oil, the main constituents of which are:

• borneol
• cineol (mainly in English Lavender, only a trace in French)
• geraniol
• linalool
• limonene
• linalyl acetate
• linalyl butrate
• pinene
• tannin

Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: The whole herb

Lavender is used in:

Bacterial and Viral Conditions

• retroviruses, such as herpes
• streptococcal and staphylococcus infections

Brain and Nervous System Conditions

• fainting
• gentle, soothing tonic for the nervous system
• invigorates a tired brain
• mental depression
• migraine headache
• nervous anxiety
• nervous tension
• stress
• tension headaches

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• colic
• flatulence (gas/wind)
• gentle, soothing tonic for the digestive system
• nausea
• putrefactive bacteria in the intestines
• stomach problems
• vomiting

Female Conditions

• expulsion of afterbirth
• induces menstruation

Respiratory Tract Conditions

• coughs
• debility and exhaustion
• dizziness

Externally Lavender Water is used for:

• acne
• reducing puffiness
• normalizing the sebaceous glands
• repelling insects

and as a douche in:

• leucorrhea

Externally the oil can be used for:

• burns
• corneal ulcers
• cuts
• disinfecting wounds
• headache relief
• toothache 

Applied as a compress Lavender oil provides relief from: 

• intestinal gas
• neuralgic pains
• rheumatism
• sore joints
• sprains

and

• stimulates paralyzed limbs

A few drops of the oil in a footbath:

• relieves fatigue

Other Uses:

• cosmetics
• embalming of corpses
• dried flowers in potpourri
• insect repellant
• perfumes
• soaps

Action:   

• antihydrotic [an agent which reduces or suppresses perspiration]
• antidepressant
• anti-rheumatic [an agent to relieve rheumatism]
• antiseptic [an agent for inhibiting the growth of microorganism on living tissue or destroying pathogenic or putrefactive bacteria]
• antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or checks spasms or cramps]
• aromatic [a substance having an agreeable odor and stimulating qualities]
• carminative [an agent for expelling gas from the intestines]
• cholagogue [an agent for increasing the flow of bile into the intestines]
• diuretic [an agent that increases the secretion and expulsion of urine]
• sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
• stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the activity of physiological processes]
• stomachic [an agent that strengthens, stimulates or tones the stomach]
• tonic [an agent that strengthens or invigorates organs or the entire organism]
• vermifuge [an agent to expel parasites, worms]

Precautions

Drug Interactions:

Do not use Lavender without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications:

• None indicated