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Name
Lavender
Botanical Name:
The
common name Lavender also includes
Lavandula angustifolia (English
or True Lavender)
Lavandula dentana
(French Lavender)
Lavandula latifolia (Spike
Lavender)
Lavendula viridis, Lavendula vera, Lavendula officinalis, as well as
other Lavendula species
Lavendula consists of about 400 species.
The
official species approved for medicinal use is L. angustifolia .
Family:
Lamiaceae,
All species of Lavender are from the Mint (Labiatae) family.
Parts
Used
Flowers,
Leaves
Description
Lavender is a perennial aromatic subshrub native to the low
mountains (800–1,800 meters) of the Mediterranean basin with branched,
crooked, woody stems.
Overview
and Mythology.
The
name Lavender is derived from the Latin lavare, meaning 'to wash', as it
was added to baths for its therapeutic properties and delightful
fragrance that helps lift the spirits.
Lavender
was used as an antiseptic and as a means to get rid of parasites in
ancient Arabian, Greek, and Roman medicines and up to world war 2 to
disinfect hospitals and sick rooms.
Lavender was also used for this purpose during the Bubonic Plague in the
middle ages.
The ancient Greeks called the plant nardus and later the Romans
called it asarum
The Gyu-zhi, or Four Tantras, by Chandranandana is the
earliest Indian medical text to be translated into Tibetan (eighth
century B.C.E.). In it, lavender (Pri-yangku in Tibetan) is
included in psychiatric formulas, still used today in Tibetan Buddhist
medicine, for treating insanity and psychoses, in an edible ointment or
medicine butter dosage form.
In the book Makhzan-El-Adwiya, it is called the broom of the
brain, because it is reputed to sweep away all kafa impurities (Nadkarni,
1976).
The
smell of Lavender helps to lift the spirits.
It is a helpful fragrance to have present at birth and death
since it has calming
properties.
When corsets
were the fashion, ladies would tuck some Lavender oil in a bottle around
their necks to revive them when they were feeling faint.
Distribution
It
is cultivated in France, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, the former Yugoslavia,
the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.
Constituents.
Essential
oils
At
least 1.5% with
Linalyl acetate[25–55%], Linalool,[20–38%], b -
Ocimene,2–6% Camphor, Geraniol,
Eucalyptol, Limonene,
and 1,8-Cineole as its main components.
The neurophysical effects of its essential oil (Tasev et al, 1969), its
choleretic and cholagogic actions (Gruncharov, 1973), its use as a bath
additive for perineal discomfort and repair following childbirth have
all been researched.
Tannins 12% unique to the Lamiaceae.
Coumarins
Flavonoids(Luteolin)
Triterpenoids
Phytosterols
Lipids
Dosage
Recommendations
Infusion:
1–2 teaspoons (approximately 0.8–1.6 g) in 150 ml water (Note: 1
teaspoon flower = 0.8 g).
Bath
additive: 20–100 g for a 20 liter bath.
Medicinal Actions
Analgesic,
Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antifungal, Antirheumatic; Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Aromatic, Carminative,
Cholagogue, Digestive Tonic, Diuretic, Nervine, Rubefacient, Sedative,
Stimulant, Stomach Tonic, Tonic.
Applications.
Tea,
Tincture, Capsules.
Used
in the following internal illnesses
Asthma,
Colic, Cough, Depression, Exhaustion, Fainting, Flatulence, Headache,
Insomnia, Nausea, Nervousness, Pain, Stress, Sunburn, Vertigo, Vomiting
Lavender exhibits activity against Diptheria, Typhoid, Pneumonia, Staph,
Strep and many Flu viruses.
Lavender is a good nerve restorative and also useful as
an antibacterial agent.
Health Benefits of Lavender
The herb mascerated or as an infusion has similar effects as the
oil.
Digestive System
Lavender (leaves chewed) alleviates Hiccups.
Lavender (tea) alleviates Nausea.
Excretory System
Lavender (diluted oil applied as a douche in
females) alleviates Cystitis.
Immune System
Lavender (small quantities of essential oil ingested orally) helps
to prevent several types of Cancer (due to the Limonene and Perillyl
Alcohol content of Lavender oil).
Lavender suppresses some forms of Detrimental Bacteria (according
to folklore).
Lavender inhibits some types of Detrimental Fungi.
Lavender (oil soaked in a cottonwool ball and packed into the
outer ear) alleviates Earaches.
Lavender (diluted and consumed internally) reduces Fever.
Lavender (fumes from Lavender oil inhaled) alleviates the symptoms of
Influenza.
Nervous System
Lavender Oil (five drops added to a sugar cube and swallowed twice
daily or two drops of Lavender Oil applied topically to the temples) is
a folk remedy for the prevention of Migraines
Respiratory System
Lavender (tea) alleviates Sinusitis.
External Medicinal Use
Acne, Burns, Cellulite, Cold Sores, Eczema, Edema,
Fatigue, Halitosis, Headache, Infection, Insect Bites, Insect Repellent,
Insect Stings, Irritability, Joint Pain, Lice, Muscle Soreness,
Rheumatism, Scabies, Scars, Snakebites, Toothache, Yeast Infection.
Applications.
Use Lavender as a rinse for fragrant hair Essential
oil can be used topically on venomous bites such as bee stings,
mosquitos, black widow and brown recluse spiders, wasps and snakes.
Cardiovascular System
Lavender (oil applied topically to the back of the neck) alleviates
Shock.
Eyes/Vision
Lavender (cooled tea applied topically as an eye bath) alleviates
Bloodshot Eyes
Musculoskeletal System
Lavender (tinctures applied topically or added to bath water)
alleviate muscular Cramps. alleviates Gout.
Lavender (added to bath water) alleviates Muscle Pain (myalgia).
Lavender (oil massaged onto the site of affected areas) alleviates
Psoriasis eruptions.
Lavender (added to bath water) alleviates Rheumatism.
Respiratory System
Lavender (oil vapors inhaled) alleviates the
symptoms of the Common Cold.
Lavender (oil massaged onto the Throat) alleviates Coughs.
Lavender (compress applied to the chest) alleviates the symptoms of
Whooping Cough.
Nervous System
Lavender (aroma from oil inhaled when Lavender is utilized in
Aromatherapy) increases the generation of Alpha Waves by the Brain
(Alpha Waves are associated with relaxation).
Lavender (vapors from Lavender oil inhaled via Aromatherapy) sedates the
Central Nervous System (CNS).
Lavender (oil applied topically to the temples) alleviates
Depression (according to anecdotal reports).
Lavender (oil applied topically to the temples) alleviates Headaches.
Lavender (oil applied topically to the temples or oil used in
Aromatherapy) alleviates Insomnia.
Lavender (oil used in Aromatherapy) improves the quality of Sleep
Lavender (oil used in Aromatherapy) increases the duration of Sleep in
Dementia patients.
Lavender (applied topically as a massage) alleviates the symptoms
of Stress.
Lavender (oil applied topically to the temples) alleviates Travel
Sickness.
Skin
Lavender (oil applied topically to affected
areas) alleviates Acne (due to its ability to inhibit the Detrimental
Bacteria implicated in Acne and also due to its ability to control the
excessive secretion of Sebum that occurs in Acne).
Lavender (oil applied topically) accelerates the healing of
Bruises .
Lavender (oil applied topically) accelerates the healing of first and
second degree Burns.
Lavender (added to bath water) alleviates Eczema.
Lavender (oil as an ingredient in Shampoo) alleviates Itching of the
Scalp.
Lavender (oil applied topically) helps to control the excessive
secretion of Sebum that occurs as a result of Seborrhea.
Lavender (oil applied topically) is an effective Skin cleanser.
Lavender (applied topically to affected areas) very effectively
alleviates the pain associated with Sunburn.
Energetics.
Bitter,
Cool, Dry.
Contra indications and side effect
None known.
Use During Pregnancy And Lactation.
No
restrictions known
Interactions with Other Drugs.
None known.
Doctrine of signatures
The
flowers and smell convey a sense of well being and harmony.
Astrology.
Being influenced by the planet Mercury it is a herb
affecting Gemini.
Chakra
Affects
positively, the first, fourth, fifth and sixth chakras.
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