Lavender flowers are used for different purposes: in cooking, as a medicine, in cosmetics and love spells.
In Ancient Arabian and Greek medicines, lavender was used as an antiseptic.
In Europe, especially in Mediterranean-like climates, lavender has been used for a long time to promote natural sleep, to strengthen the nervous system and as an ancient cure for headaches.
The name lavender comes from the Latin lavare, meaning “to wash”, which is perhaps why lavender was used to scent washed fabric since ancient times. There are many varieties of lavender. Common lavender is
Common lavender is lavandula officinalis, most frequently used in today’s households around the world. Other types of lavender are English (lavandula angustifolia), French (lavandula dentate), garden lavender, spike lavender and Spanish (lavandula stoechas).
Lavender Benefits
- Anxiety, insomnia and mood enhancement
- Muscle relaxant
- Used for cuts and insect bites
- Improves concentration
- For gastrointestinal disorders
- Good for digestive problems
- Antidepressant
Lavender can be found as a leaf, extract, or as oil, taken as a tincture or tea, used in baths or inhaled from a diffuser.
The reason why lavender is such a valuable herb with different healing powers is that its purple flowers are stacked with aromatic essential oils such as linalyl acetate, camphor and linalool. Thus, having antibacterial, antibiotic, antiviral, and antiseptic properties.
While some use lavender for medicinal purposes, other use lavender in cooking especially in dessert preparation (as a flavor). Lavender can be used in baths, on pets, on the skin, in the bathroom, to scent bed linen, or in wardrobes to protect clothes from moths. And if you have insects’ invasion, use lavender oil – they hate it.
When it comes to magical use: Lavender has long been used in love spells and sachets. Clothing nabbed with the fragrant flowers (or lavender placed in drawers with clothes) attracts love. A piece of paper on which you’ve rubbed lavender is excellent for writing love notes. The scent of lavender mainly attracts men. Lavender is also used in healing mixtures, carried to see ghosts, and worn to protect against the evil eye. (Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs)
Lavender flowers are also burned to induce sleep and rest and are scattered about the home to maintain its peacefulness. And if you want your wish to come true: Place lavender under your pillow while thinking of your wish. Do this just before going to sleep. In the morning, if you had dreams related to your wish, it will come true. :)
Nice to know: some varieties of lavender are loaded with sedative compounds that can penetrate the skin. For a sweet, refreshing and aromatic bath, toss lavenders into your bathwater. And if you need some sleep, add some soothing lavender and melissa to your bath and have a nice and resting sleep.
