luxuriating with lavender

This

simple, multi-purpose herb can be effective for your mind, body and home

BY FARz ANA ShA

To condense its many properties into a nutshell, it is known as the ‘mothering oil’. Indeed, the healing, soothing and calming qualities of the lavender plant and its oil are so numerous and its uses and benefits so many, that this title could not be more befitting.

Apart from making your house smell like a bouquet and being one of the most popular of aromatherapy oils, lavender is a versatile herb that has been used historically as an antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, anti-fungal and anti-depressant, due to its medicinal properties.

Lavender can be used in variety

For the mind

The strong scent of lavender oil is a great stress reliever and mood lifter. Fresh or dried lavender flowers can also be used for this purpose. Just crush a few between your fingers to release their aromatic scent and inhale slowly and deeply. This has been proven to work within minutes to relieve stress, nervous tension or feelings of panic and anxiety.

To ease symptoms of depression it is recommended to try the lavender inhaler. This can be made by adding two drops of lavender essential oil to two cups of boiling water and inhaling the steam. It works wonders for inducing sleep and encouraging the mind to relax. It is also used to treat insomnia and headaches.

Lavender tea made by pouring boiling water over fresh or dried flowers, letting it infuse for a few minutes and then drinking it calms the nerves, helps you sleep better and settles the stomach by aiding digestion. For headaches and migraines, try massaging the temples with a few drops of lavender oil. Also, a few drops of lavender oil on the pillow encourage a relaxing sleep. A ball of cotton soaked in lavender oil and stuffed deep inside your pillow serves the same purpose, besides making your room smell heavenly.

For the body

Lavender oil is safe enough to be applied to the skin in its full strength. Dab it behind the ears, on the hair, wrist or anywhere on the body to smell delicious. Add a few drops of oil or a handful of flowers to your bath water for a relaxing soak.

People have used lavender oil successfully to ease muscle aches, rheumatism and arthritis and it can be used to treat stings from bees, wasps or other insect bites.

Owing to its antiseptic properties, lavender oil can be applied directly to cuts, scrapes, burns or wounds. It is soothing on rashes, bruises, blisters, cold sores and athlete’s foot. People have used lavender oil successfully to ease muscle aches, rheumatism and arthritis and it can be used to treat stings from bees, wasps or other insect bites.

Add a few drops of lavender oil to a spray bottle full of water and spray on sunburned skin for instant relief.

Lavender is also helpful in controlling eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions.

Lavender is used to control acne and treat other skin problems. Lavender water is great for removing makeup and toning the skin, and lavender tea can be used to rinse the hair to get rid of dandruff and prevent hair loss.

To make an effective insect repellent, mix a few drops of lavender to a little sunflower oil and apply to the skin.

For the home

Lavender has many uses around the house. The stems are stripped off leaves and burned like incense sticks to perfume surroundings. A few drops of oil dripped on the filter of the vacuum cleaner before vacuuming will fill the house with a tantalizing fragrance. Potpourri and lavender sachets made out of dried flowers can be tucked in cupboards and drawers to scent clothing and repel moths.

You can make a sachet by putting a handful of lavender flowers in a square cheesecloth and tie with a string. Add a few drops of oil as well, for a stronger scent. Throw the sachet in your dryer to make clothes smell nice. One sachet can be used to scent more than ten dryer loads.

To give tiles, timber and slate floors a new shine, add a few drops of lavender to the water before swabbing.

To make ironing easy and give clothes a fresh scent, add lavender water to your iron.

Rub a little lavender oil on the light bulbs in the lamps. When the lamps are turned on the heat will release the beautiful scent.

If you have pets, use lavender as a final rinse during pet wash. This not only repels fleas, but help keep pets smelling nice.

Planted near windows and doors, lavender bushes keep mosquitos out.

Lavender is closely related to herbs like mint, marjoram¸ sage and thyme and can be used with delightful results in salads, jams, custards and cookies.

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