The Story of Lavender
There is a long-documented history of lavender use dating back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome with the use of the oil is well documented for over 2300 years!
As a spice, lavender is best known as an important aspect of French cuisine and is an integral ingredient in herbs de Provence seasoning blends. Lavender may be used on its own to give a delightful, floral flavor to desserts, meats, and bread. The flowers can also be layered within sugar to infuse it with its distinctive aroma for use in cookies and candies. Lavender was also a bath additive in several regions, including Persia, ancient Greece, and Rome. These cultures believed that lavender helped purify the body and mind. It has been thought for centuries to arouse passions as an aphrodisiac and is still one of the most recognized scents in the world.
Today, aromatherapists use lavender to treat headaches and nervousness or restlessness. Massage therapists sometimes apply lavender oil to the skin, which might function both as a calming agent and a sleep aid. In Germany, lavender tea has been approved as a supplement to treat sleep disruptions, restlessness, and stomach irritation. Lavender is most commonly used in aromatherapy. The fragrance from the oils of the lavender plant is believed to help promote calmness and wellness.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), lavender can relieve a variety of mental and psychological woes, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Research shows that drinking lavender oil preparations can improve restlessness caused by anxiety. It can also aid common digestive issues like upset stomach. It’s not, however, an approved main therapy for any of these conditions, and should not take the place of medication prescribed by a doctor.
Try growing some lavender in your garden and brewing yourself a cup before bedtime for a restful sleep.
Making your own lavender tea is easy:
1. Boil 8 oz. of water.
2. Place 4 tsp. of fresh lavender buds into a tea ball or
sachet.
3. Place the tea ball and water into a teacup.
4. Let steep for 10 minutes.
5. Enjoy!
***The NIH does warn about its use in pregnant women — because of a lack of evidence to its safety for the fetus — and prepubescent boys.