I have had a beautiful purple flowering Lavender plant growing in my little garden. To my chagrin – the harsh winter killed most of it and I am left with but a small, although healthy looking shoot. I am nurturing it in hopes that it will have a speedy come back.
Here’s why.
Lavender is not only pleasant to look at, it is soothing to the soul and healing to the body.
Let me tell you the ways I love Lavender.
Lavender and Roses Carrie ©
I love Lavender for:
1. Its sweet aroma.
I use it as a natural perfume.
One drop of Lavender oil behind the ear is all it takes.
I use it as an air freshener.
A few drops of Lavender in a spritz bottle makes a great air freshener. I also have a little container of dried flowers in my house at all times. Just pinch a few in your fingers and inhale. You’ll feel your body relax.
Put flowers into a cotton pouch, add a little embroidery if you are so inclined, and squeeze and sniff.
2. Its soothing properties.
I use a drop on the pillow at night.
Lavender is calming to the heart, relieves anxiety and soothes the nervous system. Soon, sleep comes sweetly.
3. Its culinary uses.
I use it in tea and put it in salad.
Lavender makes a great addition to a cup of tea or even salad.
For a pot of tea use about 1 heaping Tbsp. of the Lavender flowers.
(fresh or dried)
For Salad, sprinkle as desired.
Lavender is has been used to aid the digestion since ancient times.
4. Its healing properties.
I use it for healthy skin.
Add a few drops of Lavender oil to your bath. It will lift your spirit, calm the body and heal the skin.
Add a few drops of the oil to your all natural body lotion. From ancient times Lavender was used for it’s healing, antiseptic properties.
Lavender is often used to treat burns and wounds. Keep a spritz bottle of water with a few drops of Lavender oil added, in your beach bag. Spray lavishly onto skin after spending time in the sun. On hot days, I spritz to keep cool.
Here is MY “squeeze and sniff” Lavender pouch.
Notice the embroidery. No, I didn’t make this one. This was a gift from a friend. I make very good use of it.
My husband is hooked on Lavender too. Not to be outdone, he took a sock, filled it with dried flowers and put it into his car. Talk about smelly socks.
My husband's Lavender "squeeze and sniff" pouch
And… a few more interesting pieces of information:
Did you know that Lavender is known as a love potion?
Apparently, in Roman times “women hung Lavender next to their beds to incite the passions.”
http://www.lavenderenchantment.com/History_Lore/history.htm
Did you know that Lavender is mentioned in the Bible?
“Lavender is mentioned many times in the Bible. In ancient Greece, Lavender was called “nardus,” “nard,” or “spikenard” (named for the Syrian city of Naarda) and was used as a cure for everything from insomnia and aching backs to insanity.”
http://www.auracacia.com/auracacia/aclearn/features/lavender.html
Several passages in the Christian Bible which mention Lavender (spikenard):
Song of Solomon (Canticles) 1:12
“While the king is at his table, my spikenard sends forth its fragrance.”
Song of Solomon 4:13, 14
(King Solomon talking about the love of his life)
“Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with pleasant fruits, fragrant henna and spikenard… spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices.”
If you are a romantic at heart, the book of Song of Solomon is a must read book.
Mark 14:3
“…And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper as He (Jesus) sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenards. And she broke the flask and poured it on His head…”
(This woman is showing honor to Jesus by giving him her most costly possession)
John 12:3
“…Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil…”
(Here Mary gives the very best she has to Jesus, showing Him honor)
Here’s another good site to visit. Very nicely done.
http://www.healthmad.com/Alternative/10-Uses-for-Lavender.47948
Nuggets of Gold 