Lavender...

Lavender

lavendula augustafolia(formerly lavendula officinalis) 

Lavender is under the dominion of the planet Mercury, which presides over communication, the mind and the nervous system. Plants under the rule of mercury are often very ethereal with slender stems and feathery leaves and lavender is a good example of this. In 1647 W. Lilly in his Christian Astrology, reported that Mercurial herbs: ‘have principle relation to the tongue or brain, lungs and memory; they dispell winde and comfort the animal spirits, and open obstructions.’ All these qualities are in fact, present in lavender although the language used by Lilly seems rather archaic.

Lavender has been in use since the earliest times and it is mentioned in the regimen sanitatis Salernitanum (c 12-13^th C) a book of writings about the care of the body, which reports that: “Sage, castoreum, lavender, primrose, Nasturtium, and athanasia cure paralytic parts of the body”.

During the twelfth century, washerwomen were ordinarily known in the north as Lavenderesses, from whence comes our name Laundress. It appears that the title was not gender specific as a ‘Lavender man’ is mentioned in the black book of Edward IV (1442 – 1483). This entry confirms lavender’s enduring association with cleanliness as the lavender man in question was authorised to collect from the stores ‘enough soap for the King’s personal use’.

Lavender appears as a sign of homely hygiene in Izack Walton's Compleat Angler (1653) it says: ‘I'll now lead you, to an honest ale-house, where we shall find a cleanly room, Lavender in the window, and twenty ballads stuck about the wall’.

Lavender is mixed with balm, violets, yarrow and rose petals in love potions and is one of the herbs that may be worn in an amulet to attract the love of a man.

Lavender is also one of the herbs connected to the goddess Hecate who is patroness to witches and sorcerers and also to her daughters Medea and Circe. It is said that an amulet of lavender will avert the evil eye.

In the 17^th century lavender was included in nosegays to prevent the plague and to this end it was also included in the vinegar of the four thieves (see recipe section).  

Mrs Grieve reports that during the Second World War the French Academy of Medicine used the oil for swabbing wounds and other antiseptic purposes. However, recent research has shown the antiseptic qualities of lavender to be rather low and variable from batch to batch. So if it’s antiseptic you want you would be better off looking at Cayenne, Echinacea or Garlic.

Parts used: the flowers

Gathering: the flowers should be collected just before they open between June and September.

Actions:

Anti-depressant

Anti-spasmodic

Carminative

Rubefacient.

Indications: A beautiful herb which has many uses in food, cosmetics and general well being. Lavender has been used since time out of mind for cases of nausea, indigestion and flatulence.

In cases of faintness lavender can be used instead of smelling salts.

This herb will help strengthen the nervous system it is therefore recommended for nervous exhaustion and debility and it is very effective for stress related headaches. Lavender should not be overlooked when treating the symptoms of low mood because it is a gentle tonic for the nerves.

A lavender bath at night followed by a cup of lavender tea works wonders in cases of insomnia especially when caused by stress.

The essential oil has many external uses: mixed with honey it is an excellent treatment for burns after initial first aid with cold water and I have personally witnessed on several occasions a single drop of neat lavender oil in the ear cure a really nasty earache.

A drop of lavender oil neat on the skin is advised at the first sign of spots or pimples.

Lavender oil it is also useful as a component in a liniment for the treatment of rheumatic aches and pains the recipe for which is in the how to section. The essential oil is often added to disagreeable herbal ointments to improve their scent and also because of its long-standing reputation as an analgesic agent. 

Preparation and dosage: infusion: add a cup of boiling water to a teaspoon of dried herb or two teaspoons of fresh herb and infuse for 10 minutes. Drink a cupful 3 times a day.

The oil can be rubbed on the skin, inhaled or used in baths. For perineal discomfort following childbirth 10 drops of lavender oil can be added to a sitz bath, which can be taken when necessary.