| Health Mail Vol.1 Issue 2 | Title : Lavender | 1/1 |
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(Lavendula angustifolia) Lavender is regarded as the most versatile essence therapeutically. The oil is extracted by steam distillation from the fresh flowering tops. It blends well with most oils especially citrus and florals. The oil mostly comes from France. Although it is indigenous to the Mediterranean, it is now grown all over the world. True Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) is not to be confused with Spike Lavender (Lavendula latifolia), which produces an inferior oil. Home Use Skin care: - Abscesses, acne, allergies, athlete's foot, boils, bruises, burns, dandruff, dermatitis, earache, eczema, inflammations, insect bites and stings, insect repellent, against lice, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies, sores, spots, sun burn, wounds. Circulation, Joints and Muscles: - Lumbago, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism, sprains. Digestive System: - Abdominal cramps, colic, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea. Respiratory System: - Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, halitosis, laryngitis, throat infections, whooping cough. Genito-urinary System: - Cystitis, dysmenorrhea, leuchorrhea. Immune System: - Flu. Nervous System: - Depression, headache, hypertension, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension and stress related conditions, PMT, sciatica, shock, vertigo. Lavender is used in pharmaceutical antiseptic ointments and as a fragrance in soaps, lotions and perfumes. It is also used as a flavouring agent in food and drink. Dried flowers are used in scented pillows, sachets, moth repellents and pot-pourris. It is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising. Botanical Description: It is an aromatic perennial subshrub, which grows up to 80cm in length on a woody stem. Leaves opposite, entire very narrow, lanceolate or oblong-linear, 2-5 cm long, the smaller often clustered in axils, grey-green and tomentose. Flowers usually grey-blue, 6-15 mm long in spikes on peduncles from 10-20 cm long; appearing mid-summer to early autumn. Sources: The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism: Editor Malcolm Stuart Complete Essential Oils by Julia Lawless |
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