History of Lavender

The history of Lavender is understood to be from the Mediterranean, Middle East and India. Its origin goes back 2500 years ago. Lavender is a flowering plant of the mint family identified for its beauty, its sweet floral fragrance and its many uses. Lavender originates its name from the Latin ‘lavare’ meaning ‘to wash”. The Romans used Lavender to scent their baths, beds, clothes and even hair. They also discovered its medicinal properties. Lavender is grown commercially for extraction of its oil from its flowers and to some degree from its foliage. The oil is obtained through a distillation process.

Therapeutic and practical uses:

Lavender oil is an essential oil, it can be taken orally, applied to the skin, and breathed in through aromatherapy.

The famous relaxing effects of lavender, from blooming gardens to aromatherapy oils and bubble baths, individuals have long claimed that lavender has calming and relaxing benefits. And now, scientists have confirmed that the smell of the purple plant really does help people unwind. So much so, that it could even be used to calm patients before surgery, as an alternative to sleeping tablets and to treat anxiety.
Lavender essential oil used as a disinfectant, an antiseptic, an anti-inflammatory and for aromatherapy. It is one of the most popular and versatile essential oils used in aromatherapy. Lavender oil promotes relaxation and believed to treat anxiety, soothe headaches, migraines and motion sickness when applied to the temples. It is frequently used as an aid to sleep and relaxation, lighten skin, and reduce wrinkles. An infusion of Lavender is claimed to soothe and heal insect bites, sunburn and small cuts, burns and inflammatory conditions and even acne. Lavender oils are also used for internal medical conditions, among others indigestion and heartburn.

Lavender oil for acne:
Lavender oil works to kill bacteria, and this can avoid and heal acne breakouts. It unclogs pores and lessens inflammation when applied to the skin. To use lavender oil for acne, dilute it in coconut oil or another carrier oil and apply it to your skin after washing your face.
You can also use lavender oil as a facial toner by mixing two drops of lavender oil with one teaspoon of witch hazel. Soak a cotton pad in the blend and then tenderly rub it over your face. For a specifically stubborn pimple, argan oil can help reduce inflammation. Mix one drop of lavender oil with a drop of argan oil and put it directly onto a pimple twice a day.

Soothes eczema and dry skin:
Eczema, causes skin gets dry, itchy, and scaly. It can appear mild or chronic and in several locations. Since lavender has antifungal properties and lessens inflammation, it can help keep eczema at bay. Lavender oil can also be used to treat psoriasis. The lavender oil helps cleanse your skin and reduces redness and irritation.To use this essential oil for eczema, mix two drops with an equal amount of tea tree oil, alongside with two teaspoons of coconut oil. You can use it daily.

Lavender oil skin lightening
Lavender oil can assist in skin lightening since it decreases inflammation. It can lessen discoloration, including dark spots. Lavender oil helps lessen blotchiness and redness. If you have hyperpigmentation on your skin, lavender oil might be able to help with that as well.

Lavender oil for face wrinkles
Free radicals are partially accountable for fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Lavender oil is full of antioxidants, which help guard you from the free radicals. To use lavender oil for wrinkles, use a few drops of the essential oil along with coconut oil. The mixture can be used as a moisturizer once or twice a day.

Anti-inflammatory ability
Agonising inflammation can be treated with lavender oil. The oil’s pain-relieving and numbing effects assist soothe the inflammation, while the beta-caryophyllene in the oil also acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. To treat the inflammation on a burn, combine one to three drops of lavender oil and one to two teaspoons of moringa or coconut oil. You can apply the mixture three times a day.
If you have a sunburn, a lavender oil spray can help. In a spray bottle, combine a quarter cup of aloe- vera juice, 2 tablespoons of distilled water, 10 to 12 drops of lavender oil and jojoba oil. Shake the bottle and spray onto your sunburn. Use the spray two or three times a day until the sunburn heals.

Insect repellent
Many commercial mosquito repellents contain lavender oil. Lavender oil acts as an insect repellent, and it can relieve itching after a bite occurs. Insect bites cause redness, itching, and pain. They can sometimes become infected. Lavender oil helps relieve insect bites by warding off bacteria and reducing inflammation
Both candles and sprays can be used to repel mosquitos and other bugs. You can add seven drops to the candle and put it outdoors. For a spray, mix eight ounces of water and four drops of lavender oil in a spray bottle and shake it. Because it’s a natural remedy, you can spray it on your body and your clothes before you go outside. To treat an insect bite with lavender oil, mix one or two drops with a carrier oil, like coconut. Put the mixture on the bite twice a day or more. If your pain stings, a drop of peppermint oil mixed in can help numb it. Lavender oil also works well for treating poison ivy.

Wound-healing properties
lavender oil may help speed up the wound-healing process, a burn, cut, scrape, or another wound. To use lavender oil on small wounds, mix three or four drops of lavender oil together with a few drops of coconut or tamanu oil. Apply the mixture on your wound with a cotton pad. If your wound has already healed, lavender oil can reduce remaining scars as well.

Practical uses:
Dried Lavender flowers are used greatly as fragrant herbal filler inside sachets – to freshen linens, closets and drawers. As an air spray, it is used to freshen in essentially any room. Dried lavender flowers have also become popular for use at weddings as decoration, gifts and as confetti for tossing over the newlyweds.

Culinary Uses:
As a member of the mint family, Lavender has been used for centuries in the preparation of food either by itself or as an ingredient of Herbs de Province – an herb combination which captures the flavours of the sunny south of France.
Lavender provides a floral, slightly sweet and sophisticated flavour to soups, salads, meat and seafood dishes, desserts, cheeses, baked goods and confectionery. For most cooking applications it is the dried flowers that are used although the leaves may also be used. Only the buds or flowers contain the essential oil of Lavender which is where the scent and flavour are best derived.