Lavender True
by Connie Handscomb
Title
Lavender True
Artist
Connie Handscomb
Medium
Photograph - Photography - Fine Art
Description
English Lavender
Lavandulua augustofolia; L. officianlis, L. spica
Family : Labiatae
Boil a good handful of lavender flowers in enough water to cover for 10 minutes. Strain into the bath and have a long soak.
Sprinkle a few drops of lavender essential oil or a little good quality lavender water on your pillow to enhance the effect - and you will be asleep in no time.
~ John Parkinson, herbalist and apothecary to King James I (fr. Paradisus in Sole)
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This is the most widely grown and used lavender for cosmetics and scent. It has often considered to be the true lavender.
The first cultivation of lavender was in 1568, although it is said the Romans brought lavender to the British Isles much earlier. The Romans used it in their baths: the word come from the Latin lavare meaning to wash. Once in England, the monks grew it in the monasteries. It was used as an insect repellent. The French began growing it for its perfume in the 17th century. It grows wild in the Mediterranean hillsides, in the Canary Isles, and in India.
Lavender is used for headaches and migraines; the oil can be rubbed into the temples or drink a tea made from the flowers. It is also used for burns, stings, nervous disorders, chest infections, and as a cough suppressant; also, throat infections, skin sores, inflammation, rheumatic aches, muscular aches, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. It has antiseptic qualities that help heal cuts. The oil kills diphtheria and typhoid bacilli; also streptucoccus and pneumonoccus.
Burning it on a low fire can perfume a room. Lavender sachets are used as a moth repellent. Oil in the bath can soothe and calm. In the kitchen, lavender is used for cookies and biscuits, in jellies and vinegars, and the flowers can be crystallized.
This herb was used against the Evil Eye in times long past, and legend has it that lions and tigers became docile with its scent.
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1.2 litres (2 pints) pure alcohol
1 T. oil of lavender
1 T. essence of bergamot
1 1/2 tsp. essence of ambergris
5-6 drops musk
Put all the ingredients into a bottle; shake well. Store 3 months before use to sooth and calm inflamed skin (or to tone normal skin).
~ Commonplace Book, 1813
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Source:
The New American Herbal [S.Orr]
The New Guide To Herbs [A. Clevely]
Jekka's Complete Herb Book [J. McIvar]
Country Wisdom [R. Richardson]
Uploaded
August 9th, 2015
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Comments (4)
Tina LeCour
Love the simplicity Connie..beautiful!! lf
Connie Handscomb replied:
Thank you, Tina ; sometimes less .. is more ; glad you like the simplicity of Mother Nature :))