Lavender

Latin Name: Lavandula augustifolia, Lavandula officinalis 

Common Name: Lavender

Lavender is a fragrant, beautiful, and hardy perennial flower. Its spikes attract bees and butterflies alike. It has a wide range of medicinal uses and is a commonly used her for many herbal preparations. Native to the south of France and southern Mediterranean region, it grows well in zones 5-8. Generally, it likes sunny, warm spots with slightly sandy soil. It can grow quite tall in the right conditions. Harvest the buds when they just begin to open. 

Parts Used: flower buds

Constituents: Flavonoids, Linalool, eucalyptol, limonene, coumarins, tannins.

Actions: Antidepressant, Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, nervine, diaphoretic, antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral 

Medicinal Uses: 

Lavender is known for its calming effects. It has mild antidepressant properties, which help to dispel depression and melancholy. It can help strengthen the heart and mind in stressful situations too. Lavender's traditional use as an antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral has been confirmed by scientific studies, making it a helpful herb to topical preparations. 

Topical: Lavender buds can be infused in oils, but is mostly known for its use as an essential oil. Lavender essential oil is one of only a few essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin, undiluted. It's often called 'first aid in a bottle'. It is an excellent addition to topical applications helping to address a variety of concerns. It's antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and it has nervine properties, which makes it an excellent choice to apply to the skin on its own or in a blend to treat nail fungus, direct scrapes, cuts, wounds, eczema, stings, insect bites, burns, acne, and rosacea. 

Adding lavender buds to a sachet, or essential oil to a bath can help relieve tension, stress, and insomnia.   

Internal: the buds are found in spice blends such as Herbes de Provence, and have been known to adorn cookies or be included in herbal teas, especially those for addressing digestive concerns such as indigestion, Crohn's and IBS.  

Used In: Little Acorn's Baby Balm, Little Acorn's Baby Massage Oil, Little Acorn's Sleep Baby Sleep Remedy Roller, Adult Go to Sleep Remedy Roller, Eczema Bee Gone Salve, Cocolicious Body Butter, Sweet summer blossom body butter, Detoxifying Body Oil, Facial serums, facial cleansing oils, facial cleansing grains, herbal facial toners