Lavender is the other herb that I use regularly even though it doesn’t grow wild anywhere that I ever am.
Lavender is also how my mom got into herbs. She called me one time complaining of a headache. I happened to know that she had received a bottle of lavender essential oil for Christmas, so I suggested that she rub some into her temples. She didn’t think it would work, but she tried it anyway and was shocked to find that it did help. The next week she called to ask me what to do about this cold she had. She was so congested. “Lavender,” I told her. Yeah, right. This stuff works for headaches and runny noses? She tried it and was amazed when it worked again. A few days later her dog developed a hot spot and she called to ask what to do. “Lavender,” I told her again. I think she thought I was crazy, but she tried it and it worked great. The next thing I knew she’d ordered two pounds of bulk lavender from Mountain Rose and was reading Susan Weed. Today she has dried lavender in a pepper grinder at her kitchen table and she regularly sprinkles it over her salads.
Lavender has a long list of medicinal properties: it is anodyne, anti-anxiety, antidepressant, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, appetizer, astringent, carminative, decongestant, deodorant, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, immune stimulant, nervine, sedative, stomachic, and vulnerary. Many of those properties are rather mild, though. We’ll only talk about a few of them here.
Lavender tincture is the first thing I reach for when anyone get’s burned. It stops the pain immediately (really, it’s amazing), it reduces and prevents swelling, and it helps to tone and dry blistery kind of burns.
Lavender is also a favorite for those little stingy paper cuts, or bigger cuts that need some good disinfecting. It has an amazing willingness to take the ouch away, as well as disinfecting, drying and toning damaged skin tissues, and promoting healing.
When Bro has diarrhea lavender is one of the first things I try. Its antispasmodic properties are relatively slight, so I generally combine it with a little ginger. I use a dropper twice a day for diarrhea in me or Bro, and it dries it right up (careful, too much can cause constipation). In addition to helping dry and tone the stomach, lavender relieves the gas and anxiety that often accompany diarrhea.
To make an awesome natural deodorant, make a lavender infusion in witch hazel. It will have the added benefit of repelling mosquitoes.
Lavender can be ordered in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs. Click here to learn how to make a tincture, or buy tincture already made from Blue Turtle Botanicals.
mmm, lavender. I really should use it more than i do. We all have our favorites. maybe you should take part in my blog party this month with this post eh??
Oh where would I be without luverly lavender? It has been a blessing for my ultra sensitive skin.
Awesome post.
Lavender is awesome as a drink. If you have a metal tea ball, you can try this drink out. Steam some milk and put a bit of cinnamon in it. Pour it over the tea ball and you will have a great bedtime drink!
I usually get this lovely herb at my fav organic coffeeshop, Birds and Beans.
I love lavendar, but never knew what to do with it. I have a good sized lavendar bush that is 2 years old in my yard. My wife dried it and places it in cloth to put in clothes drawers to make it smell good.
Now I know many more uses. And I know how to make the salves, tinctures, etc.
Thanks for sharing! Now I will put that lavendar in my yard to a good use. I just got a papercut not 5 minutes before I read this. And my wife has a cold. So, it sounds like lavendar will work like a charm.
I did make some rosemary infused olive oil, and it is wonderful. I may try the same with some lavendar.
I just love herbs. I want to learn more about all their medicinal uses.
Mmmmm Lavender. Not only is it insanely versatile, but it smells luverly. Great post, btw. I’m definitely going to try making some Lavender oil. I’m itching to get down to the health food store place. Yay!
At the end of this post, you say “click here” to find out how to make lavender tincture, but I don’t see a link for it. Where can I look for instructions? Thanks!
Ooops, sorry. I fixed it.
Okay, but now it just goes back to this very page… Am I missing something?
Crap. Here it is – http://hobostripper.com/index.php/250/how-to-make-herbal-infusions-tinctures-oils-and-salves/
I’m about to make my first purchase from Mountain Rose Herbs. Hope you get a little slice o’the pie : )
I use honey for burns- pulls the heat away and prevents blisters…I’m a huge fan of Lavender (it’s everywhere out here in L.A.) and am now going to infuse soem honey with it for burns….
hmmm…and tea…and to bathe in.
Wild lavender grows all along the trails in Asheville’s Pisgah Nat’l forest. Just follow your nose… 🙂