Lavender –The Definitive Cure All, First Aid Kit

Lavender is an alluring herb that has journeyed alongside human history offering its healing properties and decorative charm. The Lavender story begins over 2500 years ago when its uses were first recorded. Around 600BC, Greek traders sold the plant to the Hyeres Islands near France where it quickly made its home in Italy, France and Spain. In North America it arrived in the 1600’s along with the English pilgrims. It’s a well travelled herb and has made its home happily across the globe and we are all thankful for it.

The word “lavender” comes from the latin “lavare” meaning to “wash.” The Romans loved public bathing in the steaming hot spring water infused with lavender. They found it therapeutic to take great baths in the grand socializing complex in the middle of Rome. The men would use lavender to wash their heads to ward off any potential illness arising from colds. The Romans loved lavender and used it to perfume linen drawers and their laundry and even hung it from their beds.

The Egyptians used lavender for burial rites. During the mummification process they wrapped the dead in lavender-dipped shrouds. They also used the herb for the creation of perfumes, along with the Phoenicians, Arabians and Greeks. The perfume industry in France was born out of the sought after aroma of lavender. Wealthy people would place solid cones of lavender unguent on their heads and as it melted the lavender would end up perfuming their bodies. It was noted that in the tomb of Tutankhamun the lavender fragrance lingered in urns.

The Greeks used lavender, which they called “nardus” to anoint their feet. Back in 23-79AD Pliny noted that blossoms of “nardus” were considered of high value and sold for 100 Roman denarii which would be the equivalent of a laborers wages for a month.

In the middle ages lavender came to the fore as a disinfectant and to ward off the Black Death (plague). People would wrap bunches of lavender around each wrist to protect themselves from contracting the plague.

Laundry women in the Renaissance and medieval times were nicknamed “lavenders” because they placed the herb in the linen and clothes.

Lavender walks hand in hand with love. People believed it would invoke constancy in love. Tucked under the pillow it was thought to bring thoughts of romance, under the mattress it would inspire and ensure marital passion. Lavender bags worn in the cleavage of young women was thought to attract suitors. Cleopatra was said to have seduced both Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony by wearing lavender infused perfumes.

Young maidens, on St. Luke’s day would drink lavender tea and chant: "St Luke, St Luke, be kind to me, In my dreams, let me my true love see."

For love and romance potion: mix together amber, lavender, rose petals, and violet petals.Or try this Boost blend or the Sensual Synergy Blend

Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) drank lavender tea for migraines and liked to eat conserves made with lavender flowers. Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles the 1st, introduced the use of lavender in soaps and potpourri.

In the 17th century in Ireland, Sir Arthur Rawdon, created a lavender lawn of over an acre at his gardens at Moira Castle. Queen Victoria credited lavender for curing her nerves and she had it used in the palace to wash furniture and floors.

Lavender has been used across the centuries for a range of uses including:

• To ease birth pain lavender was burned with sandalwood.
• To ease the entry into menopause –it is used as a perfume
• For cooking (see recipes below)
• To freshen the air
• To heal wounds and fight infections for soldiers during WW1. Perfect antiseptic
• To improve your mood and lift spirits
• To treat head lice and as an insect repellent
• To calm headaches and dizziness
• As a compress for fevers
• To alleviate menstrual cramps
• For stomach problems, kidney disorder, dropsy, infections and jaundice (Pliny the Roman elder)
• For rabid dog and snake bites
• Poor vision, convulsions, swooning fits and palsy (19th Century Provence)
• To rid a dog of fleas by making it sleep on a bed of lavender
• Shepherds in the fields used it to disinfect the wounds of sheep.
• The elderly used it on painful joints.
• To cure colds and bronchitis it was rubbed on the chest at night.
• Sprigs of lavender in the bouquet of the bride was to ensure a long-lasting and happy union.

These day’s lavender essential oil remains an integral part of anyone’s alternative healing First Aid kit.

• It reduces emotional stress – an anti-depressant
• Heals wounds –minor burns and scalds
• Promotes and improves sleep –a natural sedative
• Slows the aging process with its powerful antioxidants
• Helps to treat psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and acne
• Treats headaches and migraines
• Is a natural antibiotic
• Is a natural antiseptic
• Treats cuts, grazes and boils
• Detoxes the body
• Aromatherapy healing

Lavender is one of the gentlest essential oils that doesn’t always have to be used with a carrier oil. It can be placed directly on a plaster to speed up the healing of a wound. Or you can simply add it to you bath water. Essential oils shouldn’t be ingested but you can get lavender in various forms that can be used in food. Lavender gave birth to the entire healing art of aromatherapy and the inhalation of lavender and other essential oils can have significant benefits for your overall health.

Here are ways to therapeutically use Lavender for accelerated healing.

A cold compress is perfect for headaches, a sprained ankle or other swollen injuries.

• Fill a bowl with icy cold water and add ice cubes if possible
• Add 4 to 5 drops of lavender essential oil into the ice cold water
• Dip a small towel into the bowl of lavender infused water
• Squeeze out the excess water
• Place the towel over the painful area.
• Secure it into place with a piece of cling film or another towel so your clothes remain dry. As
• soon as the compress warms up to body temperature, remove it
• Dip the towel again into ice-cold water and repeat the process.

A warm compress is ideal for reducing inflammation, muscle aches, toothache, earache and menstrual cramps.

• Fill a bowl with water that is as warm as you can handle on your skin.
• Add 4 to 5 drops of lavender oil and follow the process as described for the cold compress above.
• Leave the compress on for 10 -15 minutes
• Dip a small towel into the bowl of lavender infused water
• Squeeze out the excess water
• Place the towel over the painful area.
• Secure it into place with a piece of cling film or another towel so your clothes remain dry.

An ideal antidote for stress. Relieves aching muscles and promotes relaxation.

• Add 6-8 drops Lavender essential oil to a capful of milk or Epsom salts
• Once the bath water has run, add the drops into the bath
• Vigorously agitate water to disperse the oil.
• Jump in, lie back and experience the healing powers of lavender.

• Wet your hair
• Add 3 drops Lavender oil to a capful of water and pour onto your head
• Stand under running water and allow oils to rinse off.
• Cup your hands over your face and breathe in the lavender aroma.
• Add lavender essential oils when shampooing your hair and rinse off as normal.

• Run cold water on the burn for approximately 10 minutes
• Put a few drops of neat lavender essential oil onto the burn area
• Only use lavender
• This can be effective for sunburn as well
• Serious burns must be seen by a doctor.

This is an excellent treatment for sore or injured muscles.

• Add 5 drops of Lavender oil per 10ml of carrier oil.
• Never massage using undiluted oils
• Use 1-2 drops for babies and the elderly.

Essential Oil Blends, Using Lavender in Diffusers:

For easy breathing and healthy immune response. Add these three essential oils to your diffuser.

• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops lemon essential oil
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil

Essential Oil Blends, Using Lavender in Diffusers:

• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops lemon essential oil
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil

Lavender is the dynamic scent of freshness and floral aroma that brings calm and

tranquility into your home and health.