Lavender was named by
the Romans using the Latin word "lavare" meaning to wash. They put
the light purple flowers (which can sometimes also be white or pink) into their
bathing waters. The lavender plant itself is a woody, evergreen perennial shrub
that blossoms from late spring through early autumn. It originated from areas
around the Mediterranean, but now is found in dry-summer, cool-winter areas
throughout the western US and Europe.
Lavender flowers are
comprised from several healthy constituents including:
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Essential oil containing borneol, camphor,
geraniol, and linalool;
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Coumarins;
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Caryophyllene;
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Tannins;
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Other antioxidant compounds;
Formally called
Lavandula (angustifolio, intermedia or officinalis), lavender may also be
called English Lavender, Broadleaf Lavender. Grande Lavender and True Lavender.
Its aromatic flowers are used for quite a lot more than bathing these days.
Here are some of the various uses that you may find beneficial from tinctures,
teas and recipes that contain lavender flowers:
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Helpful as a sleep aid to fight off insomnia;
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Settling nervous stomachs;
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Calming anxiety symptoms;
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Alleviating flatulence and colic;
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Warding off depressive headaches;
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Treating migraines and other menopause symptoms;
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Treatment for diabetes mellitus and insulin
resistance;
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and more!
Do not boil the flower
directly. Rather, simmer it gently to make delicious and calming teas.