Milk and Sugar in your Lavender? (Lavender)

Member Name: barbara107

Product:	Lavender
Date:	08/11/01 (84 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wonderful scent, Many uses

Disadvantages: Makes horrible tea

Lavender to me is one of the most glorious smells imaginable, I think this is possibly due to my Mum, who has passed away, it being her favourite scent.

However there is so much more to Lavender than its wonderful scent as it is also considered a natural remedy for a range of ailments, from insomnia and anxiety to depression and mood swings, and it is claimed that lavender essential oil may be as effective as certain drugs in treating sleep disorders.

As well as Aroma therapists using it to relieve some of the above symptoms, Herbalists treat skin ailments, such as fungal infections, burns, wounds and acne with the plant oil. It is also used externally in a healing bath to treat rheumatism and circulation disorders. Being conscious of my feet and legs with the potential for circulation problems due to my Diabetes (See also op on feet!) I use it in my bath about once a week, even if it's not working then I smell great!

The plant itself is quite hardy and I have a couple of well established bushes growing in my own garden. It is a heavily branched short shrub that grows to a height of about 60 cm. Its broad rootstock bears woody branches with erect, rod-like, leafy, green shoots. A silvery down covers the gray-green narrow leaves, which are oblong and tapered, attached directly at the base, and curled spirally. The oil in the lavender plant's small, blue-violet flowers is what gives them their fragrant scent.

I gather the flowers and dry them and use them in various lotions and potions and have even made little Lavender bags as gifts when cash has been tight.

The uses for Lavender are endless and inexpensive if you grow your own, the only thing I have drawn the line at it making tea out of them ( Infusions..giving it it’s posh name.) Where tea is concerned I am a Tetley’s girl!!

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