Lavender

Origin and traditional use

Lavender is native to the Western Mediterranean (Spain, France, Italy, North Africa). Its name comes from the Latin lavare ("to wash") — referring to its use by the Romans to perfume bath waters and laundry. The Greeks and Romans already valued its medicinal-aromatic properties; it appears in traditional manuals from Hippocrates and Dioscorides. In medieval and Renaissance Europe, lavender was one of the most cultivated plants in monastic gardens — used for medicinal infusions, balms, perfumes and as protector against the plague (during the great epidemics of the Middle Ages, the herbalists who collected the corpses sprinkled themselves with lavender as alleged protection against contagion).

In French popular tradition, especially in Provence (the major world producer of lavender oil even today), the plant has central cultural importance: dried bunches in homes (perfume the wardrobes and repel moths from clothes), traditional perfumes, lavender honey, festivals dedicated to the harvest. Spanish and Mediterranean herbalist tradition similarly values it.

Properties and use

Empirical-medicinal properties (validated by modern scientific studies): calming, anxiolytic, slightly sedative, anti-insomnia, analgesic for tensional headaches, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory of the skin, repellent of insects. The lavender essential oil is one of the few that, in standard recommended doses, can be applied directly on the skin without dilution (most essential oils require carrier oil). Tea/infusion of dried lavender flowers — relaxing before sleep.

Esoteric properties: 1) Energetic cleansing — lavender is one of the most gentle cleansing herbs (compared to the more energetic palo santo or sage). Especially indicated for spaces inhabited by sensitive people, children, pets — does not produce intense smoke and has soothing aroma. 2) Spiritual protection — small bouquets of dried lavender as protection of doors and windows. 3) Calm and inner peace — direct work on the nervous system through aromatherapy. 4) Conscious restorative dreams — lavender essential oil on the pillow, sachets of dried lavender under the bed. 5) Magic of love — invokes gentle harmonious romantic love (without the intensity of rose). 6) Daily blessings — incorporate lavender in daily rituals as gentle constant blessing.

How to use it

1) Cup of lavender tea at night before sleeping (1 teaspoon of dried flowers, infuse 5-10 min, drink hot). 2) Pillow with sachet of dried lavender for restorative sleep. 3) Diffusion of essential oil in oil aromatic diffuser to harmonise spaces. 4) Few drops of essential oil on temples or behind ears for tensional headache. 5) Bouquet of fresh lavender on the windows (cleansing and protection). 6) Combine with white sage or palo santo in less intense cleansings for sensitive spaces. 7) Lavender bath — flowers in the warm bath water for total ritual relaxation. Caution: strong essential oils can be problematic in pregnancy or with epileptic conditions — consult a doctor.