BY CLAIR WHITTY
I was sitting in my garden, on one of the rare fine evenings, when the vibrant colours of a Lavender plant caught my eye. I love the deep purple/violet colour, and if you rub the flowers between your fingers and hold them to your nose, you will be treated to the wonderful scent of the plant.
Lavandula angustifolia is one of the most common of Lavenders. This type is known for its fragrance and is often used in cooking and in making essential oils. Lavender is well known for its calming and relaxing effect, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety.
The most common way to use Lavender is as an essential oil. This oil can be added to an oil burner or an electric diffuser to scent a room with a relaxing and calming scent. All you need is a couple of drops depending on the size of your oil burner. You could also add a couple of drops of Lavender essential oil to your bath to aid relaxation in the evening. Lavender oil may be used on its own or you can blend it with other oils to create a variety of blends. Lavender is usually included to help with relaxation, relieve tension, to aid sleep, and to uplift the soul. It is the perfect essential oil to use for massage to relieve tense and sore muscles after a long busy day. Just remember to always dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil first, adding a few drops of Lavender to oils like olive or almond oil.
For relief from headaches and migraine, such massage oils can be massaged into your temples.
Lavender is also traditionally used to treat insomnia. Lavender essential oil, candles, or incense sticks are commonly used for this purpose. You might also like Tisserand Pillow Mist, which is sprayed onto your pillow to help you drift off to sleep. Its soothing scent can promote relaxation and induce sleep. It is said that regular use of lavender oil can help to regulate sleeping patterns.
Lavender has antibacterial properties and is useful to treat insect bites, skin scarring, and acne caused by bacteria.
I know that I am not doing this humble plant any justice, there is far more to this wonderful plant that can uplift the soul than I could possibly say here.
