Lavender

Botanical Name:                   Lavendula Angustifolia
Synonym:                              Lavendula officinalis, L. vera
Botanical Family:                  Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Country of Origin:                 Mediteranean region, France, Spain, England & Australia
Plant Part:                             Flowers
Extraction Method:               Steam distillation
Characteristics:                     floral, woody, sweet, herbaceous, balsamic
Properties:                             
analgesic, anticonvulsive, antidepressant, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericide, carminative, cholagogue, cicatrisant, cordial, cytophylactic, decongestant, deodorant, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypotensive, nervine, rubefacient, sedative, sudorific, vulnerary
 
Chemical Constituents:       
α-pinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, cis-ocimene, trans-ocimene, 3-octanone, camphor, linalool, linalyl acetate, caryophyllene, terpinene-4-ol, lavendulyl acetate
 
Indications:
 
Mind & Spirit:                       
           
	
Treats depression, insomnia and  nervous tension
	
Relieves anger and exhaustion
	
Balancing to the central nervous system.
 
Body:             
           
	
Excellent for treating burns, insect bites, wounds, sores and acne. 
	
Useful for coughs, colds, catarrh, sinus and flu, asthma and bronchitis. 
	
Lowers blood pressure
	
Effective for migraines, headaches, muscular pain as well as localised pain.
 
Contraindications:                Nil
Note:                                      Middle
Odour Intensity:                    5
 
Blends well with:                  
Bay, bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, palmarosa, patchouli, pine, rose, tangerine, thyme, rosemary, rosewood, sandalwood, ylang ylang
 
Traditions:                 
Lavender was a favourite bathing cleanser for the Ancient Romans and has been used to speed healing.  For centuries lavender bags were placed in linen drawers to keep moths and insects at bay.  Lavender water was popular in the Elizabethan and Stuart ages and was the favourite perfume to the wife of King Charles 1st.