Lavender is known under the names lavenda, levanda and despic, and has a Latin name Lavandula officinalis. It belongs to the family of usnacs Lamiaceae. Lavender is an evergreen fragrant semi-shrub that can grow up to half a meter. Stems are upright with opposite leaves. They bloom in June and July, and the flowers are pale purple and grouped in spikes.
The whole plant is rich in essential oils that have a very strong and above all pleasant smell. It is a western Mediterranean plant, and in our country it is mostly grown on the coast. It can also be grown in continental regions, but plants grown in this way have significantly less essential oils.
It is considered one of the most honey-bearing plants in our region because bee pasture is generally safe and rarely fails. The only drawback is that lavender has no pollen and due to its scarcity the bees almost disappear or weaken.
Lavender flowers are known to be used in herbal cushions as a moth repellent in wardrobes. Essential oil is also produced, which is often used in aromatherapy, especially for skin care.
The history of lavender
Lavender has been mentioned since before Christ in the oldest written documents, and it was known under the name Nard, which was among the first to be introduced by the Greeks. After them, lavender is also mentioned in the Bible after the city of the same name in Syria. In the Old Testament, it is often mentioned with other spices, and there are records of how Judith perfumed herself with fragrant oil before seducing an enemy commander to kill him and save Jerusalem.
In the New Testament, it is known that Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with nard oil. One of the ancient legends related to lavender is that the Virgin Mary dried Jesus’ clothes on a lavender bush. In history, and even today, there was a long-held belief that lavender protects against evil forces, so it was used to make a cross that was placed above the entrance to every Christian house.
The ancient Egyptians used lavender for mummification, and the Arabs and Phoenicians used lavender to make famous perfumes. It arrived on the island of Hvar from France in the 18th century and thus spread to the surrounding areas. Even today, France has a leading position in the cultivation and production of lavender preparations and is very determined to preserve the old culture and tradition, because throughout history laundresses have used it for washing and drying clothes.
Cultivation and harvesting of lavender
Lavender can be grown in gardens in the form of a hedge or as an independent bush, in the greenhouse and in containers. For both seedlings and adult plants, it is very important to provide permeable soil to which a lot of light reaches, because lavender does not tolerate acidic soil and shady areas well. The immediate proximity of other plants does not suit it either, as it needs to be provided with a sufficient amount of water and nutrients. In gardens, lavender blooms twice a year and can remain and grow in the same place for up to 30 years.
When grown in a greenhouse, planting should be done in early spring to take advantage of incoming natural light. For the development of the plant’s roots, the ideal starting temperature is 15 to 18°C, while it needs a temperature of 7 to 12°C to flourish. After lavender takes the form of a bush, it becomes much more resistant to higher temperatures.
In order for lavender to grow well in a jar, it will require at least 8 hours of daylight, as well as feeding, more frequent watering and soil drainage. The potting soil should be a mixture of compost, peat and extended-release fertilizer. After flowering, all flower stalks should be cut off to encourage new plant growth. This rule applies to all types of lavender cultivation.
It is possible to harvest lavender by hand, if it is a matter of smaller plantations, or by machine, if it is a matter of larger plantations. When the first half of the flowers on the stem open, lavender is ready for essential oil production and picking. A mechanical harvest is recommended to achieve a uniform cut of 10 cm on the last flower on the stem.
It is important to respect the right time for picking or harvesting lavender, which is in the morning or late afternoon, so that it does not dry up suddenly during the high summer heat. It is also important to harvest it during the dry season, because external humidity and rain cause water to accumulate in the plant, which reduces the quality of the essential oil. That is why after the rain it is necessary to wait at least 3 to 5 days for the lavender to dry completely.
Preparation of lavender tea
Lavender tea is made from flowers only or a combination of flowers and leaves. Pour 1 tablespoon of lavender with half a liter of hot water and strain after 3 minutes. It is drunk very warm and in sips. Tea prepared in this way helps with sleepiness and fatigue, pallor in the face and acts as a medicine that prevents stroke.
The tea can also be prepared by pouring 2 teaspoons of lavender flowers with ¼ of boiling water, straining after 5 minutes and sweetening with honey. They drink 3 to 4 cups a day, with slow sips to calm the nerves, in case of fainting, dizziness, migraine and heart palpitations caused by neurosis. Tea prepared in the same way is also drunk as a medicine for stomach and bile problems.
A tea mixture of 2 tablespoons of lavender, 1 tablespoon of anise, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon can be prepared as a medicine against dropsy, which are added to a liter of hot water. One liter is drunk daily for a period of 2 weeks. After that, you need to take a break for a week and continue drinking tea.
As a remedy for insomnia, a tea mixture is prepared from equal parts of lavender, St. John’s wort, St. John’s wort and primrose. 2 tablespoons of the mixture are boiled for about 10 minutes in 1 liter of water. Then the tea is strained and 3 to 4 cups of warm tea are drunk a day, in slow sips.
It is also possible to make a decoction in wine, a tincture, a well-known massage oil, and a pillow filled with dried flowers that will drive away moths from the closet or simply ease a headache caused by nervous problems.
The use of lavender
Flowers are primarily used for medicinal purposes, due to the rich content of lavender oil. The upper parts of the stem with leaves and flowers are also used, which are harvested at the time of flowering, tied into bundles and dried. Lavender is known to have a calming effect on the central nervous system and is an excellent remedy for sick eyes and ears because it removes harmful substances from the head.
Helps in the treatment of:
- tremors and stiffness
- headaches caused by neurosis
- anxiety, depression, tension and stress
- insomnia
Lavender essential oil is a very good remedy for various types of sciatica pain, muscle inflammation, rheumatism and sprains. It also has a beneficial effect on the urinary tract because it stimulates urine production and regulates urinary disorders. Regulates hormones, relieves inflammation of the urinary bladder and cystitis, and reduces spasms. Given that the essential oil lowers blood pressure, it is used as a medicine for hypertension. If lavender essential oil is used regularly, resistance to diseases will increase.
Possible side effects of lavender tea consumption
Before you decide to use tea or other lavender preparations for medicinal purposes, you should consult your doctor, especially if you regularly drink certain medications that affect the nervous system. Lavender tea is not recommended for people with low cholesterol, pregnant women, people who are sensitive to sunlight and people who take blood thinners.
Side effects such as nausea, skin irritation and vomiting may occur if the tea is consumed in excessive amounts.
In case of any type of allergic reaction, it is necessary to stop drinking lavender tea immediately.
Drying and storing lavender
If you plan to use lavender to repel moths in closets or for potpourri, then it is best to dry it immediately after harvesting. Harvesting is done after all the flowers have opened and the pollination process has stopped. The lavender is arranged in small bundles and hung with the flowers downwards and left in an airy place to dry.
On average, it dries up to 2 weeks, but the process varies depending on the percentage of moisture in the air and the climate. When the lavender is completely dry, it is very important to protect it from moisture and oxygen in order to retain the unique scent of the essential oil. It is best to store it in well-closed containers where it can last up to 2 years.
Source: Moja Zimnica, Photo: Hans / Pixabay