Lavender

In earlier times, women often kept herb gardens and used the plants grown there in many ways. Lavender was such a plant. Besides having a pretty flower and being used in soaps and scents, lavender has many medicinal uses. 

The flowers are collected and used in tinctures, infusions, or lotions. Infusions are steeped in hot water and strained to make a liquid. Tinctures include a little alcoholic beverage as a preservative in the same way cough syrups do. Essentials oils from the plant are included in the lotions and salves for topical use.

Lavender has been used to treat tension headaches, nervous exhaustion, depression, indigestion, and labor pains since ancient times. It also has a mild sedative. A weaker version is given to babies for colic. Other uses include a chest rub for asthma and bronchitis, a hair rinse to keep lice and nits away, a massage oil, a mouth wash for bad breath, and a relief for insect bites and stings. Maybe we all should consider planting a little lavender.

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