lavender
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula latifolia or Lavandula officinalis) is a plant in the mint family. There's a color named after it's light violet flowers. It's also well known for its scent. The scent is reputed to have relaxing properties. It is used to perfume many household items -- soap, bath oils, drawer liners and in perfume. Some pests don't like the scent, so it is used as a repellant. And it has some medicinal properties.
Some of the medicinal properties are
- headache relief
- antiseptic
- relaxation (reduction of stress or anxiety)
- stomach calming
- reduction or reversal of hair loss
While generally safe, use strong concentrations can cause harm. Lavender oil can be a skin irritant for some and poisonous. (This site is not a medical site. As with any Web site, consider the source and use caution.)
Related[]
- sachet
- tea
- potpourri
References[]
- University of Maryland Center of Medicine's article on Lavender as a complementary medicine
- US National Institutes of Health's National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Lavender
- Wikipedia's article on lavender
Commercial Sites
- Purple Haze Lavender Ltd. organic products and farm - with on-line store and shipping
- Botanical.com: "A Modern Herbal" - By Mrs. Maud Grieve on lavenders (also available in hardcopy book form)