Eggarton Cottages, Eggarton Lane, Godmersham, Kent, CT4 7DY
Tel/Fax: 01227 730242
(For sale in the Herbs section of the shop)
Also known as Elfleaf and Spikenard. Member of the Mint family. Lavendula comes from the Latin, "to wash" - the Romans used to add it to their bath water. It can be useful as an edging plant to "hold back" those plants which tend to sprawl. Thin grey-green leaves and spikes of blue/mauve or pink flowers. Highly scented. Shrub/bush.
In Roman times, Lavender was one of the herbs dedicated to Hecate, goddess of witches and sorcerors, and her two daughters, Medea and Circe. Also sacred to goddesses who love serpents. In Tuscany, Lavender was believed to ward off the evil eye. Wear with Rosemary to preserve chastity.
It is said that Lavender possessed no scent at all until the Virgin Mary spread Christ's swaddling clothes on a Lavender bush to dry, when from this time it adopted its characteristic scent. It was an ingredient in "Four Thieves Vinegar", which was supposed to render immunity from plague to those who robbed plague victims after death. Carry Lavender and you will be able to see ghosts. Plant around the outside of the house to keep out evil spirits and bad luck.
Vipers were thought to lurk beneath clumps of Lavender which lead to the plant being associated with mistrust. Wearing sprigs of Lavender will confuse witches and evil spirits. Lavender clears the brains of the learned and renders the dimwitted less so! Turner's herbal of 1551 recommended sewing Lavender into a cap to aid the brain. Spouses who place Lavender flowers in their bed will never quarrel. Charles VI of France insisted on having Lavender cushions available to sit on wherever he went. Elizabeth I ordered her gardeners to have fresh Lavender flowers available every day. In medieval and renaissance Britain, washer women were known as lavenders - they dried laundry on Lavender bushes to help scent the material. In seventeenth century London, during times of plague, people were advised to wear a bunch of Lavender around each wrist to protect from plague.
Place Lavender under your pillow whilst making a wish. If you then dream of that wish it will come true. Scatter around the house to promote a peaceful atmosphere. Make a Lavender tea from the blossoms for depression. Dried Lavender sticks can be burnt like joss sticks or on a fire.
Make a Lavender disinfectant by simmering leaves and small stems for 30 minutes. Strain and use. Placing a sprig of Lavender behind the ear may cure a headache. Apparently, the smell of Lavender renders lions and tigers docile! Lavender oil was used as an antiseptic in World War I, treating ulcers, sores and burns. Massage a couple of drops of oil into the temples for a headache. It takes up to 150 lb of flowering tops to produce 1 lb of essential oil. Apply the oil to a nit comb and comb through the hair to help eliminate headlice. The Victorians made a furniture polish from Lavender. It was also a major ingredient in most smelling salts of the time, which were used as a remedy for fainting. A couple of drops of oil on your pillow can help insomnia, or place some Lavender in your pillow.
Lavender fights inflammation and infection. Use it to treat eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and athlete's foot. Ancient Egyptians buried their dead in Lavender-dipped shrouds. The ancient Greeks used it for insomnia, insanity and aching backs. Lavender oil also neutralises poisons in insect and snake bites. Use as a rinse for alopecia. Useful massaged into the back to alleviate pain during childbirth. To make a Lavender skin toner, infuse Lavender buds in witch hazel extract for two weeks. Strain and mix with spring or rose water. Good for oily skin. Lavender bath - steep a handful of dried Lavender buds in boiling water for 20 minutes. Strain and pour liquid into bath.
Some folk would plant Lavender in order to attract fairies. Mary used Lavender to anoint Jesus' feet (referred to in Luke as Spikenard). Christians believe that Adam and Eve took Lavender from the Garden of Eden. In many Christian houses a cross of Lavender was hung over the door for protection. Placing Lavender under the bed of newlyweds would ensure a night of passion! Believed that small venomous snakes would hide under Lavender bushes, which led some people to distrust the plant and associate it with fear. In Spain and Portugal, Lavender was used as a fuel for anti-witch bonfires lit on St John's Eve.
Good butterfly plant. Best in full sun. Flowers should be cut just after opening for optimum fragrance. Clipping the plant after flowering will make it bushy. Old, woody plants will usually regenerate if cut back hard in spring. Plant Lavender with roses to repel rose aphids. Replace when old and leggy. Lavender is best harvested when the flower buds just start to open.
*This sheet is provided for information only and is in no way a prescription for use. Please seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before using*