About Lavender
The Benefits of Lavender
What is Lavender?
Lavender is an herb native to northern Africa and the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean. Lavender has been used since ancient times for its medicinal and healing effects, unique fragrance, and to enhance the flavour of food.
The herb is highly regarded for skin and beauty and is commonly used in fragrances and shampoos to help wash and purify the skin. In fact, the word lavender originally stems from the Latin word lavare which means “to wash”.
What are the health benefits of lavender?
The use of lavender is believed to have many relaxing, healing and therapeutic properties, such as:
Stress reduction
Lavender has a calming scent which may be an excellent tonic for nerves and anxiety issues. It may also be helpful in treating migraines, headaches, depression, nervous tension and emotional stress. The refreshing aroma may remove nervous exhaustion and restlessness while also increasing mental activity.
Insomnia
The lavender fragrance is a relaxant that may help to induce sleep, which has made it a common recommendation for an alternative treatment of insomnia. Research shows the scent lowers heart rate and blood pressure, putting you in a relaxed state. It may have such a relaxing impact on people that it can often replace modern medicine for sleep issues.
Enhance the flavour of food
Culinary lavender can be used to add a delicious touch to honey, teas, salads, sauces, soups, meats and fish, chocolate, biscuits and ice cream. When experimenting with culinary lavender it is important to add the lavender gradually to suit your taste.
General skin care
The health benefits of lavender oil for the skin are due to its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It is used to treat various skin disorders such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammatory conditions. It is commonly used to speed up the healing process of wounds, cuts, burns, and sunburns because it improves the formation of scar tissues.
Respiratory disorders
Due to its anti-bacterial qualities, lavender oil may be used for various respiratory problems including throat infections, flu, cough, cold, asthma, sinus congestion, bronchitis, whooping cough, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. The oil is either used in the form of vapor or is applied on the skin of the neck, chest and back.
Hair Care
Lavender essential oil is useful for hair care because it may be very effective in reducing dandruff. Furthermore, lavender essential oil may also be helpful in the treatment of hair loss, particularly for patients who suffer from alopecia, an auto-immune disease where the body rejects its own hair follicles.
Become a Member
Interested in growing lavender on a larger scale?Become a member of the Ontario Lavender Association today!