What is lavender for and how to use

Lavender is a very versatile medicinal plant, as it can be used to treat various types of problems such as anxiety, depression, poor digestion or even insect bites on the skin, for example, due to its relaxing, calming, antispasmodic, analgesic and antidepressant properties.

This plant can also be known as Lavender or Lavandula, but its scientific name is Lavandula angustifolia and can be purchased in health food stores, drugstores and in some markets or fairs.

What is Lavender for

Lavender serves to treat several problems, presenting several effects on the body, such as:

Decrease anxiety and agitation; Reduce blood pressure; Decrease fever; Stimulate the healing of thrush; Stabilize heartbeat; Reduce migraine pain; Promote relaxation; Improve sleep quality; Reduce stress; Combat depression.

However, it is best to always consult a herbalist to assess whether the plant can be used for the type of problem being treated, or whether there is a plant with the best effect.

How to use Lavender

The used parts of Lavender are its flowers, leaves, stem to make teas, essential oil or to be used in cooking.

1. Lavender Tea

Lavender tea is great for treating problems with poor digestion, stomach upset, migraines, spasm and bronchial asthma and can be prepared as follows:

Ingredients:

70 g of Lavender flowers; 1 L of boiling water.

Method of preparation:

In a pot, when the water is boiling add the lavender flowers and let it boil for 5 minutes. After that time, remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes, always straining before drinking.

This tea should be drunk up to 3 times a day, it is recommended to drink it after each main meal.

2. Hot bath with lavender

The hot lavender bath has an excellent relaxing, calming and tranquilizing effect that helps in the treatment of excess stress, anxiety and sleep problems. To prepare a lavender bath, simply add 100 g of dry lavender flowers or 6-7 drops of essential oil to the hot water.

Another way to use Lavender in the bath is to put 100 g of Lavender flowers in a thin fabric like a baby diaper, for example, tie it to make a bag and attach the bag in the shower using string. In this way, the water comes in contact with the plant and spreads the medicinal properties of Lavender throughout the body. In place of dried flowers, the plant's essential oil can also be used, which can be previously added to chamomile or mint tea bags for example.

In addition, to treat sleep and stress problems, bags of dry plant flowers can also be used, which should be placed under the pillow, so that they act throughout the night calming and relaxing.

3. Essential Oil Massage

Massage with lavender essential oil at the temples is especially indicated to calm headaches caused by stress and muscle tension. To do this massage, you should rub 4 to 5 drops of essential oil on your fingers and then massage your temples in a circular motion for a few minutes. If you feel that the headache is being caused by tension in the neck, after the temples you should massage the back of the neck in also circular movements. See how to do a relaxing massage using this essential oil in How to Massage Relaxing with Essential Oils.

In addition, due to its calming properties, the essential oil can also be used to treat insect bites, for which it is recommended to pass 1 to 2 drops of oil on the bite.

Possible side effects

The main side effect of Lavender is drowsiness, due to its relaxing and calming properties, but this only occurs when it is ingested in excess.

Who should not take

Lavender is contraindicated for patients with gastric ulcers and during pregnancy, and is also contraindicated for patients with allergy to essential oil

In addition, lavender also has properties that benefit the skin and face, and can be used to provide natural hydration. See how by clicking here.