Lavender

lavanda

The Lavenders are a genus of about 25-30 species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. The genus includes annuals, herbaceous plants, sub shrubs, and small shrubs. The flower-stalks are used for preparing Lavender essential oil, cut 15-20 from the flower.

Analgesic - for muscles pains, tense muscles, rheumatism, sprains, backache and lumbago, migraines, headaches. Massage with lavender oil is used to relieve pain in the joints.
Anticonvulsive and Antispasmodic
Used in treatment of skin conditions such as acne, wrinkles, psoriasis, and other inflammations. In combination with chamomile is used to treat eczema
Carminative
Decongestant, used to relieve various respiratory problems
Diuretic - It enhances the urinary flow, increasing the production of urine, also reduces cystitis as well as inflammation of the urinary bladder. It reduces any associated cramps.
Digestion - increases the peristaltic of the intestine. It also stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile and is useful in treating indigestion, stomach pain, colic, flatulence, vomiting and diarrhea
Stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus
Lowers blood pressure
Benefits the immune system

Culinary
Both fresh and dried flowers and leaves are used in culinary

preparations. Its taste gives an unusual pleasant accent to a wide array of foods. Recipes using Lavender are generally on the sweet side but Lavender can be used to replace Rosemary and other strong tasting herbs.

Lavender is an excellent supplement in savory baked goods, with chicken and lamb, potatoes, herbal teas, jams and jellies. The term “gourmet’s delight” is deserved by the honey derived from lavender flowers; this honey is used as a sweetening agent. Grinding lavender with granulated sugar will be a wonderful constituent to dessert recipes, also as a wonderful way to sweeten lemonade or, it can be blended with other herbs, as in herbs de Provence (Lavender leaves and flowers mixed with other members of the mint family, like Rosemary, Sage, Oregano, Thyme and Mint). Lavender blossoms are often added to white vinegar lending it their fragrance and flavor, which is called lavender vinegar.

Historical use
Some varieties of lavender, were first thought to have been domesticated in Arabia. Lavender was used in ancient Egypt for embalming and cosmetics. Unlike the ancient Egyptians who anointed their heads, the Greek philosopher Diogenes preferred to anoint his feet “…if I rub it on my lower limbs it envelopes my whole body and gratefully ascends to my nose." The Greeks and the Romans bathed in lavender scented water and it was from the Latin word "lavo" meaning "to wash" that the herb took its name.