Lavender: A Fresher Way To Live

The beautiful purple flowers you see hiding throughout your town, city, field or backyard and not just a pretty sight for sore eyes. They have many positive health benefits and has been used since the time of when the Egyptians built the pyramids. So.. a very long time.Below I've described a short snip it of how it was originally used in the Ancient World.

When the tomb of king Tut was opened in Egypt there was jars filled with unguents ("a soothing preparation spread on wounds, burns, rashes, abrasions or other topical injuries") that had something that looked like Lavender in it. These unguents were used in cosmetics, massage oils and medicines by high priests and the royal family. Wealthy men would put cones of it on their head and would let it melt, to cover their body with perfume.

In Greece, the Greek philosopher Diogenes preferred to anoint his feet, rather then the Egyptians anointing their head. He said "When you anoint your head with perfume, it flies away in the air and the birds only get the benefit of it, whilst if I rub my lower limbs it envelopes my whole body and gratefully ascends to my nose."

Ancient Romans used it for healing, antiseptic, for deterring insects and in washing. Dioscordes, a Greek military physician under the Roman Emperor Nero, said that when used internally it could relieve indigestion, headaches and sore throats. Externally it could be used to clean wounds, burns or treat skin ailments. Dioscordes had written a 5 volume book called De Materia Medica, in which he describes medical plants from around the Mediterranean and their uses. Lavender had been laid on the floor to sweeten the air, fumigate sick rooms and as a religious incense.

There are many uses for Lavender. From cooking and getting its health benefits right to putting a few drops on your pillow for a restful nights sleep.

English Lavender is commonly used for in cooking:

• Flowers are a nice addition to salad
• Lavender butter or sugar can be spread on toast
• Lavender honey
• Lavender jelly, for spreading on toast or bagels
• Cookies and Ice Cream
• Vinegar
• Can be used along with other savoury herbs

You may also drink lavender tea for its healing and stress relieving properties. The tea can also help with insomnia, anxiety, upset stomach, flatulence and colic. It can help reduce the body temperature during a fever by inducing sweating.

Lavender used in aromatherapy can help with soothing the skin, digestion, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, depression and stress. It can be added into water in a pot on the stove to put it into the air. Energy practitioners put it into the air to cleanse auras and to get rid of negative energy.

While in your home you can burn the lavender stems in your fireplace for a nice scent also the stems can be burnt like incense sticks (with no leaves of course), dried flowers can be hung in dingy closets, can be put in a drier approved bag and throw it in your drier for a nice smell. Lavender furniture polish and air fresheners. Personally I've just used it mixed in some water and sprayed directly on my furniture. Lavender is a natural antiseptic cleanser and can be used in cleaning dirty areas, child toys, I also find it perfect for cleaning windows and getting a streak free shine.You can use it in soaps, shampoos and lotions.

Lavender has antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, and anti-depressant properties. For internal use, generally you would out 1-3 drops on a sugar cube. You will either have to buy the Essential oil or buy a Still..and of course know how to use it and make the oil yourself. Also there are "how to's" online that walk you through the process of making it without a distiller. Beware that the purchased oil is capable of making you nauseous and you are advised if you are taking it internally, take it in very small doses. Also inhaling it is a great way to relieve stress, induce sleep and relaxation. Just do as I said before a put a couple drops in a couple cups of water on the stove and breathe in the steam. Just do not burn yourself.

Externally Lavender is one of the safest to use and you are able to use it full strength on the skin. It can be applied directly for cuts, scrapes, wounds, burns, bee, wasp, and insect stings, rashes, muscle aches, rheumatism, arthritis, cold sores, canker sores, blisters, bruises, athlete's foot, and rubbed directly into the temples in case of headache or migraine.

In closing, I hope you've enjoyed because I enjoyed writing. This oil is just one of many that has many positive benefits for all of us. Just by opening up your mind to the world and what it has to offer us, we can all live Happy and Healthy

PEACE