Welcome to the very first Lavender Link Flower Power Page!

What else could we start with but our namesake the lavender plant. (Lavandula angustifolia/vera/officinalis).

Under the astrological sign of Virgo, the lavender was also dedicated to Hecate, the powerful goddess of ancient times. It was said to avert the evil eye and, according to Hildegard of Bingen it helped to ‘maintain a pure character’ – reflecting its reputed power to preserve chastity!

It has been used for thousands of years as a healing herb and perfume. The name lavender derives from the Latin ‘lavare’ - to wash – as the Romans, famous for their obsession with hygiene, used lavender to perfume their baths.

The plant originated in the Mediterranean but has since been cultivated in many other parts of the world. Although France may be thought of as the main producer of fine lavender oil, English lavender was once thought even better – certainly by the English herbalist, Mrs Grieve. Writing in the 1930’s, she regrets the loss of the great lavender growing areas of southern England and mentions Mitcham lavender as the finest of all. Today, Mitcham is a concrete sprawl of houses and retail parks on the outskirts of London and its fragrant past only recalled in the street name – Lavender Avenue.

Essential oil of lavender is a wonderfully gentle yet powerful all round healer. Its tonic action helps lower high blood pressure, encourages restful sleep, reduces mental and physical tension and encourages the healthy growth of new skin tissue after wounds or burns. Use 5 drops of lavender and 4 drops of peppermint oil in 15ml of base lotion to make a soothing headache balm to be applied to the forehead and nape of the neck. Add 4 drops of lavender oil to a warm bath in the evening to combat insomnia, or vapourise the oil in your room before sleep. Lavender can also be used in a footbath to relieve swollen and tired feet after a hard days work. For small skin burns, apply a drop or two of neat lavender oil to the skin to prevent scarring and ease pain.

If you are going abroad, lavender oil is a must to take with you. It can act as an insect repellent, will help keep clothes fresh and, if blended in a vegetable carrier oil, can be used to ease the pain of sunburn. In fact, essential oil of lavender has been a ‘must’ for travellers for many years; Mariana Starke mentioning it in her list of indispensable items for the travelling lady in 1820!

Well, there is so much to say about lavender that it hasn’t left room for much else! But..here is another plant from the Labiatae family that you – or your cat! - might have met. Catnip, also called catmint, the flower of cats or feline Prozac. Cats will go wild at the scent, rolling in it, rubbing against it and generally becoming kittenish with pleasure. It has been used - for people! -in herbalism for respiratory infections as it stimulates the circulation and encourages sweating - take it as a hot tea. It is also reputed to help ease period pains and pre-menstrual tension. Culpeper said that catnip was a herb ruled by Venus, and other herbalists of the 17^th century recommended it for women’s health problems. It is an easy plant to grow in the garden and very attractive with small mint green leaves and tall heads of purple flowers – your cat will thank you for planting it!

If you would like to know about other plants used in herbalism and aromatherapy check out the links below.