Haven't done much reading or writing since the back end of last year.
Thanks to everyone who has re...
Haven't done much reading or writing since the back end of last year.
Thanks to everyone who has read my recent reviews - I promise to get round to some serious reading soon!
Member since:20.01.2003
Reviews:40
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“Being an inhabitant almost in every garden, it is so well known, that it needs no description.” The Compleat Herbal:Nicholas Culpeper.
That was said way back in 1653, so how can I presume to write an op on this most diverse and versatile of herbs?
Because, despite all the hype, and the saturation of today’s market with lavender this and lavender that, it really is a beautiful and fragrant plant to have in the garden regardless of whether you use it for any purpose other than to give your senses of sight and smell an occasional treat.
So, where did this common little herb come from? It is indigenous to the Mediterranean and it is generally agreed that in all probability it was introduced England by the Romans. Indeed, the Romans penchant for bathing (lavere) probably gave rise to the name we know this plant by today. However, it may interest you to
know that some believe that the plant was first domesticated by the Arabians. Furthermore, it is mentioned in the Gospel of St. Luke: “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard [lavender], very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair."
(More about Mary, her profession and lavender later…)
I am no real gardener. I potter. But I have never had any trouble growing lavenders. I will say that I have never grown them from seed. Most have been from cuttings from plants at the family home, (Doesn’t that sound grand? It isn’t really. It’s just that my father still lives in the house that his grandparents bought) and my grandfather and my mother were very green fingered. When I have bought lavenders I have bought small plants, ready to plant on into pots or into the garden. What I am trying to say is that, in my experience, lavenders are not namby-pamby plants. They are fairly robust and have always survived with my own haphazard methods of gardening.
I particularly like to have lavenders near to my kitchen door, and yes, I do drape laundry over my lavender bushes to pick up the scent. I also like lavender hedging, but not regimented; it has to be just untidy enough so that you brush it when you pass, sending up that soft scent. I guess for people who have only experienced lavender in its commercial garb, the idea of this may seem quite sickly. Believe me it is not. The scent of lavender in its natural state is quite different to the vast majority of oils and potions that you can buy. Unless you have acres of the stuff, it is not overpowering, although it can be quite heady depending upon the weather and time of day.
I also dry my lavender. The simplest way is to cut long stems, strip any leaves away, tie the lavender in bunches and hang it, upside down, somewhere dry and airy. Once dried, these can then be used as they are, or the flower heads can be stripped for use in pot pourri, to make infusions, or oil and etc.
Because of its commercial popularity, many people are aware of some of the uses and properties of lavender. But, it’s medicinal properties are so vast, they are worthy of mention.
Oh! And the reference about Mary? Lavender was used prolifically by prostitutes to specifically attract men for sexual affairs - conversely, lavender was also carried along with rosemary to preserve chastity!
The medicinal properties of lavender are, and this is not exhaustive: “Antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, diuretic, sedative, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, relaxant, antibacterial, and antiseptic.”
Impressive eh? And there’s more…
In it’s time it has been used as a cure for “cancer, colic, faintness, flatulence, giddiness, migraine, nausea, neuralgia, nervous palpitations, poor appetite, pimples, rheumatism, sores, spasms, sprains, toothache, vomiting and worms.”
The essential oil, apart from making you feel good (as most commercial sellers will tell you) is effective against a number of bacterial infections, including some flu viruses. It also has anti-fungal properties and is effective against yeast infections. Whilst the oil stops itching when applied to insect bites, as an ointment lavender is good for burns, bruises and skin injuries.
An impressive little devil isn’t it?
But at the end of the day, I would rather have my lavender bushes, in my garden with their delightful array of colours and subtle scents than all the aromatherapy in the world.
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