If you're looking for a plant that has it all, lavender is the one to choose. Not only does it have a delightful scent, but lavender also comes with an array of symbolism and benefits. This herbal medicine has been used for relaxation and healing for centuries, and there's a reason why lavender is often considered a sacred plant.
I probably fell in love with lavender when I was an undergraduate student in Santa Barbara. With its Mediterranean climate, lavender thrives there. Just gazing at a gorgeous lavender bush puts me in a better mood. There may be close to one hundred reasons to love lavender. I can name some of them, but let's do a deep dive to get to lavender up front and personal.
Lavender is an excellent choice for beginning gardeners. Lavender is perennial, which means it will come back year after year. It's also relatively easy to take care of, as lavender doesn't require a lot of water or fertilizer. There are over three dozen varieties/species of lavender. My favorite, Lavandula angustifolia, is the most common species grown and used medicinally.
Lavender has a wide variety of uses, from relaxation to skin care. It's no wonder lavender is often considered a sacred plant! Here are some of the many benefits of lavender:
- Lavender is known for its calming and relaxing effects. The scent of lavender has been shown to reduce anxiety and promote restful sleep. Some animal and clinical studies reveal positive results in models of anxiety and depression.
- Lavender oil can be used to soothe minor skin irritations and burns.
- Lavender is a natural insect repellent.
- Lavender has antimicrobial properties, making it a great choice for household cleaning.
- The scent of lavender has been shown to boost mood and promote feelings of well-being.
Whether you're looking for a plant to add to your garden or want to dip your feet (or hands) into herbal medicine, lavender is a great choice! With its many benefits, it's no wonder lavender is often considered a sacred plant. From its calming scent to its wide range of symbolism, lavender is definitely worth getting to know better!
Lavender is a very symbolic flower. It represents creativity, spirituality, faithfulness, and peace of mind. The color violet is also connected to the crown chakra, which relates to our understanding of a higher purpose and greater connectivity to consciousness, connection, and spirituality.
Not only is lavender beautiful and fragrant, but this versatile plant also has a wide range of benefits. From relaxation to skin care, lavender is definitely a plant worth getting to know better! So why not add a little lavender to your life and see for yourself? You might just be surprised at how this humble plant can improve your well-being in so many ways.
Here are some more ideas for adding lovely lavender to your life:
· Add Lavender essential oil to your warm bath water. I usually add about 10 to 20 drops plus about a cup of Epsom salts while the tub is filling.
· Try adding lavender syrup to your next batch of lemonade, tea, steamer, or cocktail. You can easily do this by adding lavender flowers to a simple syrup (1 tablespoon dried flowers/1 cup water/1 cup organic sugar)- bring to a boil, turn down the heat and let simmer for about five minutes (until sugar is dissolved and liquid starts to reduce) then remove from heat and allow the mixture to steep. Then strain the syrup and store it in a glass mason jar. This should keep up for about a month in the refrigerator.
· Add lavender essential oil to your favorite body lotion (unscented).
· Make lavender bath salts - these are fun to give as a gift. Combine To make lavender bath salts, try this recipe below:
Combine 1 cup Epsom salt, 1 cup Epson salt or Dead Sea salt, and ½ cup baking soda in a bowl or jar. Mix well. Add about 1/2 cup of lavender flowers to the salt mixture and combine. Note: I like to grind my lavender flowers in a coffee grinder rather than putting them in whole, they are less likely to clog up the drain! I also may add additional essential oils of lavender and maybe rose!
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