Amazing Lavender
“Amazing” Lavender…
so many ways it can heal and soothe!
It’s time for some Lavender in your Life!
Hummingbird Creations offers a number of wonderful lavender products made with homegrown lavender blossoms and pure essential oils of lavender, such as:
- Lavender Herbal Soap
- Lavender Shampoo
- Lavender Moisturizing Lotion
- Lavender Flower Tea
- Lavender Aromatherapy Oil
- Lavender Spray
- Lavender Extract
Did you Know?? Lavender Is Effective Against Drug Resistant Staph Infection (MRSA) and so much more!
(The following information was compiled from an article in the January issue of GreenMedInfo.com)
Lavender has long been a favorite plant for use in essential oils and for its lovely scent in sachets. Those are useful and pleasant effects, but hidden inside this unassuming and easy-to-grow plant are abilities that modern medicine can’t provide. Among other benefits, lavender can counteract drug resistant staph infections (MRSA) and fungal infections.
And that’s not all! It’s one of nature’s great gifts, providing all of the following benefits:
- Treatment for Drug-resistant Infections
- Treatment for Fungal Infections
- Insomnia Treatment
- Nerve Tonic: Noted for easing migraines, nervous exhaustion, anxiety, and depression
- Respiratory Problems: asthma, bronchitis, sinus congestion, laryingitis, tonsilitis, and other respiratory system problems.
- Blood Circulation
- Improve Digestion: Can help with colic, vomiting, and flatulence.
- Immune System Enhancer
- Mosquito and Moth Repellence
- Alopecia Areata (An autoimmune disease that causes hair to fall out in patches)
- Nail Fungus
- Athlete’s Foot
- Skin Conditions
Drug Resistant Infections
MRSA, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, is becoming commonplace. It originated in hospitals as a result of overuse and misuse of antibiotics. A large number of studies have demonstrated lavender oil’s ability to treat both staph infections and MRSA. That means it could be used to treat staph infections that drugs can’t touch.
Though the range of bacteria that succomb to lavender oil is not known, many do. If you wish to try it, first be sure that you aren’t allergic to it by applying a bit of oil on normal skin. If you don’t have a bad reaction—and very few people do—then simply apply the oil to the infected area.
Fungal Infections:
Vaginal yeast infections can be treated with a douche made with a tea of lavender blossoms. Because of the low concentration, though, it may require several applications. Better yet, drink tea made from lavender flowers as soon as you realize there’s a likelihood of getting an infection, such as when taking antibiotics.
Nail fungal infections and athlete’s foot can readily be treated by applying lavender oil.
Heart Benefits:
Lavender oil used for its aroma, as in aromatherapy, has been documented to improve heart health. It reduces inflammation, which is associated with heart disease, by inhibiting cortisol. Blood flow, measured as coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR), is increased, thus providing better oxygenation, nutrition, and waste removal to cells.
These benefits were found by using 4 drops of essential aromatherapy lavender oil in 20 milliliters of hot water, and then inhaling for 30 minutes.
Improve Digestion, Flatulence, Nausea:
Lavender has long been used as a digestive aid. It improves the motility of intestinal tract, allowing food to pass through more readily. Gastric juice production, including bile, is increased, which improves digestion and nutrient absorption. Colic, vomiting, and flatulence have all been helped through the use of lavender. As a digestive aid, lavender oil can be taken as a tea.
Sleep:
Lavender has long been noted as a relaxant and aid for mild insomnia. Its use for this purpose is generally through aromatherapy application. Inhalation of lavender oil scent has been used successively in geriatric patients to replace sleeping pills. Patients slept just as long and their sleep was of a better quality. Their daytime wakefulness and alertness were significantly improved, and no adverse effects were reported.
Respiration:
As is easy to to imagine from lavender’s ability to aid sleep, it’s also able to relax breathing passages. In combination with two other essential oils, it may help ease asthma attacks. Here’s the recipe:
- Peppermint, Mentha x piperita, 8 drops
- Eucalyptus, Eucalymptus smithii, 20 drops
- Lavender, L. angustifolia, 28 drops
Mix these three essential oils together and use as aromatherapy.
Because of its ability to relax nerves, lavender has been used to calm coughs and ease breathing in colds and influenza. It’s used in inhalers and vaporizers, or simply dotted on the neck or chest.
Nerves and Anxiety:
As we’ve seen in lavender as sleep and respiration aids, it’s a natural nerve relaxant. It’s excellent used before and during tests to ease anxiety. It even improves cognitive function, which can result in better grades!
Lavender has been used to calm aggressive geriatric patients with dementia. A study of 15 severe dementia patients compared lavender oil aromatherapy with placebo. The majority of patients (60%) showed mild easing of their agitation, 33% showed no change, and 1 patient (7%) was aggravated by lavender.
When attempting to use lavender for its soothing and calming effects, it’s advisable to test first to see if the affected person might respond in a contradictory manner. Some studies have shown—and some people have reported—that lavender has an ironic opposite effect on nervousness, anxiety, and relaxation.
Hair Loss:
One of the most amazing effects of lavender oil is its ability to reverse hair loss in alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition in which hair follicles are attacked as if they were a foreign invader. Steroids can result in terrible and permanent adverse effects, including diabetes, thyroid damage, and many other diseases of the autoimmune and endocrine systems.
Treatment of alopecia areats with lavender oil is simple. Just rub it in on bald spots. Be patient, as it can take several weeks to show benefits. Also, be cautious at first to assure that there is no allergic response. Be aware that it doesn’t seem to work for everyone.
Immune System:
All of the effects of lavender add up to one single, and documented, benefit: strengthening the immune system. Used as a tea or a dilute solution in a lotion or oil for routine topical application may improve your overall health health and well being, which can help prevent illness.
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* The information included in this newsletter on the function and uses of herbs is based on historical use and personal experience. It has not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Farmer’s Markets & Fun Events, Spring 2013
NEW Indoor Winter Market at Crocker Park!!
Herb Fair at Lorain Co. Metro Parks – Vermilion River Reservation
Check for more events and updates >
Thank you for supporting your local farmers and businesses and I’ll see you at the outdoor markets this season! And bring a friend if you can. Your support encourages more local farmers and even better markets. Peace! – Judi