Most people only know lavender as a component of perfumes and as a filling material for fragrant sachets. In fact, the lavandin cultivated extensively in Provence - a very productive lavender variety - is largely used for perfumes. However, you can also process the intensely fragrant herb with the high proportion of essential oils in many other areas.

Lavender in the home and garden

The ancient Egyptians used lavender for body care a few thousand years ago, a tradition that was carried on by the Romans. This original use of the plant is also reflected in its name, as the term "lavender" is derived from the Latin word for "wash", "lavare". Even today, the scent of lavender can still be found in many cleaning and body care products, although it is now often produced synthetically. The deterrent effect of lavender on annoying insects such as clothes moths and mosquitoes is also well known. For this reason, housewives used to pack scented sachets or lavender sticks in the linen closet. Lavender oil, on the other hand, is said not only to repel mosquitoes, but also to drive away aphids when applied pure to the affected parts of the plant.

Lavender as a medicinal herb

Lavender has also been used as a medicinal herb for a very long time. As early as the first century AD, the Roman doctor Dioscurides described the diverse uses of the plant. For example, the antiseptic effect of lavender was also known to the Roman soldiers, because they rubbed themselves with lavender oil before a battle. This should prevent inflammation in the event of an injury. Today, the calming effect of lavender on the psyche and on the gastrointestinal tract is well known. Accordingly, a use takes place u. with sleeping problems or gastrointestinal complaints. Lavender can be used internally (e.g. as a tea), but also externally (e.g. as an ointment or tincture).

Recipe for a calming lavender tea

If you have trouble falling asleep, are often unsettled, or are just simply stressed, drinking a cup of lavender tea just before you fall asleep might help.

  • Take an ample handful of dried lavender flowers.
  • Pour boiling water over them.
  • Let the mixture steep for about 15 minutes and then strain it.
  • drink the tea in small sips.

Incidentally, you can also spray your plants with this decoction (cooled down naturally) and thus keep pests away in a natural way.

Use lavender in the kitchen

Lavender as a culinary herb, on the other hand, is not well known, as many people consider the leaves to be poisonous. However, this is wrong, because both the young leaves and the flowers are edible and give meat and fish dishes a wonderful aroma. In fact, there are numerous dishes with lavender in Provençal cuisine - even the famous "Herbs of Provence" contain it. Do not be surprised, however, because lavender is usually not included in the mixtures available in this country.

tips and tricks

You can put together your own traditional "Herbs of Provence" mixture from thyme, rosemary, marjoram, fennel (herb), oregano, savory, bay leaf, sage and lavender. You can store the well-dried and rubbed herbs in a dark, well-closable container for several months.

IJA

Category:

Herbs