Lavender: "Nature's Sleep Aid"

Considered the most popular of the aromatic herbs, the use of lavender has been recorded as far back as the ancient Egyptians. During this time, lavender was used in perfumes and in the burning of incense to help mask certain odors. The ancient Romans used lavender to deodorize their public bath facilities. Thus came the Latin word ‘lavare’ that means to wash. There are around forty different varieties of lavender, which has flower colors ranging from purple to pink to white. By far, the most popular flower color is purple.

Within the culinary world, lavender brings in a sense of excitement. The uses in the kitchen are long and varied. The flowers and leaves can both be seen in desserts like flavoring in homemade ice cream and as decoration on cakes. Lemonade and jellies are accentuated with the use of lavender. The natural oils released from the flowers in marinades give off a nice aroma. Lavender does great in breads. One idea is to take flat bread and brush with lavender oil (lavender sprigs soaked in regular salad/olive oil). Then place the flat bread on the grill. Remove the bread and brush again with more oil. Then season with salt and cracked black pepper and serve with smoked salmon. My personal favorite is Lavender Lemon Zest Biscuits.

Lavender has long been known for its calming effects on the human nervous system. Either through a soothing tea or by a bowl of potpourri by the bedside, lavender can help reduce migraines, tension headaches, and insomnia. The lavender scent does not actually make you fall asleep, but it calms your nerves to a point that you become relaxed, thus making it easier to drift off to sleep. A cup of lavender tea can also help reduce achiness of joints and muscles. To make this tea, use one tablespoon per half cup of warm water. Let this steep for about ten minutes and then remove leaves (some people use about 3-4 flower heads instead of one tablespoon of leaves). Lavender tea by itself can be very strong. A good idea would be to mix it with lemon balm and chamomile flowers. I talked to one person who told me that she placed a sachet of lavender under her pillow to help her fall asleep. To take a relaxing bath, use 5-6 drops of lavender oil in warm bath water. For help with tension headaches, massage a bit of lavender oil into your skin around your temple area. This will help induce relaxation. Word of caution: avoid high doses during pregnancy.

The most aromatic lavender is called Lavendula angustifolia. This variety has higher oil content than others. To grow lavender, be sure to plant in well-drained soil. One of the biggest reasons for plant failure is too much water. Lavender does not like wet feet. Once established, lavender can be drought tolerant. Another reason for plant failure is high humidity. This is especially true in the southern United States. Be prepared to replace your lavender plant every 2-3 years if you live in this area. This past summer (2003) we had above average rainfall in my area and this combined with the high humidity, caused me to loose about a dozen or so of my lavender plants. Although French lavender is commonly grown, Spanish lavender may be best suited for high humidity climates.

Full sun is preferred for best flower production. It is best to harvest the blooms right before they open. At this point, the oils in the plant are at its highest peak. The flower stalks can be used in wreaths and arrangements, as well as potpourris and sachets.

The best time to prune the entire plant is in the early spring. This will stimulate new growth for the year. Flower production will be at its greatest in the late spring-mid summer and then sporadically throughout the remainder of the year. To dry lavender, bundle up flower stems together and hang upside down in a dry area. After about two weeks, the bundle will be ready for its many uses.

I have noticed very few insect problems with lavender. However, if you do have any problems, I would suggest using an insecticidal soap or a natural insect repellant such as ‘Insects Go Away’ which can be found at I Must Garden. As with all sprays, wash plant thoroughly before using.