Lavender use in folk medicine. Lavender: beneficial properties, contraindications, benefits and harms

The healing properties of lavender were known to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Infusions and essential oils were recommended for women to drink to conceive and increase fertility after long wars. In distant medieval times, it was a herb “for all occasions”: it was used to treat contagious infections, diseases of the liver and spleen, wounds, ulcers, burns, venereal diseases, spasms, convulsions, heart pain, nervous disorders, migraines, gout, rheumatism. Of course, famous French perfumers could not do without lavender.

Features of the medicinal plant lavender

What benefits does lavender bring to our body? How to properly prepare raw materials? For what diseases is this herb prescribed? Are there any contraindications to taking it?

Area

Lavender angustifolia (also known as spicata, spica, true) is found wild in the mountainous western regions of the Mediterranean, as well as in the Caucasus. The plant is very popular, so it is naturalized, that is, grown outside its normal range. Often an ornamental plant “migrates” from gardens, plantations and runs wild. Lavender is grown as an essential oil plant in North Africa, North America, throughout Europe, Crimea, Moldova, Central Asian countries, Kuban, and along the Black Sea coast.

Botanical description

Lavender angustifolia. Botanical illustration from the book “Köhler’s Medizinal-Pflanzen”, 1887.

An evergreen subshrub up to 75 cm high. It is distinguished by numerous, branched stems. The plant is easily identified by its strong spicy odor. The lavender flower is a whorl that forms a discontinuous spikelet. Each whorl contains from 6 to 10 purple flowers. The subshrub blooms from June to August, depending on climatic conditions.

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The healing properties of lavender in folk medicine have been known since ancient times. Recommendations for collection and preparation are collected in Mediterranean and Caucasian herbal books, where the herb is found everywhere. How to harvest lavender correctly?

• What to prepare. The most valuable thing is lavender flowers. But they can also be used together with young stems and leaves.
• When and how to collect. Collection should begin as soon as the inflorescences bloom. Use a knife or scissors to cut off the apical part of the plant. Collection can continue all summer, after flowering begins.
• How to dry. It needs to be dried in the shade under natural conditions. The inflorescences are hung or laid out. After complete drying, the flowers are selected and packaged in tightly closed containers. Dry grass has a pronounced spicy, pleasant aroma.

Raw materials must be protected from dampness. It is better not to store it in linen bags, since the essential oil quickly evaporates. Storage is acceptable for no more than 2 years.

Healing effect

Medicinal properties of lavender:

• bactericidal;
• sedative;
• diuretic;
• choleretic;
• stimulating blood circulation;
• soothing;
• antispasmodic;
• carminative;
• painkiller;
• regenerating;
• antirheumatic;
• anthelmintic;
• antiseptic.

Chemical composition:

• essential oil (60% linolyl acetate);
• organic acids (acetic, caproic, valeric, ursolic, butyric);
• terpene alcohols (borneol, geraniol, cineole);
• tannins;
• coumarins;
• phytosterols;
• tannins;
• flavonoids;
• bitterness and resin.

Indications for use

• Nervous system . The herb relaxes, calms the nervous system, helps with neuroses, melancholy, migraines, normalizes emotional background and sleep, and improves mood. This is a mild sleeping pill that does not cause side effects in moderate dosage. Today, the herb is often prescribed for vegetative dystonia, loss of strength, loss of appetite, heart pain, and neuralgia.
• urinary system. Lavender has a mild diuretic effect and eliminates swelling well. It is used in complex therapy of kidney and bladder diseases.
• Digestive system. Helps with functional disorders of the digestive system caused by nervous excitement. Relieves spasms and colic of the stomach and intestines, helps with bloating, and has a mild choleretic effect.
• Respiratory system and ENT organs. The herb has bactericidal and antiviral properties. Therefore, lavender essential oil is added to mixtures for the prevention of ARVI and influenza. It is also included in the complex treatment of rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
• Musculoskeletal system. The plant is used in the treatment of rheumatism, gout and other joint diseases.
• Vessels and blood circulation. The herb is used to treat cardiovascular diseases and paralysis after a stroke. Lavender stimulates blood circulation, especially in the blood vessels of the brain.
• For women . The herb is prescribed during the premenopausal period: it relieves irritability, nervousness, anxiety, and helps with insomnia. It is also used in the treatment of vaginal inflammation and leucorrhoea. For this, douching and baths are prescribed. The issue of taking the herb orally during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding, remains controversial. It needs to be decided individually with your doctor. The use of lavender in the first trimester is especially dangerous, as it can lead to contraction of the uterine muscles and miscarriage.
• For children . Use is permitted only after consultation with a doctor! You need to be especially careful when using essential oils. An allergic reaction is possible. Most often prescribed in the form of aromatherapy sessions and therapeutic baths for sleep and digestion disorders, nervous excitement, for the prevention of viral infections, inhalations for respiratory diseases.
• External use. Used as an antiseptic and analgesic. Healing baths with lavender are popular. They are taken for joint pain, skin problems, bruises and dislocations, neuralgia. Also used as a rub for joint diseases. The herb is also used in dentistry to relieve toothache.

The main contraindications of lavender are individual intolerance and allergies to grass. The plant can also provoke inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa and uterine bleeding after termination of pregnancy. Concomitant use with iodine and iron is not recommended. Lavender enhances the effect of sedatives, sedatives, and antispasmodics and can cause harm to the body. This must be taken into account to avoid overdose and side effects.

Using lavender at home

What are the uses of lavender at home? There are recipes for making tea, decoctions, infusions, alcohol tinctures, and lavender oil. Essential oil can be purchased at herbal pharmacies.

Essential oil

Lavender essential oil is obtained through steam distillation. It is a yellow-green liquid, bitter in taste, with a pleasant lavender aroma. The main production is concentrated in Italy, Bulgaria, Moldova, France and Russia. The healing properties of lavender oil are the same as those of the plant’s flowers, but are even more pronounced. First of all, the oil is valued by the terpene alcohol linalool, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems and is valued in cosmetology.

Security measures:

• essential oil is not taken orally in its pure form, but is most often diluted in an alcohol solution;
• Before external use, it is recommended to carry out a test application on a small area of ​​skin;
• you need to choose a certified product made with high-quality oil;
• due to the toxic properties of the drug, the dosage and course of treatment should not be violated;
• exceeding the dose can lead to side effects from the nervous system (dizziness, confusion, drowsiness) and digestion (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea);
• The oil should be used with great caution by allergy sufferers, both internally and externally.

What are the uses of lavender essential oil?

• Added to medicinal baths for neuroses to normalize sleep.
• Widely used in aromatherapy.
• Added to ointments for external use for burns, bruises, dislocations, wounds, scratches.
• Add to rubs and warm compresses for inflammation of joints, tissues, and nerves.
• Lavender oil is especially beneficial for hair.
• Taken orally in a strict dosage for nervous excitability, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, urination, joints, heart and blood vessels, inflammation of the respiratory system.
• Lavender oil is often combined with rosemary or marjoram, it enhances their effect.

Homemade oil

Lavender oil is an oil extract of dry or fresh herbs. It is better to use olive oil as a base.

Preparation

1. Take 1 part of crushed raw materials.
2. Pour in 5 parts oil.
3. Leave in a dark place for at least 1 month.
4. Strain.

Used externally for all of the above diseases. Use internally in diluted form. This is a good pain reliever. It is recommended to mix it with alcohol and use it as a rub for joint and muscle pain. Homemade lavender oil can also be used on hair.

Tea and infusion

Lavender tea is famous for its calming properties. It is recommended to take it for the prevention of neuroses, depression, and constant stress. It is good to take this drink warm and at night. It is recommended to drink in small sips and slowly.

Making tea

1. Take 2 tsp. dry raw materials.
2. Pour a glass of boiling water.
3. Cover and leave for 10 minutes.
4. Strain.

Lavender tea can be sweetened with honey, this helps with colds and helps to quickly relax the nervous system. But for digestive problems, it is recommended to drink unsweetened lavender tea. A glass of tea can be drunk throughout the day, divided into 3 doses.

Preparing the infusion

1. Take 3 tsp. dry raw materials.
2. Pour 2 cups boiling water.
3. Leave for 30 minutes.
4. Strain.

You can drink ¼ glass 4 times a day. It helps well with headaches, migraines, neuroses, spasms, stomach and intestinal colic, indigestion, and insomnia. It is also an effective choleretic and diuretic. This infusion can be added to baths, made into lotions, and treated with it on the skin.

Alcohol tincture

Alcohol tincture of lavender is less popular than essential oil. However, it also has its advantages. It is recommended to dilute the oil in an alcohol solution, which reduces toxicity and enhances the soothing effect of the herb.

Preparation

1. Take 1 part of the herb.
2. Pour 5 parts of 40% alcohol.
3. Leave for 1 week.
4. Strain.

The dosage and course of treatment are prescribed by the doctor. There is a recipe for lavender tincture in 70% alcohol, it is called a “female antidepressant.” Healers recommend it for hormonal disorders in women, PMS, hot flashes during the premenopausal period, nervousness and irritability, and mood swings. For these symptoms, it is recommended to combine lavender with motherwort and valerian.

Application in cosmetology

Lavender in cosmetology is one of the most popular herbal remedies. It is often used to flavor cosmetics and perfumes. The herb extract is added to soaps, shampoos, creams, tonics, lotions, masks, gels, perfumes, eau de toilette, and deodorants. Lavender essential oil can be used on its own to enrich shampoo, cream, toner or face mask.

• For hair . The herb is best suited for oily hair. Rinse your hair with lavender decoctions after washing. Essential oil is recommended for hair loss. It is most often used with other oils - castor and burdock. Add to strengthening hair masks based on nettle and burdock root.
• For skin. The herb has antiseptic and regenerating properties. Helps get rid of acne and pimples, promotes wound healing without scarring, and eliminates spots on the skin. In its pure form, lavender oil can only be used for local treatment of acne. You can't wipe your face with it! It is recommended to mix lavender with tea tree, jojoba, coconut, and flaxseed oil. Useful for oily, problem skin.

Use in cooking

Due to its specific spicy smell, the herb is often used in the alcoholic beverage industry. It is also popular in cooking. It is valued and loved by Italians, Spaniards, and French. Dry grass is used as a seasoning for preparing soups and salads, sauces, and fish dishes. Also used when smoking meat and fish. Often combined with sage, dill and savory. Lavender oil can also be used as a spice, but in small quantities.

Insecticide

Lavender is an effective insecticide against moths, bedbugs, carpet beetles, and fleas. The pungent smell of grass repels insects. How is it used?

• You can use dried lavender, place it in cabinets, or place sprigs on the floor.
• You can also drip essential oil onto a piece of cloth or into a bowl.
• Lavender evaporates quickly, so it needs to be replaced frequently.
• It is recommended to make a lavender sachet - a pad with filling; it can also be used to scent linen and clothes in the closet.
• Disinfecting a room can also be beneficial for the nervous system.
• However, you need to remember safety precautions: excess vapors of lavender essential oil can cause side effects such as lethargy and drowsiness.

How else is the herb used?

• Lavender is a natural repellent. Helps protect against mosquitoes and midges outdoors and indoors. It is combined with other essential oils - tea tree, cedar, cloves, peppermint. They are mixed in the following proportion: 5 drops of lavender oil and 5 drops of another product. The prepared repellent can be used on children.
• In complex treatment of pediculosis. The most effective against lice are lavender, bergamot, geranium, and eucalyptus oils. It is better to use a mixture of these oils. They are diluted in basic vegetable oil, then rubbed into the scalp and hair, left for several hours under cellophane.

The main beneficial properties of lavender are sedative, analgesic and bactericidal. The herb is used for diseases of the nervous, digestive, urinary, and cardiovascular systems. Lavender helps relieve pain from neuralgia, rheumatism, gout, sprains and bruises. Essential oil is often used in aromatherapy, dermatology and cosmetology.

Subsequently, the plant began to be cultivated in Europe, using it as an incense; it was believed that its aroma repels evil spirits. The first perfumes, which appeared in the 14th century, contained essential oils from lavender flowers; their composition was considered magical - the perfume was credited with the properties of preserving feminine attractiveness and prolonging the youth of its owner. Today, when few people believe in magic, lavender remains in demand for its fragrant and.

In Russia, lavender was discovered only after the Patriotic War of 1812. At first it was grown only in greenhouses and botanical gardens. Today it grows in Ukraine and the Krasnodar region.

How is lavender oil obtained?

The resulting oil is almost colorless, viscous, but at the same time light, it mixes perfectly with other essential oils and allows you to create beautiful harmonious perfume compositions with oils of fennel, pine, clove, cinnamon, ginger, sandalwood, patchouli, myrrh, myrtle, tea wood, rosemary. In various combinations with these oils, it is used in aromatherapy and perfumery.

The quality of the oil, which also affects its aromatic properties, depends not only on the quality of the raw material, but also on the place where it grows, as well as how far the production is located from it, because the raw material must be fresh. The highest quality and most expensive oil is made in France, where factories are located next to the plantations where lavender is sown and grows. English oil, which has a specific aroma that can only be distinguished by specialists, is less valuable. Lavender essential oil from the fields of Australia and Crimea is in the average price range.

Properties of lavender

The scent of lavender itself is therapeutic, but its leaves and flowers have other medicinal properties as well. In folklore they are also used in the form of infusions and decoctions. These decoctions are a good diuretic and sedative, recommended for people with a nervous and irritable personality type. A cup of decoction from the flowers and twigs of this plant, drunk before bed, will be an excellent antidepressant, relieve stress, and help restore sleep. A drop of lavender essential oil applied to the pillow will calm the nerves, eliminate irritability and drive away insomnia.

Lavender oil can be applied to fabric without fear of leaving traces. After drying and evaporating, no traces of oil remain.

Baths with a strong infusion of lavender help with heart disease. They are recommended for those who are undergoing rehabilitation after suffering a stroke, as well as for those suffering from tachycardia, rapid heartbeat, and rheumatism. Doctors recommend rubbing the chest in the area of ​​the heart with essential oil - this helps normalize the heartbeat, and rubbing it on the temples can help get rid of dizziness. Lavender preparations are a good antiseptic; they can be used to disinfect wounds, treat dermatitis and other skin diseases. Even such a serious disease as fungus can be cured with lavender oil. But it should be borne in mind that contraindications to the use of such drugs are individual intolerance and aversion to the smell of lavender; it is also not recommended for use in the first months of pregnancy and in the first weeks after an abortion.

The use of lavender in cooking and everyday life

Lavender is a plant with a light, refreshing aroma. This herb is used for a variety of purposes in everyday life, medicine and cosmetics. If you prefer natural remedies, lavender essential oil can help with bee stings, minor burns, nausea and motion sickness. Fragrant dried lavender can be added to baked goods, used in showers and baths, and used to refresh bedding, clothing, or carpets. Lavender decoction helps remove lice and cope with insomnia.

Steps

For medicinal purposes

Treat minor injuries. Lavender essential oil can be used to treat bee and other insect stings, minor burns and cuts. If you are stung by a bee or other insect, simply apply a little oil to the sting to relieve the itching and reduce swelling. For a minor burn or cut, apply a few drops of oil to the damaged area - this will help clean the wound and kill bacteria. In addition, when applied topically, lavender oil relieves pain.

Stop nosebleeds. Apply a drop of lavender oil to a piece of cloth and wrap a small piece of ice or crushed ice in it. Place cloth-covered ice between your upper lip and gum. Keep it there until the bleeding stops.

Use lavender to relieve nausea and motion sickness. Apply a drop of lavender oil to the back of your tongue and behind each ear. Smear another drop around the navel.

Lavender oil helps with eczema and dermatitis. Mix a few drops of oil with approximately the same amount of nut or vegetable oil that suits you and apply a little of the mixture to damaged areas of the skin.

Lavender helps improve sleep. To relax and fall asleep faster, place a few bags of dried lavender in your pillowcase or near your pillow.

• You can make your own dried lavender bags by taking a few muslin bags (store-bought or homemade) and putting 4-6 tablespoons of dried lavender in them.

1. Get rid of dandruff and lice. Prepare a strong lavender infusion (steep a bag or dried lavender for at least 20 minutes). Wait until the broth has cooled, rub it on your scalp and rinse with water. Lavender infusion can also be used after you have applied a standard lice treatment to your hair.

   Use lavender to treat your digestive system. Lavender tea helps cope with problems such as colic, upset stomach and intestines, and flatulence. To begin with, use a weak decoction and gradually increase its strength to find the optimal concentration.

   Lavender helps cope with insomnia. Insomnia can be caused by a variety of reasons, including anxiety, depression and stress. About an hour before bed, drink 1-2 glasses (250-500 milliliters) of lavender tea. The pleasant soothing aroma of tea will help you cope with insomnia and fall asleep faster.

   Lavender promotes heart health. Lavender tea helps prevent cardiovascular diseases in old age. It is rich in antioxidants and thanks to this helps normalize blood pressure and prevent stroke.

Lavender is not only a symbol of love, sung in the song of the same name, but also an excellent source of health. This evergreen shrub has been known for its healing abilities since the times of Ancient Rome, where its leaves were added to water to wash the body and hands.

It was believed that in this way the Romans were among the first to learn how to resist the development of bacterial infections. It is not surprising that lavender, whose medicinal properties have been used for so long, is now found in cultivated form in almost every garden.

The Mediterranean regions of France and Spain are considered the homeland of this elegant plant. Due to its ease of care (lavender easily tolerates drought and is practically not susceptible to common diseases of garden plants), it has spread everywhere, including the Canary Islands and Africa.

Spike-shaped, stately inflorescences of soft blue, purple and even pink shades stand out brightly against the background of stems that are grayish from the edges. The uniquely intoxicating aroma of lavender spreads throughout its growing area, and identifying it by its smell will probably not be difficult even for a novice herbalist.

This herb from the Yamnotaceae family is also good as an aromatic additive to fish and meat delicacies, sauces and salads. Since lavender is an essential oil crop, its extract has long been successfully used in cosmetology, cosmeceuticals, and aromatherapy.

Lavender decoction is used to wash hair to get rid of dandruff, wipe the face to eliminate acne and rashes, and add it to aromatic compositions and candles. However, the most popular area in which lavender is indispensable is its use in folk medicine, where it has proven to be an effective sedative, anticonvulsant and diuretic.

Who can benefit from lavender?

First of all, people who often suffer from headaches, in particular migraines, should pay attention to the plant. Even a couple of fresh leaves infused in freshly brewed tea are enough to calm down after a stressful situation, banish insomnia, and restore peace of mind. Fatigue and weakness also become rare guests if you use tinctures from lavender raw materials in a timely manner.

As you know, massages, both local and general, help to relax. And here lavender in the form of essential oil is also indispensable - in addition to the main effect, it helps eliminate symptoms of skin diseases, reduce post-burn and post-operative scars and improve skin condition.

In addition, lavender oil can stimulate the functions of the cardiovascular system and improve blood microcirculation. Therefore, when coming to a specialist, it is better not to be shy and ask him to use this particular ether for the procedure.

Effective participation in the complex treatment of joint pain, various injuries and bruises - this is what else is notable about lavender-based products. All parts of the medicinal herb are suitable for their preparation, and ointment prepared according to a special recipe is especially good for such cases. Its antiseptic and regenerating effect will come in handy to prevent the suppuration of fresh wounds or the resorption of seals.

Natural healing components of lavender officinalis

The main active ingredient that directly affects the beneficial properties of perennial products is linalool. Its content in leaves, stems and inflorescences reaches approximately 60% of the total amount of essential oil. This is what gives lavender calming effect on the nervous and cardiovascular system.

In addition, a compound called cineole was found in lavender. In isolated form, it has long been used in pharmaceuticals for the production of expectorants and antiseptics.

Lavender owes its strong aromatherapy effect to geraniol and borneol. Coumarins contained in flowers can inhibit the development of protozoa and insects, which is why lavender infusions are indicated for pediculosis and helminthic infestations.

Tannins, of which there are about 12% in inflorescences, in the form of infusions for gargling help with viral or bacterial diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Thanks to them, a protective membrane is formed on the mucous membrane, which stops further inflammation.

Resinous compounds, also included in lavender, have a mild laxative and diuretic effect. They also prevent the development of putrefactive processes and are able to enhance the therapeutic effect of the use of other medicinal substances. Thanks to this synergy, lavender officinalis is added to inhalations in the treatment of influenza conditions.

The use of lavender in traditional medicine recipes

Elven grass (as lavender was called in old Europe, since people explained the mysterious healing abilities of the plant by its magical origin) has long been used to treat various ailments of the human body. Therefore, from those times, quite a lot of recipes based on it have been preserved, conveying exact dosages and indications for use.

An elementary way to improve your health is to eat dry grass. Regularly adding a small amount of this unique spice to various dishes relieves nervous tension and helps with hypertension.

The famous bags of crushed lavender grass serve as a disinfectant for the home, clothes closet, and car interior. Small sachets, carefully placed under the pillow, will help you not only fall asleep quickly, but also get enough sleep in a much shorter period of time.

Teas from various collections with lavender are no less popular. One of the simplest recipes involves adding 4-5 flowers to green or black tea. After steeping for 10 minutes, the drink acquires not only a delicate bouquet, but also powerful healing properties.

A more complex selection of herbs may consist of 3–5 ingredients, becoming a full-fledged phytotherapeutic agent, the systematic use of which requires expert consultation.

So, to improve digestive processes, it is recommended to cook lavender herb infusion: 2 tsp. fresh or 1 tsp. Brew 250 ml of boiling water of dried flowers (it is better not to bring the water to a boil, heating it only to the “white key”, i.e. to 90C). You need to insist for 15 minutes and drink a glass before each meal for 10 days.

Here’s a collection to get rid of fatigue, both physical and mental: mix 25 g of mint, marjoram and lavender and put in a glass container. If necessary, 1 tbsp. l. Brew the dry mixture with a glass of boiling water and drink after brewing for 10 minutes. An excellent addition to such a drink would be 1-2 tsp. natural buckwheat or May honey.

Ways to use healing lavender oil

Lavender essential oil is one of the most universal remedies used to restore almost every organ. Therefore, the scope of its application is unusually wide. For example, it can be added to a bath (for 20 liters - 50 g of inflorescences, herbs or 25 ml of ether) in order to get rid of chronic fatigue syndrome, quickly recover from overtraining of the body, and improve blood circulation.

Cotton swabs with lavender oil eliminate inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media). If you have a cold, you can try to alleviate the pain Throat sensations with lavender honey, made from a teaspoon of regular honey and 2 drops of oil. This remedy should be taken twice a day or added to a warm drink.

Diluted in any basic oil extract (for example, olive) in a ratio of 1:10, lavender essential oil is worth trying in the treatment of sunburn, eczema, and superficial skin damage.

For the same purposes, it is advisable to stock up in advance lavender ointment, prepared in 2 stages. First, you need to fill a glass jar ¾ of the volume with dry grass and fill it with almond (or any other) oil so that it completely covers the raw materials. The mixture must be infused for a long time - at least 5 weeks in a warm place. This oil can be stored for a year.

The second stage of preparing the ointment: 200 ml of oil, 30 g of wax, 4 nebulas of vitamin E, 10 drops of lavender and rosemary essential oils. Heat the oil over low heat, add and dissolve the wax. Remove the pan with the mixture from the heat and add all the remaining ingredients. The ointment is ready for cosmetic and therapeutic procedures after complete hardening. It should be stored in a cool place for no more than a year.

Lavender contraindications

However, some people need to be careful with all lavender products - especially those with allergies, pregnant and lactating women. People with severe hormonal imbalances in the body and cancer patients should not self-medicate. It should also be taken into account that the substances contained in lavender interfere with the absorption of iodine and iron, so those who are deficient in these microelements and take their preparations should avoid any experiments with lavender.