Even in the times of ancient Rome, it became known about the healing properties of lavender. She was added to the baths and to the water for washing hands, as she is counted antibacterial properties. Also, thanks to the spicy taste, it was used and used today in cooking and for making beverages.
From ancient times to the present day, lavender, due to the fact that it has good healing properties, is widely used in traditional medicine.
The chemical composition of lavender and its effects on the body
Lavender flowers contain essential oil - 3%. Also 12% of tannins, bitter substances, derivatives of gums and coumarin, flavonoids, phytosterols, cineol, geranoyl, borneol are distinguished in their chemical composition. The most valuable element found in lavender essential oil is linalyl acetate. Its percentage is 50%.
Exactly linalyl acetate It has a sedative effect on the body, on the cardiovascular and nervous system. And lavender tsineol in the selected form is used in the pharmaceutical industry. It is used for cooking antiseptic and expectorant drugs.
Thanks to geranoil and borneol, lavender has a strong aromatherapy effect. And tannins contained in this plant, used for viral and bacterial diseases of the upper respiratory tract in the form of infusions for gargling. They contribute to the formation of a protective membrane on the mucous membrane, which prevents further inflammation.
Resinous compounds that are part of the chemical composition of lavender, have a mild diuretic and laxative effect. Also, resinous compounds do not allow the development of putrefactive processes and enhance the therapeutic effect of other drugs.
Lavender is often added to inhalations for the treatment of influenza. In case of helminthic invasions and pediculosis, coumarins contained in the flowers of the plant have a healing effect. Coumarins inhibit the development of simple organisms and insects.
Did you know? Lavender oil can cause allergies, not only when taken orally or externally. If you store it in a closet with bedding or clothes, its essential oils easily evaporate and remain on things, as a result of which an allergic reaction may occur.
When used lavender, traditional medicine
Lavender Mountain has found its use in the treatment of many painful conditions. Traditional medicine recommends lavender for the following diseases:
- mild sleep disorders;
- nervous tension;
- intestinal spasms of nervous origin;
- to improve appetite;
- treatment of neuralgia;
- skin diseases and purulent wounds;
- aromatherapy to improve performance, relieve fatigue, improve the condition of the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
- used as a sedative and antispasmodic for migraine and neurasthenia;
- bile diluent;
- diuretic.
Did you know? Lavender is often a part of herbal sleeping and sedative charges. This is one of the indispensable plants in the treatment of vegetative disorders.
Lavender oil
Lavender oil traditional medicine prescribes to apply to soothe irritated skin, for use on damaged skin, for sleep disorders. It can also be used for a pleasant massage, which, thanks to this essential oil, will improve the blood microcirculation.
Lavender essential oil can be added to baths, a couple of drops can be dripped onto a pillow, which will help to relax and should promote good sleep. It contributes to the healing of wounds and the smoothing of scars.
Lavender Tea
Lavender tea is used to combat the following problems:
- headache - due to natural antispasmodic substances contained in tea with lavender, relaxation of blood vessels and small muscles in the head and neck, around the eyes (by the way, helps to get rid of the twitching of the eyelid);
- from stress - soothes with increased nervous excitability, prevents anxiety and depression;
- from muscle spasms - used in the treatment of menstrual cramps;
- from insomnia - scientists from different countries are confident that lavender tea is able to relax, improve the quality of sleep and relieve insomnia;
- from nausea - tea with lavender will help get rid of nausea associated with severe headache. Tea with this plant helps to reduce inflammation of the vagus nerve, which provokes nausea, vomiting and migraine;
- from digestive disorders - the drink has a carminative properties, and therefore helps to get rid of discomfort in the intestines and stomach associated with the accumulation of gases. Also, some scientists believe that lavender substances prevent the occurrence of stomach ulcers.
Make Lavender Tea can, Mix 1-2 tablespoons of dried flowers with 250-300 ml of boiling water. Brewing need 10-15 minutes.
Important! Herbal teas from any plant can cause side effects. If a rash, headache, vomiting, chills, and colic appear after taking lavender tea, stop using tea and consult a doctor.
Tincture of flowers
Lavender in the form of tincture of flowers has medicinal properties that help to cope with the shortcomings of problem skin and help with burns.
Tincture of lavender flowers is used to improve the appetite, and in combination with some other herbs is a good way to relieve stress.
To prepare the tincture of flowers taken 3 teaspoons of milled plants, which is poured 400 ml of boiling water. The resulting infusion is necessary to insist in an enamel pot under the lid closed for 20 minutes. After that, it must be filtered and drink it throughout the day in equal shares. This infusion will be useful for the treatment of long-healing ulcers and wounds.
As an antidepressant is used tincture of fresh lavender flowers, prepared in proportion to one part of flowers and 5 parts of alcohol 70%. This tincture of flowers take 1-2 times a day for 40-50 drops. It prevents mood swings, affects hormones. Recommend to women with premenstrual syndrome, with menopause to combat hot flashes, nervousness and insomnia.
Lavender baths
Lavender baths have indications and contraindications. Lavender baths are contraindicated in cases when individual intolerance of plant components is observed.
note that lavender affects pressure in humans. It normalizes (lowers) it, but sharp changes in pressure may occur during bathing. Total A couple of drops of lavender oil added to the bath can dramatically lower the pressure. Therefore, bath with lavender oil is better to take as directed by a doctor and under supervision.
As for the beneficial effects of lavender baths, it is difficult to overestimate it. Such baths will relieve disturbances in the circulatory system, relieve fatigue, relieve muscle tension, lower back pain (which is muscular in nature).
For the preparation of lavender bath 50 g of dry grass or lavender flowers are taken for 20 liters of water. Or you can dilute the lavender oil in water - 25 ml of oil per 100 liters of water. Essential oil of lavender is diluted with an emulsifier - sea salt, sour cream, base oil. For 30 ml of the base, 4-7 drops of oil are taken for an adult; for a child, no more than 2 drops of lavender essential oil.
Harvesting and processing of medical raw materials
Medicinal lavender flowers are widely used in traditional medicine. In order to use the nutrients of this plant all year round, it is necessary to make a preparation of medical raw materials during the flowering season and process it for storage.
Lavender blooms in July and August. During this period it is necessary to make the preparation of inflorescences. For harvesting cut inflorescences with twigs. After that, they make beams that bind and hang to dry. After the drying stage, the flowers are manually separated, which will be processed.
The process of harvesting lavender is quite laborious. First, it is manual labor that requires human attention. When drying lavender need to maintain a certain temperature.
The room where it occurs should be hidden from the sun’s rays and well ventilated. It is important to preserve the essential oil in the plant. Essential oil is separated by distillation of plants with water vapor in a special structure.
After drying lavender, it can be stretched and folded in an airtight container. Dried lavender should be stored in a place protected from moisture and, if necessary, used for the preparation of medicines.
Preparation of therapeutic syrup from lavender
You can make syrup from medicinal lavender. For this you will need:
- 1 glass of water;
- 1 cup of sugar;
- 3 tablespoons of lavender flowers, separated from the stem.
After this infusion filter, the resulting broth is poured a new batch of dry lavender, and the procedure is repeated. Next, the resulting broth is mixed with 250 g of honey or sugar, this mixture is put on the fire, and must be boiled to obtain a thick syrup.
Lavender syrup prepared according to this recipe, is used to treat neurasthenia, tachycardia, headaches, colds. For therapeutic purposes, you need to take half an hour before meals 3 times a day. Dosage - 1 teaspoon, which is washed down with water.
How to make lavender oil at home
Much has been said about the beneficial properties of lavender, and in order to fully apply them, it is necessary to use it in a suitable form for every occasion. Many references to treatment with oil. The recipe for making homemade lavender oil is as follows:
- Place 2 tablespoons of the dry, crushed lavender flowers in a dry jar. Lavender must first disassemble or stretch, open buds open;
- in the jar you need to add unscented oil - olive, almond, flaxseed. It is important that the oil be odorless so as not to interrupt the fragrance of lavender;
- jar of lavender and oil must be tightly closed and put in the sun insist. This stage can last from 48 hours to 3-6 weeks, depending on the intensity of the received sunlight and the amount of time you have. As an alternative, you can use a water bath in which you can heat the mixture in a jar for 2-5 hours at a temperature of 38-49 ° C (it is very important to stick to this temperature!);
- after infusing the oil, the contents of the jar can be drained through gauze into clean dishes. Remains of flowers can be used for compost;
- to obtain a more saturated lavender oil, the whole process can be repeated with the resulting filtered product;
- Store lavender oil, cooked at home, in a dark glass jar in a place protected from the sun. The shelf life depends on the freshness of the taken oil for cooking and can be several months.
Instructions for the preparation of lavender ointment
To make a lavender ointment, you need an ingredient like lavender oil. It can be prepared according to the prescription described above, or purchased at a pharmacy. The second required ingredient is beeswax. The proportion in which the components are taken is 1 part of wax to 8 parts of oil. The more wax, the thicker will get a lavender ointment.
Instructions for the preparation of lavender ointment:
- beeswax must be grind grated;
- place the waxed wax in a saucepan, add lavender oil and heat until the ingredients are mixed. This stage lasts from 15 minutes and more. The contents need to be stirred with a heat-resistant device that will not be a pity to be thrown away if it is not possible to wash the wax off of it;
- The mixture should be poured into clean glass jars or tin containers. Capacities tightly close the lids;
- containers with the mixture must be removed in the refrigerator. After 10-30 minutes in a cool ointment should harden. If the consistency is too thin - it is necessary to melt the ointment again and add more beeswax. If the consistency is too hard, melt and add butter.
Contraindications use of lavender
Like most plants and substances, the use of lavender is limited in the presence of contraindications. Lavender can have both benefits and harm to the human body. With the help of this plant you can cure various diseases, but, in some cases, it can provoke serious disorders.
First of all, when hormonal changes of the body are not worth the risk, using lavender oil. For women in the first months of pregnancy can not apply any essential oils, including lavender. This is due to the fact that it provokes a contraction of the muscles of the uterus, which can cause bleeding.
Important! For the same reason, in the postoperative periods, after any surgical interventions, do not use lavender oil.
The following contraindications to the use of lavender relate to taking drugs with iodine and iron. Lavender is incompatible with these substances, therefore simultaneous consumption should not be allowed.
Any means and substances made on the basis of lavender, have a strong effect. In this regard, they can cause allergies. In this case, it is urgent to stop taking / using lavender medication.
In large doses, lavender oil can cause irritation of the stomach and intestines, cause impaired consciousness and depression.
Self-treatment is always a dangerous event, and if it is done with lavender, serious complications can occur. It is important to understand and remember that before using preparations based on lavender oil, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
