The healing power of lavender

1. The devil doesn't like lavender because of the nice scent; that repels the devil, people of the Middle Ages reasoned. The word devil actually meant a sickening demon. Germs roaming around choose the hazel path when they smell the healing power of lavender. Lavender mainly cures mental illnesses such as stress, nervousness, insomnia, palpitations and headaches.

Contents:

1. Naming lavender Lavender in ancient times Lavender in the Middle Ages Lavender as an antibiotic against plague? Rembert Dodoens about lavender Lavender from the 17th century Lavender, love herb Lavender for external use: skin, mouth and throat Other effects external use Lavender for internal use: psychological complaints Lavender for external use: digestion Other medicinal effects internal use Consult the herbalist

Naming lavender

1. In Latin this plant is called Lavandula Vera. Lavendula butt from the Latin word lavendulus which means: 'what should be washed'. The ancient Romans and other ancient peoples such as the Carthaginians used lavender as soap and soaked it in baths for the nice scent combined with the healing power. Vera means: 'real'. In Dutch, this plant is referred to by a number of variations in name such as: ordinary lavender, garden lavender, Provencal lavender, wild mountain lavender and small-leaved lavender.

Lavender in ancient times

1. In ancient Egypt, lavender was used to make perfumes. Cleopatra would have seduced Julius Caesar with it. In Tutankhamun's tomb there were vases of lavender ointment. The Romans used to bathe lavender. They spread lavender all over Europe; it became a herb found in monastery gardens from Roman times. Dioscorides, pioneer of medicine and herbal science, used it for chest pain. Dioscorides was an army doctor and always had lavender with him because the soldiers disinfected their wounds with it.

Lavender in the Middle Ages

1. During the Middle Ages, lavender was a commonly used herb to keep the air in the house fresh and to repel insects. In folk medicine, lavender was used in the pillow because it helps against insomnia, nervous problems, headaches and weak digestion. These four medicinal properties are confirmed by contemporary scientific research.

Lavender as an antibiotic against plague?

1. Plague epidemics occurred from the 14th century to the 17th century. During a plague epidemic, people noticed that shoemakers did not get the plague. She treated the leather with lavender to give it a better scent. This was thought to keep the plague at bay and many people subsequently began to wear a lavender bracelet against the plague. Scientists today say that the plague can only be cured if you treat it with antibiotics. Lavender belongs to the vegetable antibiotics; therefore it may very well have helped against the plague! This has of course never been investigated. The plague outbreaks that sometimes take place now, usually in tropical countries, are treated with chemical antibiotics as a precaution.

Rembert Dodoens about lavender

1. Rembert Dodoens, the pioneering 16th century herbal scientist working at the University of Leuven, in what is now called Belgium, wrote that lavender was a good medicine for lice, stomach pain, jaundice and tremors . Plus, he said lavender was a diuretic. These medicinal effects have all been recognized by modern scientific research.

Lavender from the 17th century

1. In Spain and Portugal, churches were scented with lavender to keep out evil spirits. Fortunate ladies put lavender in the wash water and washed with it. The British Queens Queen Elisabeth I of the 16th century and Queen Victoria of the 19th century took in lavender. William Turner, contemporary of Elisbeth I, recommended it as a brain tonic. In the 19th century, England became an important country in the production of the originally Mediterranean herb. It was widely used in England for: nervousness, migraine, melancholy, stroke and epilepsy. Only the last two of this list are not included in the phytotherapeutic list of diseases against which lavender helps. Incidentally, it does help against fainting, which is related to epilepsy. Lavender was sewn into the lining of caps with the aim of keeping a clearer mind.

Lavender, love herb

1. Lavender was traditionally called a love herb. When you drink lavender tea, you will dream about your future love. Lavender in the pillow brings the romantic feeling to life. Lavender under the mattress guarantees a passionate night. You can bake love cookies by topping a basic cookie recipe with finely chopped dried lavender tops.

Lavender for external use: skin, mouth and throat

1. Lavender is most commonly used to treat skin problems. Lavender is a disinfectant. It works against pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. The essential oils linalol, borneol and cineol are the main active ingredients in this. They ensure that lavender wards off inflammation. The tannins have an astringent effect, which ensures that wounds heal faster. In addition, it is an analgesic. For these medicinal reasons, lavender is used in modern science-based phytotherapy for the following external indications:

Other effects external use

1. Skin diseases are the primary use applications for external use. There are also a number of activities that it would be a shame not to mention. Here are some indications plus the reason why lavender is good against:

Lavender for internal use: psychological complaints

1. When it comes to natural herbs, it is nice to see that each herb has its own function for humans. Herbs seem to be made for humans. Lavender makes you nice and calm, perhaps that is why it originally grew in busy Mediterranean cultures where one could use some rest. Lavender is a sedative, a calming, relaxing and harmonizing agent. It is mildly narcotic, diminishes excessive sympathetic and vagus nerve activity due to the essential oils linalol and linalyl acetate. The orthosympathetic system is that part of the nervous system that regulates the organs and the vagus nerve receives information from the organs regarding their state of being. Lavender for internal use is mainly used against the following indications related to psychological stress:

Vegetative dystonia or physical complaints due to psychological stress: The following diseases are caused by stress.

1. Palpitations, tightness, Digestive complaints, high blood pressure, Tension headache, emotional headache, migraine.

Lavender for external use: digestion

1. Besides the positive effect on the nervous system and psychological complaints, lavender has some physical effects, most of which have something to do with the digestion. It works as a carminative and antispasmodic on the gastrointestinal tract, stimulates appetite, aids digestion, stimulates bile formation, and prevents diarrhea. Because of these medicinal effects, lavender is used in phytotherapy as a medicinal product for:

Other medicinal effects for internal use

1. Because it has an antiseptic effect on the airways, dissolves mucus and expels sweat, it is a natural remedy for bronchitis, Because of its effect as an emmenagogue it can be used against menstrual pain and missed periods, Its diuretic action makes lavender a remedy for oliguria or too little urine production.

Consult the herbalist

1. If you want to use lavender as a medicinal product, it is recommended to take a consultation with a herbalist. Lavender extracts and medicines in the form of mother tinctures, powders, nebulisate, liquid extract and capsules should only be taken on prescription by authorized persons. A doctor or herbalist can inform you about this, as well as about any side effects and interactions with other medicines or herbs. All medicinal effects of this medicinal herb mentioned in this article are based on scientific research and come from Geert Verhelst's Large Handbook of Medicinal Plants, a standard work in the field of healing plants. The book is used in phytotherapy.