Botanical Name: Lavandula vera

Common Name:

English: Lavender Flower
Also, known as: Al birri, Alhucema, Arva neh, Aspic, Broad-leaved lavenda, Common lavender, Echter Lavendel, English lavender, Lofi nda, Ostoghodous, Postokhodous, Spigandos, True lavender Khouzamaa, Khouzami, Khuzama, Khuzama fassiya, Khuzama zerqua, Lavande veritable, Lavando, Lavandula vraie, Laventel, Lavendel, Kleiner Speik, Espi, Espic, Espliego commún, Fi rigla, Frigous, Garden lavendar, Grando, Hanan, Hanene, Hzama, Khazama, Khirii, Lavanda, Lavande, Lavande femelle, Lavender, and Lawanda.

Habitat: Northern Mediterranean region

Origin: Albania

Harvested: Cultivated

Parts Used: Flowers

General Information:

Lavandula vera, is a much-branched aromatic shrub, 2-6 feet high and 1-3 feet wide with attractive purplish-blue flower spikes. Branches grey-brown to dark brown with long flowering and short leafy shoots, bark longitudinally peeling. Leaves clustered on leafy shoots, evergreen, 1-6 cm long, and 3-5 mm wide on flowering shoots, widely spaced on flowering shoots; petiole very short; blade linear-lanceolate to linear. The flowers are pinkish-purple, produced on spikes 2-10 cm long at the top of slender, with 6–10 flowers, upper ones densely crowded; peduncle about three times longer than the spike.

True lavender is indigenous to the western Mediterranean region and used by people for at least 3000 years. Various species have been used since ancient times for their aromatic and medicinal properties. A wild shrub growing on a sunny hillside in the rocky soil of southern France will smell different from the flowers in your garden. The conditions in which lavender grows and the type of plant all contribute to a unique fragrance. Lavender essential oil, when diluted with a carrier oil, is commonly used as a relaxant with massage therapy. While we know that eating or drinking things can influence our health and how we feel, lavender shows us how the simple act of smelling something can dramatically alter our mood by reducing anxiety and pain and promoting sleep. Lavender has long been loved for its pleasing and relaxing scent and it was commonly used in bathing and laundry, it’s popularity spreads through northern Europe. Lavender is sometimes combined with cheeses made from sheep or goat’s milk. Flowers are used in confectionery, often as a garnish on cakes, and go particularly well with chocolate.

Lavender essential oil is very powerful, and one should be cautious when using it externally and internally.

How to use:

Hot Infusion:

The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. Hot water is needed to draw out the antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, flavonoids, and volatile oils from the botanicals. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:

You can sweeten your herbal tea with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.
You can make ice cubes or pops by freezing tea in ice trays or pop molds.

Precautions:

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

All information on this website is for educational purposes ONLY.

This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Lavender Flowers Whole