GreenWitch Gardens Apothecary

Lavender, bulk dried herb

Lavender, bulk dried herb

Regular price $0.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $0.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Botanical Name

  • Lavandula angustifolia (formerly Lavandula officinalis)

Common Names

  • Lavender
  • English Lavender
  • True Lavender
  • Garden Lavender

Flavor

  • Pungent, bitter

Herbal Energetics

  • Warming, Drying

Herbal Actions

  • Nervine: Calms the nervous system, reducing anxiety, tension, and stress while promoting relaxation.
  • Antispasmodic: Relieves muscle spasms and cramps, particularly in the digestive and respiratory systems.
  • Carminative: Eases digestion, reduces gas, bloating, and discomfort in the digestive tract.
  • Antidepressant: Helps to uplift the mood, reduce symptoms of depression, and promote a sense of well-being.
  • Sedative: Induces relaxation and supports restful sleep, making it useful for insomnia and sleep disturbances.
  • Analgesic: Provides mild pain relief, particularly for headaches, muscle aches, and joint pain.
  • Antimicrobial: Exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
  • Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds, burns, and skin conditions, reducing inflammation and preventing infection.
  • Antiseptic: Cleanses wounds and prevents infection, particularly in cuts, scrapes, and minor burns.

Organ Affinities

  • Nervous System: Lavender is particularly beneficial for the nervous system, calming anxiety, promoting relaxation, and improving sleep.
  • Digestive System: Supports digestion by relieving gas, bloating, and indigestion while calming the digestive tract.
  • Skin: Supports skin health by promoting wound healing, reducing inflammation, and treating burns and other skin conditions.
  • Respiratory System: Assists in soothing respiratory irritation and easing coughs and colds.

Uses

  • Anxiety and Stress: Lavender is widely used to reduce anxiety, tension, and stress, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.
  • Sleep Support: Commonly used to treat insomnia and improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation and reducing restlessness.
  • Digestive Health: Helps to ease indigestion, gas, and bloating while calming the digestive system.
  • Headaches and Migraines: Provides relief from headaches and migraines, particularly those related to stress or tension.
  • Skin Healing: Applied topically to promote the healing of burns, cuts, scrapes, and other skin irritations while preventing infection.
  • Respiratory Health: Used in steam inhalations to soothe respiratory irritation, ease coughs, and support recovery from colds and flu.

Preparation and Dosage

  • Tisane: Steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried lavender flowers in 1 cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes. Drink 1-3 times daily to reduce stress, promote sleep, or ease digestion.
  • Essential Oil: Lavender essential oil can be diffused, inhaled, or applied topically (diluted in a carrier oil) for relaxation, skin healing, or respiratory support. A few drops can also be added to a bath for relaxation.
  • Tincture: Take 1-2 ml of a 1:5 tincture in 25% alcohol, 2-3 times daily for anxiety, sleep support, or digestive health.
  • Topical Use: Lavender-infused oil or salve can be applied to the skin to promote healing, reduce inflammation, or treat burns and insect bites.
  • Aromatherapy: Inhale the scent of lavender from a sachet, essential oil, or dried flowers to reduce stress, promote calm, and support sleep.

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Lavender is generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding when used in culinary amounts or as aromatherapy. High doses should be used with caution.
  • Sedatives and Tranquilizers: Lavender’s sedative effects may enhance the effects of sedative medications, so use with caution if taking such drugs.
  • Allergies: Some individuals may be allergic to lavender, which can cause skin irritation or respiratory issues in sensitive individuals.
  • Children: Lavender essential oil should be used with caution in young children, particularly when applied topically, as it may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.

Materia magica

  • Calm and Peace: Lavender is traditionally used to bring calm, peace, and tranquility into the home or personal space, often placed under pillows or in sachets to promote restful sleep.
  • Love and Harmony: Used in love spells and rituals to attract love, promote harmony in relationships, and foster compassion and understanding.
  • Purification and Protection: Employed in purification rituals to cleanse spaces of negative energies and to protect against harmful influences. Lavender can be burned, sprinkled around the home, or carried as a protective amulet.
  • Dream Work: Lavender is associated with enhancing dreams and promoting intuitive insights during sleep, often placed under pillows or added to dream pillows for this purpose.
  • Planet: Mercury - Lavender is linked to Mercury, symbolizing communication, mental clarity, and healing, aligning with lavender’s effects on the nervous system and cognitive function.
  • Element: Air - Associated with the Air element, representing intellect, clarity, and communication, resonating with lavender’s calming and uplifting properties.
  • Zodiac Sign: Gemini and Virgo - Aligns with Gemini for communication, learning, and adaptability, and with Virgo for healing, order, and attention to detail, reflecting lavender’s dual roles in calming the mind and promoting healing.
View full details