The Many Uses of Lavender
By Amy Silva
Lavender is a popular type of flower used for various reasons aside from adding color to gardens. Its flowers can be dried and used to freshen spaces, and lavender fragrance is added to a plethora of bath and body products such as soaps, shampoo, and perfumes and body sprays. It's a common fragrance used in household cleaning products, candles, and can also be purchased in essential oil form for other uses, such as aromatherapy. Many people feel calm and relaxed when they smell lavender and believe it helps them fall asleep.
About Lavender
Lavender use dates back to ancient times where the Romans, and others, enjoyed its fragrance in various ways such as using it to add a fresh scent to baths and for personal care. Lavender comes in a few different forms such as the natural plant, a dietary supplement in pill form and in oil form. It's a flowering herb related to mint with flowers that are a beautiful shade of light purple and a floral smell that's widely popular all over the world.
Possible Health Benefits of Lavender
Research shows that when in oil form, lavender could help symptoms of anxiety and depression. A study was done on its potential healing, as it's believed to have antiseptic properties, and the study showed cuts were healed more quickly with lavender oil than with two alternative methods. The scent of lavender could improve sleep, which is something many people swear by, whether or not studies prove it. It's possible it could lower blood pressure and ease symptoms of asthma as well. It's believed that lavender tea may help nausea.
Ways to Use Lavender Around the House
Aside from the different ways to use lavender oil listed above, lavender has other uses when in its natural state or dried such as:
- Freshen areas of the house - Put dried lavender flowers in sachets and leave around the house in areas that could use a bit of freshening up such as closets, under beds, or in bathrooms
- Bug repellent - Plant lavender around the perimeter of the house to help ward off pesky mosquitoes and flies
- Food and drink - Lavender can be turned into tea, and its dried flowers added to food dishes including salads, cheese, and sweet treats such as baked goods and ice cream
Lavender can be used in various forms and for many uses inside and outside the home, and it may even possess health benefits. At the very least, it adds a beautiful color to your garden and could keep bugs away.
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