COMMON NAME: Northwest Lavender, English Lavender, Garden Lavender, Common Lavender

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lavandula angustifolia, L. vera, L. officinalis

FAMILY NAME: Lamiaceae (Mint)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: Mediterranean

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: USA, France, Spain

HISTORY INFORMATION: Lavender has been used continuously for thousands of years either in the form of the essential oil or as the fresh or dried flowers. Lavender bags were used to repel insects. Romans used it as an antiseptic to bathe their wounds. The town of Mitchum in England used to be very famous for its lavender (once prized in Elizabethan England), but now most of England's lavender is grown in Norfolk. Moroccan's use it to flavor their food. Lavender is probably most famous for its ability to calm and relax. Lavender is considered the most versatile essence especially for therapeutic use, and it is considered a universal blending agent.

GENERAL INFORMATION: The plant name comes from the Latin word lavare, meaning "to wash". There is much confusion over lavender. Lavender 40/42 has a strong smell, but is usually a combination of real lavenders and synthetics. French lavender is also called Lavender 40/42, as well as a plant named French lavender (Lavandula dentata) which has toothed leaves and a pleasant scent, but not used to produce oil. Lavandula latifolia (spike lavender) and L. spica are used for dried herbal wands and baskets. Their scent is considered rather harsh. Lavandin is a hybrid of L. augustifolia and L. latifolia and is used to adulterate or replace true lavender. In fact, lavandin is now mistaken by most people as being true lavender. Lavandin produces more flowers, can be cultivated in more places than true lavender and therefore produces more oil, but the oil is not as delicate, relaxing and calming as true lavender. True lavender from France is produced from L. augustifolia Miller and when this plant is reproduced from the plant and not seed, it is called "Maillette". True lavender grows at only high altitudes. The flower essence is said to assist people whose minds need calming so that they can reconnect to their higher self.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: An evergreen woody shrub growing to 3 feet high with green, narrow, linear leaves producing violet-blue flowers.

PARTS PROCESSED: Fresh flowering tops.

PROCESSING METHODS: Steam distilled.

COLOR RANGE: Clear to light yellow.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class Ester/Alcohol. Linalyl acetate, linalool, lavanduiol,lavandulyl,terpineol,cineol, limonene.

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Analgesic, anticonvulsive, antidepressant, antimicrobial, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, carminative, cholagogue, choleretic, cicatrizant, cordial,, deodorant, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypotensive, insecticide, nervine, parasiticide, rubefacient, sedative, stimulant, sudorific, tonic, vermifuge, vulnerary. Used for abscesses, acne, allergies, athlete's foot, boils, bruises, burns, dandruff, dermatitis, earache, eczema, inflammation, insect bites, insect repellent, lice,, ringworm, sunburns, wounds, lumbago, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism, sprains, asthma, bronchitis, halitosis, throat infections, abdominal cramps, colic, flatulence, flu, depression, headache, insomnia, migraine, nervous tension and shock.

MENTAL USES: I am at peace with myself and my world.

EMOTIONAL USES: Anxious, stressed, tense, tired TO relaxed, peaceful, contented, loving

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate you are stressed and pushing yourself too hard. You could also be oversimulated because of caffeine or other drugs to make you more alert. There could be damage to the energy field because of excessive stress, drugs, mental and/or emotional abuse. Lavender releases drugs in the energy field. It also dissolves mental and emotional debris interfering with higher guidance. Lavender is a powerful oil, so only use within a sacred space as negative forms may be released with use.

APPLICATIONS: Aroma lamp, bath diffusor, inhaler, light bulb ring, massage, mist spray, steam inhalation.

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Nontoxic, OK in pregnancy, do not use with preparations containing iodine or iron.