Lavender (Xun Yi Cao)

Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia

Cupcakes, teas, soaps, and scents all benefit from lavender. It has been used for centuries to cure headaches, calm the spirit, soothe throats, and help acne. The Pilgrims brought lavender with them to America as one of their main healing medicines.

Watch a short video, from Ann Christensen, Founder and Creator of White Rabbit Institute of Healing™ – Don’t Underestimate Lavender Essential Oil.

Below is an overview of lavender, combining the best of Western Science, Oriental Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore, and a wide range of healing modalities. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of lavender.

Parts Most Frequently Used: Flower​

Flavors/Temps: Pungent, a Bit Bitter, Cool, Drying

Caution: Considered very safe. Remember not to use the essential oil internally! Used in too large a dose it can become poisonous and cause death by convulsions.

Key Constituents: Essential oil (containing Borneol, Geraniol, Terpenes (including Camphor), and Linalool), Linalyl acetate, Couramins, Caryophyllene, Tannins, Flavonoids, and other Antioxidant compounds

History/Folklore: Lavender is essentially a draining herb that is best applied in chronic excess conditions requiring dispersing, relaxing, and cooling. It is also used as a condiment in salads and salad dressing. Lavender nectar makes wonderful honey. A small satchel of dried flowers can be thrown into the drier to give clothes and sheets a fresh clean smell and the essential oil is used to treat acne and skin irritations.

Spanish lavender (L. stoechas) and French lavender (L. dentata) are two different varieties of lavender and are not to be confused with Lavandula angustifolia. All of these flowers have similar properties, but some herbalists and gardeners prefer one over the other.

The German Commission E has approved lavender flowers as promoting circulation and improving one’s mood.

The scent of lavender is one of the most recognized scents in the world and remains popular for use in cosmetics, soaps, and perfumes.

The name “lavender” derives from the Latin word “lavare” meaning “to wash.” It has been used to purify the body and spirit. It is often used in aromatherapy and massage to soothe and calm a person. An old Christian legend says that the plant acquired its scent from the newly washed clothes of the infant Christ that were hung over the plant to dry. Lavender is also associated with purity and therefore, the Virgin Mary.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), lavender is used to treat infertility, infection, anxiety, and fever. In Arabic medicine, it has been used to treat nausea and kidney problems. In Roman times the blossoms sold for about the same as a month’s wage for a farm laborer. The blossoms were used by the Romans to bathe in taking advantage of the plant’s fragrance and antiseptic properties.

Traditionally, lavender has been strewn across floors of churches and homes in Europe on festive days or to make bonfires to keep away the evil spirits. Bundles of lavender were placed in the hands of women during childbirth to promote courage and strength. It was said that planting lavender around your house will protect your family from evil spirits and putting it between bed sheets will prevent fighting between a husband and wife.

During the Great Plague of London in 1665, lavender was hung in bunches to mask the smell of death and decay. During this time many gloves were worn with lavender put inside. As lavender tends to repel fleas and insects it may well have helped to repel the plague.

The 17th century English herbalist, Culpeper said, “lavender is good for strengthening the stomach, it frees the liver and spleen from obstruction, and provokes a women’s menses.”

Lavender is a symbol of purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace, and calmness. Its purple color symbolizes royalty and is associated with the crown chakra, which is the energy center in the body associated with a higher purpose and spiritual connectivity.