Tips on Growing Lavender and its Benefits

Common name for a genus (Lavandula) of fragrant herbs or shrubs of which a Mediterranean subshrub species (L. spica) is grown for ornament in the garden and for its sweet scent when dried. The dried flowers are used to fill sachets and to perfume clothing or linens. Commercially they, and the green parts, are used for making "oil of spike," aromatic vinegar and lavender water.

True lavender, not being fully hardy, is little grown in northern gardens, where it must be protected over winter by mulching. It is more popular, therefore, in the milder Pacific Coast and in the South. As seed produces variable plants, propagation is commonly by cuttings of selected plants. Taken of one-year-old "wood" in spring, these are set in a shady place, 4 inches apart, and kept cultivated for a year.



Then they are transplanted not less than 2 feet asunder in permanent quarters in dry, light, limy, friable soil and full sunlight. In such a location they thrive best, develop the maximum fragrance and are least likely to be injured in winter. In wet soils, they grow but poorly; in rich soils, they become lush and sappy, and in both types they lack fragrance and easily succumb to frost.

Growing Lavender

Growing CulturesOutdoors, containers, hydroponics.
Plant HeightLavender grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches (30 - 45cm).
Plant SpacingLavender plants should be spaced 18 to 24 inches (45 - 60cm) apart.
Preferred pH Range
Lavender will grow in a relatively wide pH range between 6.1 (mildly acidic) and 8.5 (alkaline) with a preferred range between 6.5 and 7.5.Propagation
From seed, sow indoors six weeks before last frost. Propagates well through softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings.Seed Germination Period10 to 28 days. Germination of english types (L. angustifolia) is frequently below 50 percent; scarification or freezing of seedflat can sometimes improve germination.
Seeds Per Gram (Approximate)Between 850 and 1300.

Soil Requirements
Light, well-drained, deep, not overly rich soil.
Alternative Growing Media
Soilless potting mixes, perlite, vermiculite, rockwool, coco peat, Oasis foam.
Time From Seed to Saleable PlantSow seeds 20 to 26 weeks before sale. Seeds to finished plugs, 12 to 16 weeks. Plugs to saleable plant, 8 to 10 weeks.
Sun & Lighting RequirementsLavender grown outdoors prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade.Lavender will grow indoors satisfactorily under standard fluorescent lamps, and exceptionally well under high output fluorescent , compact fluorescent, or high intensity discharge (metal halide or high pressure sodium) plant growing lights. Keep standard fluorescent lamps between 2 and 4 inches from the tops of the plants, high output and compact fluorescents approximately one foot above the plants, and HID lights between 2 and 4 feet above the plants, depending on wattage. Have an oscillating fan gently stir seedlings for at least 2 hours per day to stimulate shorter, sturdier, and more natural plant habit.
USDA Hardiness5a to 9b.Water RequirementsWater on a regular schedule, do not overwater.Potential Pests & DiseasesMealybug, whitefly, spider mites, scale. Minimal disease issues.Special NotesLavender is known to attract bees, butterflies or birds. Fragrant flowers. Suitable for containers.

Lavender - Uses and Benefits

lternative Names:

Herb Description

Lavender is a ever green culture cottage garden plant. Its gray-green spikes of foliage and purple flowers provide color all year. The dried flowers have been one of the main ingredients of potpourri. There are hundreds of varieties but the tried and true large form of English Lavender is hard to beat. Fast growing, long blooming, long lived, hardy, sun and drought tolerant properties are heaven sent characteristics for western gardeners.

The lavender flowers use in salads to add beautiful color . Lavender can also be substituted for rosemary in many bread recipes. For the preparation of cake, buns or custards Lavender flowers can be put in sugar and sealed tightly for a couple of weeks . Grind the lavender in a herb or coffee grinder or mash it with mortar and pestle. Lavender is taken from the Latin "lavare" which means "to wash" and that is just what the Romans did with lavender. The English variety - Lavendula angustifolia (also called as L. officinalis, L. Vera and L. spica) . There are lot of cultivars such as Hidcote (dark purple), Jean Davis (pink), Nana Alba (white). Lavandin which is a cross between lavender and spike ( Lavandula latifolia ) can only be grown from cuttings.

Lavender is a heavily branched short plant that grows to a height of roughly 60 centimeters. Its broad rootstock bears woody branches with erect, rod-like, leafy, green shoots. A silvery down covers the gray-green narrow leaves, which are oblong and tapered, attached directly at the base, and curled spirally.Some varieties have flowers of pale pink, dark purple, white, or magenta and are harvested toward the end of flowering season when the petals have begun to fade . lavender is mostly used for treating many skin complaints including acne, itchy or cracked skin, acne, blisters, warts, abscesses, boils, and eczema.

Properties

Anticonvulsive, Antidepressant, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Appeasing, Calming, Cephalic, Cytophylactic, Decongestant, Emmenagogue, Healing, Insect Repellent, Stimulant

uses and benefits

It has aromatic, carminative and nervine properties & mostly used in perfumery, not much employed internally, except as a flavoring agent. Externally applied, it relieves toothache, neuralgia, sprains, and rheumatism.

It has been used for the treatments of

• nerves
• migraines
• headaches
• tension
• emotional stress
• sore muscles
• tense muscles
• skin
• immune
• circulatory systems

There are lot of benefits of Using Lavender like: Digestive ( Used to treat dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, nausea, diarrhea. ),Genitourinary( Used to treat infections, leucorrhea and cystitis. ) ,Blood Circulation( Lowers blood pressure ) ,Muscles/joints( used to treat muscular aches, rheumatism, lumbago, sprains. ) , Respiratory( Used for throat infections, flu, bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma, sinus congestion, laryngitis, tonsillitis. ) , Skin( Used to treat acne, cuts, burns, sunburn, inflammation, psoriasis, wrinkles. ) , Emotions ( used to treat depression, headache, insomnia, headache, nervous exhaustion, restlessness, moodiness. ), Other include ( Used to treat insect bites and nettle stings,Repels moths, hypertension,Insomnia  , Menopause , Metabolism  , Migraine  , Nervous Tension  , Neurasthenia  , Palpitations  , Premenstrual Syndrome )

Lavender organic skin care is an ideal herbal skin care treatment for an all natural man skin care, and an acne natural skin care remedy .

If use as a Treatment lotion: Calendula shows powerful properties to accelerate the healing of fire burn or over-exposed skin, chapped, severely dry or scarred skin; even skin damaged from laser , cosmetic surgery or sunburn.

side effects

Harmful if contact with eyes and mucous membranes.Many people with low blood pressure may feel a bit dull and drowsy after using this oil. It is also best avoided during the early months of pregnancy. excessive intake may cause drowsiness.

If taken internally or absorption of lavender through the skin shows nausea, vomiting, headache, and chills in some cases. Pregnant & breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender,because its a uterine stimulant.

dosage

Lavender Water can easily be made at home. Take a quart bottle & put 1 OZ of Lavender oil , one drop of Musk and 1 1/2 pint spirits of wine. These 3 ingredients are well mixed together by shaking. The mixture is left to settle, shaken again in a few days, then poured into little perfume bottles fitted with air-tight stoppers as it is evaporate in nature

In aroma therapy, add 2 to 4 drops of lavender oil to 2 to 3 cups of boiling water, and inhale the steam once per day. At bath add six drops of lavender oil or 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dried lavender flowers may be added to bath water. In pain full areas like muscles or the temples and nape of the neck for tension headaches or the first hint of a migraine apply Lavender oil gently.

Tea extract

Internal:

• Infusion: 1-2 teaspoons (approximately 0.8-1.6 g) in 150 ml water (Note: 1 teaspoon flower = 0.8 g).
• Essential oil: 1-4 drops (approximately 20-80 mg), e.g., on a sugar cube.

Note: Combinations with other sedative or carminative herbs may be beneficial.

Bath additive

External:

• Bath additive: 20-100 g for a 20 liter bath.

drug interactions

There are no known scientific reports of interactions between lavender and conventional medications, this herb could potentially enhance the effects of central nervous system depressants including narcotics (such as morphine) for pain and benzodiazepines (such as lorazepam, diazepam, and alprazolam) for anxiety and sleep.