Parsley - Uses and Benefits

Alternative Names:

Petroselinum crispum

Herb Description

Parsley is one of the best known and most widely used culinary herbs and it has been cultivated for more than 2,000 years.This herb is native to Lebanon, southern Europe and Algeria . It takes its name from the Greek word meaning "rock celery" (parsley is a relative to celery).It is actually a biennial plant, but is usually planted as an annual because the first year leaves have the best flavor. The use of curly leaf parsley is mostly favored, because it can not be confused with poison hemlock like flat leaf parsley or chervil . parsley was used medicinally prior to being consumed as a food.

Parsley is available in two types: a curly-leaf type, which has a mild taste, and a flat-leaf type, known as Italian parsley and has a more pronounced pungency than the curly-leaf variety. Parsley is one of the most widely known herbs The leaves contains vitamin C, vitamin A, iron and essential, aromatic oils in good amount. Parsley leaves and seeds are commonly used in cooking.

Uses and Benefits

Parsley used to control high blood pressure also used as an emmenagogue. It relieve from period pain and menstrual irregularity, as well as rheumatism.Due to its diruretic properties, its root play great service in gravel, stone, and jaundice.

Raw parsley clear the blood, dissolves sticky deposits in veins, maintains the elasticity of blood vessels, facilitates removal of moderately sized kidney & gallstones,good to treats deafness and ear infections, and benefits the sexual system.If there is bad breath ,chewing parsley prevents from it.

Parsley helpful in : diuretic ,removing excess water from the body,slimming ,detoxifies ,boosting kidneys ,gout and arthritis ,contracting the uterus after childbirth ,menstrual pain ,period irregularity .

Its traditional benefits are: Congestion , Culinary , Depression & Rheumatoid Arthritis

Parsley root is more generally prescribed than the seeds or leaves in herbal medicine. It is used as a treatment for flatulence, cystitis and rheumatic conditions. Parsley is also helpful as a promoter of menstruation, being works well both in stimulating a delayed period and in relieving menstrual pain.

Side Effects

People having untreated kidney or gallbladder problems may want to avoid eating parsley .Parsley may lead the risk of bleeding or potentiate the effects of warfarin therapy.It may cause some sort of internal reaction due to skin allergy.

Parsley is one of the foods that contain measurable amounts of oxalates, naturally-occurring substances found in plants, animals, and human beings. When oxalates become too concentrated in human body fluids, they can crystallize and cause health problems.

During pregnancy use of parsley seed not recommended because it may uterine bleeding and cause muscle contractions in the uterus. Some studies reported occasional allergic skin or mucous membrane reactions .

Parsley oil is toxic in nature so should not be used in isolation . Using high doses of Parsley oil or preparations rich in the oil can be poisonous .Symptoms of poisoning are increased contractions of the bladder, intestines and uterus. Other side effects include excessive weight loss, nosebleeds, kidney shutdown,bloody stools.

Dosage

Fluid Extract : 2 ml 3 times daily.

Prescribed dose :crushed herb and root 6 gm daily .

Infusion: 2 gm in 150 ml water, 3 times daily.

Drug Interactions

None known.

Medicinal Uses of Parsley

Parsley is a vitamin and mineral powerhouse, and as such should be part of every medicinal garden.  Indoors, it adds greenery and makes an attractive, edible garnish for the kitchen shelf during the winter.  Outdoors, it can be planted with other herbs or flowers, and makes a pretty, green accent.  

Parsley contains a large amount of chlorophyll, and as such is a natural breath sweetener.  Eat the leaves right off the plant to combat breath odors.  

Throughout history, Parsley Teas have been used mainly as kidney stone, bladder infection, and jaundice medications, as well as digestive aids.   The root appears to be more effective than the leaves, but leaves can also be used. Leaves can be dried, pulverized into a powder, and inserted incapsules, if desired.  See the link below for more information.  Pregnant women should avoid all but small quantities of Parsley because it can be irritating to the kidneys.  

Externally, make an Oil of Parsley leaves and roots to repel head lice, and try making an Ointment for use on swellings.  Pound the leaves into a paste and mix with a little water or tea to use on skin for easing symptoms from bug bites and stings. A little oatmeal can be added to this mixture for better consistency.   Try dipping a cloth in unsweetened tea and place over closed eyes for 10 minutes to reduce fatigue and swelling of the eyes

Tips on Growing Chamomile and its Benefits

An erect annual (Matricaria recutita),with small, daisylike flowers, is used to make chamomile tea and posessing a number of medicinal qualities.

German Chamomile seeds are one of the few seeds that need light to germinate, so starting them by seed is a delicate process. It is best planted outdoors in August by broadcasting the seed and mixing very lightly with the soil. Alternatively, they can be started indoors in propagation flats in March and transplanted outdoors after a hardening off period. In most cases, direct planting in the garden after all chance of frost has passed are successful, as well. Once they are firmly established, German Chamomile is extremely hardy.

Chamomile tea can be sprayed on propagation flats to prevent damping off. It is also believed to increase the absorption of calcium when added to a compost pile.


Growing German Chamomile

Growing CulturesOutdoors, containers, landscaping, mass plantings. German chamomile not recommended for containers.
Plant HeightChamomile grows to a height of 20 to 30 inches (50 - 70cm).
Plant SpacingChamomile plants should be spaced 6 inches (15 cm) apart.
Preferred pH Range
Chamomile will grow in a relatively wide pH range between 5.6 (acidic) and 7.5 (neutral).Propagation
From seed. Direct sow in spring or fall. Fall sown seeds germinate following spring. Seeds need light to germinate.Seed Germination Period7 to 14 days.
Seeds Per Gram (Approximate)10,000 to 18.000.
Soil Requirements
Well drained, poor to average soil.Alternative Growing Media
Soilless potting mixes, perlite, vermiculite, rockwool, coco peat, Oasis foam.Time From Seed to Saleable PlantSeeds to finished plugs, 6 weeks; plugs to saleable plants, 6 to 6 weeks.
Sun & Lighting RequirementsChamomile grown outdoors prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade.Chives 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 HardinessAnnual.Water RequirementsWater on a regular schedule, taking care to not overwater.Potential Pests & DiseasesAphids, mealybug. Minimal disease issues.Special NotesChamomile may be considered a noxious weed or invasive plant in some areas. Chamomile is known to attract bees, butterflies or birds and has fragrant blossoms. Chamomile self-sows freely; remove flowers (deadhead) if you do not want volunteer seedlings the following season.

Chamomile - Uses and Benefits

Alternative Names:

Feldkamille,Camomile, Chamomile,Fleurs de petite camomille, Wild Chamomile, Sweet Chamomile, German Chamomile, Hungarian Chamomile, Mayweed, Scented Mayweed, Pineapple Weed , Fleur de camomile, Flores Anthemidis.

Herb Description

Chamomile ( Anthemis nobilis ) is an annual herb originally from Europe which has escaped to the wild and is now grow on almost every part of world.The chamomile word is derived from the Greek chamos "ground" and melos "apple", referring to the low growing plant and the fact that the fresh flowers are somewhat apple like aroma.It can now be found maturation along fence rows, roadsides & fully sun light open areas from Southern Canada to Northern U.S. west to Minnesota.

It is a low height plant, crawling or trailing, its tufts of leaves and flowers are one foot high.The root of this small herb are jointed and fibrous, the stems, hairy & freely branching, are covered with leaves which are dichotomy into thread-like segments, the fineness of which gives the whole plant a feathery appearance.It flowers in July to September and are borne solitary on long, erect stalks, drooping when in bud.The leafage is feathery with an apple aroma , and it is accented by white, daisy-like flowers with down-turned petals.

Chamomile is considered one of the oldest garden herbs with medicinal property & used by the ancient Egyptians as a universal remedy for the treatment to promote calm and relieve anxiety at bedtime. Chamomile is naturally caffeine-free & used as a herbal tea in many parts of the world.It flowers are eatable and quite tasty in salads or used into a refreshing cold or warm beverage. It is useful in the treatment of asthma and hay fever as it contains anti-allergenic property.

Properties

• Analgesic.
• Antibacterial.
• Antiseptic.
• Digestive Stimulant.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Sspasmolytic.
• Vulnerary.
• Antimicrobial.
• Mild sedative.
• Carminative.
• Anticatarrhal.

Uses and Benefits

Chamomilla  are widely used to alleviate morning sickness, mastitis, menopausal symptoms, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea with a psychological component & hysteria .Internally it is used to treat to treat inflammation & spasms of the digestive tract. As a mouth rinse, it's taken for sore gums and oral inflammation.  

As a remedy chamomile is used for various disorders such as Bronchitis ,Colds ,Cough ,Fever ,Skin inflammation ,Sore throat ,Tendency to infection ,Wounds and burns . Chamomile is use to ebb & relaxes at bedtime,relieves restlessness, teething problems, and colic in children,relieves allergies, relieves morning sickness during pregnancy,speeds healing of skin ulcers, wounds, or burns,treats gastritis and ulcerative colitis.

Products made from chamomile are widely used as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antispasmodic, and sedative property.Its extracts are used to ease pain and irritation, clean wounds and ulcers, and aid irradiated skin injuries, as well as cure cystitis & dental afflictions . The tea has anti-inflammatory actions,beneficial for rheumatism, arthritis, and other painful swellings.

Scientist recommended chamomile as medicine or therapy to treat various problems such as allergies, arthritis, boils, colic, cuts, cystitis, dermatitis, dysmenorrhea, earache, flatulence, hair, headache, inflamed skin, insect bites, insomnia, nausea, neuralgia, PMS, rheumatism, sores, sprains, strains, stress, wounds,acne ,blisters ,depression ,digestive problems ,gout ,indigestion ,irritable bowel syndrome ,nervous tension, eczema & psoriasis.

Dosage

• Tea:

Take 1 cup boiling water add 2 teaspoon of dried flowers & steep covered for 10 to 15 minutes. Use three times in a day.

• Liquid Extract:

1:1 in 45% alcohol, 1-4ml . Use three times in a day.

• Tincture:

1:5 in 45% alcohol, 3-10ml. Use three times in a day.

Drug Interactions

Chamomile have tranquilizing properties which could add to the blood-thinning effect of Coumadin & similar drugs.It is recommended not to use with alcohol & anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium,Ativan, and Xanax.

Chamomile may heighten the level of drowsiness caused by some drugs such as benzodiazepines, ativan, barbiturates & phenobarbital.

Garlic - Uses and Benefits

Alternative Names:

Allium vineale bulbils , Bear's Garlic,   Black Garlic,  Few-flower Garlic,  Broadleaf Garlic ,Allium canadense bulbils, Allium vineale bulbils , Daffodil Garlic, Allium oleraceum .

Herb Description

Garlic ( Allium sativum ) is a perennial herb deep-rooted to Central Asia, and has long been a basic in the Mediterranean area, as well as a frequent seasoning in Asia, Africa, and Europe. It belongs to family Alliaceae and genus Allium , closely related to the shallot ,onion and leek .It is best known as a cooking constituent used for its wonderful taste.The word garlic drives from Old English garleac, meaning "spear leek.".It doesn't grow in the wild,It matures best on well-drained soils rich in organic matter. Sandy loam or loam soils have the most perfect texture for garlic. Egyptians idolized garlic and placed clay models of garlic bulbs in the tomb of king Tutankhamen.

The part of the plant most often used is an underground storage shape called a head . A head of garlic is made up of a dozen or more discretecloves , each of which is a botanical bulb .It leaves are long, narrow and flat shape grass. Each garlic clove may normally be made up of just one leaf base, unlike onions , which almost always have number of layers. The above ground parts of the garlic plant are also sometimes consumed, particularly while tender & immature .It has been used throughout all of recorded history for both medicinal & culinary uses.

Uses and Benefits

Garlic is widely used as a seasoning or a condiment. When crushed or finely mashed it produces allicin , a powerful antibiotic and anti-fungal compound . It also have alliin , ajoene , enzymes , vitamin B , minerals , and flavonoids .Garlic use as a remedy for hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure ,high cholesterol . Garlic barrier works a wonderful action of keeping birds from eating fruit crops like cherries, pears, apples, figs and berries.

It has been considered of good effect in epilepsy,If an infusion of the bruised bulbs, given before and after every meal. Bruised and mixed with lard, if rubbed on the chest and between the shoulder-blades. It has been proved to ebb whooping-cough. Studies shows a treatment of Garlica consumption is efficacious on tubercular.The freshly expressed juice, diluted with same amount of water, or dilute spirit of wine, being inhaled antiseptically.

Externally it is used as an ointments and lotions, and as an antiseptic, to disperse hard swellings .To treat scrofulous sores it employed as a poultice. It is said to prevent anthrax in cattle, being widely used for the purpose. Garlic is most often used in many types of cooking for its strong flavor, which is believed to increase many other flavors. Depending on the type of cooking and the desired result, the flavor is either mellow or intense.

Garlic cloves commonly used by aficionados as a treatment for infections , digestive symptoms, and fungal infections such as thrush . Garlic is also regulate sugar levels in the blood, and so can be woekful in late-onset diabetes.

Side Effects

Raw garlic is very strong, so eating excess could cause problems, for example irritation of or even damage to the digestive tract. While culinary amounts are generally safe, during pregnancy and lactation garlic can produce digestive disorders such as heartburn , and babies may not like the taste in breast milk.

Side effects caused from garlic include stomach upset , foul breath ,bloating, body odor, and a stinging sensation on the skin from handling too much fresh or dried garlic. Cases of botulism have been produced by using garlic-in-oil preparations.

There are a few individuals who are allergic to garlic . Symptoms of garlic allergy include skin rash, temperature and headaches.

Some studies shown that garlic supplements can cause a potentially harmful side effect when taken with a kind of medication used to cure HIV/AIDS in the same time.

Garlic has blood thinning actions so people with bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia or platelet problems, should not take medicinal doses of garlic or garlic supplements .

Dosage

• Garlic clove:

2 - 4 gm , minced garlic clove per day .

• Capsules:

300 - 450 mg . Use two times a day.

• Infusion:

4 gm in 150 ml of water per day .

• Fluid extract:

1:1 (g/mL) solution: 4 ml per day.

• Tincture :

1:5 (g/mL) solution: 20 ml per day.

• Oil:

Mash the cloves using a garlic press & stir into same amounts of fatty oil and let stand for 48 hours. When finished, filter the oil preparation.

Drug Interactions

Garlic may lower cholesterol .Using garlic with cholesterol lowering drugs may further decrease levels of cholesterol.

There have been reports of a possible interaction between warfarin & garlic that could heighten the risk of bleeding in individuals using this blood thinning medication.

Garlic may alter blood sugar levels. Individuals using oral drugs for diabetes or using insulin should be monitored closely by a health care professional while using garlic.

Fenugreek - Uses and Benefits

Alternative Names:

Fenugreek,Greek hay, Foenugreek, 

Herb Description

Fenugreek is an annual herbaceous plant deep-rooted to Asia & southern Europe . It is one of the oldest cultivated herb, fenugreek is widely found presently in the Mediterranean countries, Argentina, France, India, North Africa, & the United States as a medicinal, food, condiment, dye, & eat age plant. Fenugreek is normally famous as safe for human consumption as a spice and as a plant extract . It is also known as Methi or Classical Fenugreek , is a crop plant produced as a potherb . It is an erect herb, mature to be about 2 feet tall. It White flowers blooms in the summer and develop into long slender green pods. Mature brown pods have 20 tiny yellow aromatic seeds.The fenugreek seeds contain high amount of the polysaccharide galactomannan . The diamond like seeds are irregularly rounded, about 3 -5 mm long and 2-3 mm thick and wide.

It is a food that has been used safely for thousands of years as a common ingredient of curry.The fenugreek seed is usually taken in the preparation of curry powders , pickles, & pastes, and is generally used in the cuisine of the Thailand & Indian subcontinent. Egyptians use fenugreek roasted seeds and use them as coffee. The fresh leaves and sprouts of fenugreek are consumed as greens & the fresh or dried leaves are used to flavor other dishes. The dried leaves have a bitter taste and peculiar, not unlike lovage or celery and a strong characteristic odor which means they need to be taken sparingly. Fenugreek is normally used in the food industry as an artificial maple flavoring.

Uses and Benefits

Externally fenugreek is used for boils, eczema ,skin inflammations, ulcers, and cellulite . Internally fenugreek is used to treat numerous problems such as gastric inflammation,diabetes in adults , poor digestion, digestive disorders & tuberculosis. It is also beneficial for painful menstruation, labor pains and insufficient lactation. It is also efficacious treatment for painful testicles and premature ejaculation . It is generally taken for weight loss, anorexia & for appetite loss. Young fenugreek leaves are cooked as a vegetable curry and are also dried and used to flavor vegetable dishes. The roasted seeds are use in curry powder, pickles, stews and fried foods. The seed sprouts are also used as a salad.

In Ayurvedic medicine it is commonly used for digestive,rejuvenation ,bronchial complaints, gout ,arthritis and as an aphrodisiac. In Chinese medicine it is widely used for the treatment of kidney related pain such as premature ejaculation,back ache, as well as loss of libido, painful testicles, hernia, painful menstruation & edema of the legs

Now a days ,The fenugreek seeds are used to large extent in the manufactures of condition powders for cattle & horses . It has a powerful smell of coumarin and is widely used for flavoring cattle foods and to make damaged hay palatable.

Its seed has been taken to enhance milk production since biblical periods. The plant retains phytoestrogens, which are herbaceous chemicals similar to the female sex hormone estrogen. Diosgenin, a main compound, has been shown experimentally to enhance milk flow .

Side Effects

The herb fenugreek has produced aggravated asthma disorders in some women and has lowered blood glucose levels in some women with diabetes. Person using oral drugs for diabetes or taking insulin should be closely monitored by a doctor while using fenugreek.

Few side effects have been reported from exposure to fenugreek, such as numbness,facial swelling, breathing difficulty and fainting are likely a cause of an allergic reaction. Some side effects may occur such as dizziness, diarrhea and gas when fenugreek is used at recommended doses.

Fenugreek may cause loose stools in some women, can produce uterine contractions ,hypoglycemia in some mothers ,sweat and urine smells like maple syrup , since it can produce lowering of blood glucose levels so it is recommended to diabetic mothers should not use fenugreek without consulting any health care professional.

Dosage

Usual daily dosage:

• 1 - 2 gm. Take three times a day.(For general health )
• 50 gm. Take twice a day.(For type 1 diabetes )
• 2.5 gm of seed powder . Take three times a day.( For type 2 diabetes)

Tea:

• Drench 0.5 gm of crushed seed in 1 cup of cold water for 3 hours. Strain 5 min before drinking. Drink 3 times a day
   

Drug Interactions

Fenugreek should be taken at least 2 hours before or after any prescription drug because it may interfere with the absorption of other drugs that are taken orally.

Fenugreek may heighten the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulants (blood thinners) or antiplatelet drugs such as warfarin , heparin and clopidogrel .

Growing Fenugreek


Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum) is an annual indigenous to the Mediterranean and grown widely in Europe and Asia. It has a long medicinal history, and is recommended for cleansing the chest and lungs in Culpepper's Herbal of 1649.

Planting Fenugreek

Fenugreek grows to about two feet (60cm), with yellow/white flowers and long yellow seedpods. It likes full sun and well-drained, neutral to slightly acid soil. It doesn't like to be transplanted. In spring, after the threat of frost has passed, sow seeds to a depth of a little less than a quarter inch. The seeds sprout quickly. Unlike many other herbs that thrive on neglect, fenugreek likes fertile soil, so be generous with the compost. Space plants five to six inches apart.

In New York City recently, the aroma of fenugreek created a cloud of mysterious maple fragrance which was traced to a nearby manufacturing plant. Your garden can smell like maple too.

Harvesting Fenugreek Seed Pods

Harvest and dry seedpods in early to mid fall, and store them in an airtight container in a dry, dark spot.

Using Fenugreek as an Herbal Remedy

Fenugreek can be taken internally or used topically. It is most often used to treat coughs and sore throat, although current research suggests that it may be effective in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, can help lower blood cholesterol, and increase circulation. It is also often recommended as an herbal treatment for tinnitus. For more information on possible uses for fenugreek, visit: Fenugreek as an Herbal Remedy

Other Uses for Fenugreek

It is a common ingredient in curries and imitation maple syrup. It can also be used as a dye.

Fenugreek Aphrodisiac

Fenugreek usually makes the short list of sexual stimulant herbs, and has been used with some success in treating male impotence. It's thought that Fenugreek's ability to help improve circulation is the cause.

In women, fenugreek may also help in treating vaginal dryness.

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.