Lovely Lavender
By Vicki Greener, Aromatic Specialist
Did you know that you can grow your own lavender in our dry, hot, Arizona desert? There is a specific desert varietal (Hyptis emoryi, H. albida). It grows in the southwest and can be used medicinally using the leaf, stem and flower. It is cooling to inflammation when used topically or internally and has traditionally been used for internal hemorrhaging, coughs, colds, flu, sore throat and toothache. It can be used in a bath for bleeding hemorrhoids and topically in a salve or oil for wounds, burns and skin irritations. The tincture or tea is excellent for chronic lung inflammation, asthma, allergies and chest congestion. Drank as a cool tea it supports digestion, reduces stomachache and reduces inflammation in the gut. Drank hot, it is a diaphoretic, is relaxing and tones the mucous membranes. When using a tincture of desert lavender, it is specific for relaxing and to restore the liver. (Southwest Medicinal Plants, John Slattery pg. 153-155)
Now the question many of you may have about right now is, why not just ingest a drop of lavender essential oil by putting a drop in my water? At Desert Sage Herbs, we do not recommend using essential oils internally, unless you are working with a qualified, trained aromatic clinician, as essential oils are highly concentrated plant medicine and generally the essential oil does not have the same properties a dried herb would. For example, it takes 3 pounds of the lavender flowers to make a 15ml or 1/2 ounce bottle of lavender essential oil. If my calculations are correct using 1/2 tsp. of lavender flowers in a tea means you would be drinking approximately 10 cups of tea per drop of the essential oil. Yikes!
Come on in and check out all the different ways you can use lavender for your family’s well-being.
♥Vicki
Our Favorite Lavender Herbal Formulas
Sleepy Times Tea from Desert Sage Herbs
Up Lift Me Tea from Desert Sage Herbs
Anxiety Soother from Herb Pharm
Essential Oil Blends
Calming from Desert Sage Herbs
CitriMune from Desert Sage Herbs
Tranquility from Desert Sage Herbs
Cool Nights from Desert Sage Herbs
Nighty Night from Desert Sage Herbs
Sleep EZ from Desert Sage Herbs
Lavender Sleep Aromatherapy Blend
1 oz carrier oil (Jojoba, Almond, Coconut, etc)
5 drops Lavender Essential Oil
5 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil
3 drops Ho Wood Essential Oil
2 drops Roman Chamomile Essential Oil