Lovely Lavender The Very Queen Of Herbs

Those fortunate enough to have walked in a field of lavender and inhaled the heady aroma emanating from the purple waves of the flowering plants will most likely never forget the experience. It could be the beginning of a passionate love affair with this wonderful herb. Spring is the ideal time to plant lavender, and you don't need fields of this magical herb to enjoy it. Add a few plants to your herb garden; plant lavender beneath your rose bushes to hide the rose's scraggly legs; put lavender in a window box near the entrance to your home so all who enter can enjoy the heavenly fragrance, or simply pot up several lavenders and place them on your patio or in your kitchen on a south-facing window sill. You'll soon become captivated by the lure of lovely lavender and enjoy its many uses.

As one of the most loved aromatic herbs, lavender has been cultivated and used throughout the centuries. In ancient times, the Egyptians used lavender in incense and perfume and it was even used in the mummification process. The Arabs, Greeks and Romans used lavender as an offering to their gods.

Lavender is a popular gift item that can be purchased separately or in a gift basket. Most of the aromatherapy gifts are made with essential oil and dried lavender buds. Examples of these are bar soap, bath bomb fizzers, bath crystals, bath oil beads, closet or drawer sachets, hand and body lotions, sleep pillows and soothing herbal sea salts. Beauty products that contain lavender range from body sprays and hair care products to a variety of skin care products. All of the above products mentioned are used for the sole purpose of creating a sense of peace and to promote relaxation.

Throughout history, lavender has found its way into the homes of many historical figures. Queen Victoria insisted that her furniture and floors be cleaned with lavender to freshen up the rooms in her castle. Queen Elizabeth I of England enjoyed drinking lavender tea as a way to relieve her migraines and other maladies. During World War I, nurses treated injured soldiers by washing their wounds with an antiseptic wash that contained lavender.

It has also been used to prevent some childhood infections and to soothe temper tantrums in children. The most common uses of lavender are to: treat burns (from minor to scalding), eczema, grazes, cuts, inflammation, dermatitis, headaches, migraines, fainting, nausea, insomnia, bacterial infections, boils, acne, arthritis and rheumatism. As a germicidal agent, lavender oil is non-toxic.

To preserve your dried lavender for cooking purposes, separate the buds from the stems, rub the flower heads gently between your hands over a clean cloth or plate. To remove any dried leaves from the flowers, sift them through a sieve. Store your culinary lavender buds in a dark-colored glass container out of light. The buds will maintain their flavor for several years and enliven many of your food dishes with a fresh, enticing hint of lavender. By grinding lavender buds in a spice grinder when you're ready to add them to a recipe, you'll release more essential oil, which will increase the lavender flavor in the dish.