Lavender Tea and Anxiety

Lavender is a fragrant plant that is referred to in the Bible as nard or spikenard. It was used for centuries for all kinds of things from recovery after childbirth, to problems with digestion. It is still a popular herb in today's world. There are different kinds of lavender. Some kinds are considered weeds.

The most commonly used kind of lavender for healing purposes is Lavandula augustifolia. There seems to be very little research on lavender in tea form. According to folklore, a tea can be brewed from lavender that can be used for anxiety and stress. Lavender tea can also help with bloating and digestive issues. Lavender tea can be applied topically  for skin issues.

The area where the most research has been done with lavender is essential oil. Several studies have shown that lavender essential oil may be beneficial for anxiety and stress. It is used by aromatherapists to bring calm from anxiety and stress. Lavender oil can be used as a massage oil which is very soothing. Lavender can be added to the bath to bring restful peace.

Lavender tea is popular and can be found in most places that sell herbal teas. It can be found online. Lavender can be mixed with other herbs and teas to make a pleasant and calming beverage. Some popular combinations are lavender and green tea, lavender and chamomile, lavender and mint and lavender and white tea.

There is an almost endless list of herbs and spices that can be added to lavender tea. Put on your creative cap and experiment. See what you can come up with. Below is a recipe.

Lavender Tea

3 T fresh lavender flowers or 1 1/2 T dried lavender flowers
2 C boiling water
Honey or sweetener of choice
Lemon if desired

Put the flowers in an infuser or a tea pot. Add the boiling water and let the flowers steep 4-5 minutes. Strain and pour into cups. Serve with sweetener and/or lemon.

Sources:
Castleman, Michael, The New Healing Herbs, Rodale, 2009, p. 202
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/lavender.html
http://medlicker.com/882-lavender-tea-benefits-side-effects
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/lavender

Check out my web site at www.valerielull.com  My book called Ten Spices for health and Longevity is now out in paperback.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
Ten Spices for Health and Longevity
valerielull923@gmail.com

5 Herbs for Household Use

Most people know that herbs can be used for culinary purposes and almost everyone knows that there are medicinal properties to herbs that have been used since ancient times. But in today's world the knowledge of using herbs for household purposes seems to have become lost knowledge. I often wondered what people used to clean their homes before bleach and other cleaning chemicals were invented. In fact I did not know that bleach had been invented. It thought people always had bleach.

 I did a little digging and found that herbs were used by our ancestors to clean their homes, repel insects and many other household uses. Some of the things they used were vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice. I found so much information that I could not possibly compact it all into one article, so I narrowed it down to 5 herbs for household use to write about.

 Lemon Juice, citrus limon, is good for all kinds of things. It is good for cleaning cutting boards used to cut meats and vegetables. It is good for cleaning counters and tile. It can lend a fresh scent to any surface you clean and it repels fleas. Lemon juice citrus limon does not kill fleas, but the fleas don't like the scent of lemon so they go away. 

Here is a flea treatment that is very safe for your pet and easy and inexpensive to make. The basic recipe can be made at home. Cut up six lemons. Boil them in a quart of water for 5 minutes. Steep the lemons for 8  hours in a covered pot. Pour the liquid in a spray bottle. This will last about a week if stored in the refrigerator. Spray your pet after it has been bathed and avoid the animal's eyes.This can be sprayed on pet bedding and pet toys. 

Lavender, Lavendula officinalis, is well known for its lovely scent. It makes a wonderful air freshener and can be used to scent closets and drawers. Put a little lavender lavendula officinalis on a cotton ball and place it in your drawers and closets. Sprinkle lavender on your couch and carpet. Let it sit for a few minutes, then vacuum. It will leave your furniture smelling fresh and clean. It will get rid of pet odors and cats will not sit in a spot that has been sprayed with lavender oil. Lavender lavendula officinalis, can be sprayed on linens to freshen them and can be made into liquid hand soap.  

Rose Petals, Rosa, have a heavenly scent. They can be spread in the aisle for weddings. a lovely bouquet can be put on your dining room table as a thing of beauty as well as the lovely scent; and rosewater can be used as an air freshener.

Here is a recipe for rose potpourri. Take the dried peel from an orange, citrus cinensus, some dried lavender lavendula augustifolia and dried rose rosa petals. Add a few drops of lavender lavendula augustifolia essential oil. Transfer the mixture to a glass jar. Seal and let the mixture blend for a couple of days. Unseal and pour into a decorative bowl and enjoy the scent of your potpourri. 

Cedar, cedrus, is another botanical that fleas absolutely hate and will do anything to avoid. You can put cedar chips in affected areas of your home and in your pet's bed. Use cedar chips for cat litter for odor control. Be sure your pet is not allergic to cedar. Do not use cedar oil on your pet. It is not good for them.

Cedar cedrus is good for getting rid of other insect pests like termites, roaches, ants and beetles. Cedar chests and cedar-lined closets are known to repel moths that can damage your clothing. If you can't afford an all-cedar closet, get some cedar chips and put them in little bags or sachets and put them in your closet and dresser drawers. Besides repelling moths and insects it makes your clothes smell nice. 

Tea Tree Oil, melaleuca alternifolia, comes from Australia and is another substance that repels fleas. Put a tablespoon of tea tree oil in a spray bottle and mix with a quart of water. Spray it around your house. I used it on my carpet and upholstered furniture and it did a marvelous job of killing fleas. It will kill ticks too. Do not spray it on your pet; it is toxic to them.

Tea tree oil  melaleuca alternifolia can be used for household cleaning and disinfecting. It has antibacterial properties. It also kills mold and mildew in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. Add it to vinegar and water. Use 50 drops per bucket of water for cleaning tile and countertops. Put a few drops in your laundry during the wash cycle. Put a drop or two on a cotton ball and put it in with your stored clothing to repel moths. There are many uses for tea tree oil. Check out the Internet for more ideas.

The list of things you can use herbs for in your home is endless. If you have pets, you might want to check with your veterinarian about their safety for animals. Never use essential oils on cats. Their bodies cannot process it. Herbs for household use are a great substitute for harmful chemicals.
  
Sources:
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/home-made-lemon-spray-flea-control-7599930. html
http://www.yankeemagazine .com/article/resources/lavender-air-freshener#
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/homemade-lavender-rose-potpourri
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/natural-flea-control-with-ordi-62829
http://www.ehow.com/list 5988799 uses-cedar-chip.html
http://www.walterreeves.con/insect-and-animals/moth-control-cedar-closets/
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00580/natural-household-cleaning-products.html
http://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/9-surprising-uses-for-tea-tree-oil

Be sure to check out my website at www.valerielull.com Your comments on this article are welcome.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
valerielull953@gmai.com

Lavender, Lavandula officinalis

I had an experience this week that brought home to me how valuable lavender can be. I burned my thumb with boiling water and it hurt pretty bad. I had some lavender oil nearby and I doused the burn with it. Two hours later the pain was gone, there was no scaring and it was like I had never burned it at all. Lavender is wonderful stuff for burns. It is also good for bumps and bruises. I just feel fortunate that I had the lavender oil on hand.

Lavender is what I call a super herb. It is used for so many things. It has many cosmetic uses such as air freshener, perfume, soaps and bath preparations. It also has healthful uses. There are several varieties of lavender. Among them are English lavender, True lavender, Spanish lavender, and Spike lavender.  Each kind has different uses. Spike lavender is harsh and mainly used for making soaps. Spanish lavender is not usually used for cooking or medicinal purposes. True lavender grows at a high elevation and produces the finest essential oil. English lavender is used for cosmetic purposes.

  

Lavender has been used for thousands of years as an antiseptic, disinfectant, sedative, stimulant, tonic and carminative (helps flatulence). It is used topically for scrapes, bumps, bruises and burns. Lavender is good for dental decay because of it's antimicrobial and antibacterial activity. It is also antifungal and heals wounds. It is good for chills, infectious diseases, feverishness and feeling tired. A mild infusion can be made that is good as a sedative, and helps insomnia, poor digestion, migraines and irritability. The oil is a good tonic for hair. Dried lavender flowers made into a sachet can be scattered among clothing to keep the moths away. Lavender flowers are also useful when making a potpourri.  

Lavender essential oil can be used in massage when diluted with another oil and leaves a delightful scent. It can be made into a lotion, or a compress for burns, eczema or lung congestion. Lavender essential oil is one of the few essential oils that can be used orally. It can be inhaled for respiratory problems. Lavender has been said to be good for hair loss when combined with thyme, rosemary and cedarwood in a base of jojoba and grapeseed oil. It is also useful for dandruff. Lavender can be used as a tea for anxiety. Lavender is truly a super herb.

Would you like to checkout my website? Go to www.valerielull.com 

Valerie Lull, Author

Ten Healthy Teas

Lullval@clearwire.net