Everything You Need To Know About Herbs: Lavender

Everything You Need to Know About Herbs: Lavender

Lavender (Lavendula officinale, Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) )

*Medical Herb *Kitchen Herb *Masculine

Folk Names: Elf leaf, Nard, Nardus, Spike

Plant: Mercury

Element: Air, Water

Deities: Circe, Brighid, Hecate, Cernunnos

Abilities: Love, Protection, Sleep, Chastity, Longevity, Purification, Happiness, Peace, Intuition, and Awareness

Characteristics: The evergreen leaves can be bluish in color and grow from 1 to 1 ¾ inches long. The flowers bloom on 1 ½ - 2 ½ inch spikes. Requires full sun exposure and excellent soil drainage. Scent has a relaxing and uplifting aroma

Easy to plant or grow?: Yes. How to Plant Lavender

History: Earliest recording of the usage of lavender was by Roman soldiers who used the plant as a perfume for their bathwater and to cleanse their clothing. Its name derives from the Latin word lavare which translates “to wash”. The English variation of lavender is used in cooking and have a sweet scent and taste. Sprigs of lavender were given to women in labor in order to ease the pain.

Magical Usage:

Can be used in edibles, elixirs and charms

Brings calmness and peace to your mind, home and body

Resonates with the crown chakra so it is good for spiritual attunement

Its energy lends focus to herbal mixtures for love, protection, peace and purification

Dried flowers burned in an incense is good for home welcoming and blessing those who enter the home

Using its oil form can amplify its abilities

Dried lavender in your pillow can help promote pleasant dreams

Putting sprinkles of lavender into a glass with cold water and placing that under one’s pillow can create peace and banish night terrors and bad dreams

Clothing with the essence of lavender or the flowers in the pockets is good for love attraction

If applied in some healing mixtures, it will allow the ability to see ghosts

Medical Usage:

Calms anxiety

Promotes restful sleep

Relieves headaches

Repels insects