Organic French Lavender Flower

Qualities: Considered soothing, gentle, invigorating and aromatic, Lavender is used for a variety of medicinal purposes. For centuries, lavender tea has been used to purify the body and spirit, and eliminate headaches, dysmenorea, nausea, insomnia, depression, fatigue, and general anxiety associated with busy living. A highly aromatic tea, you may try blending it with other teas such as black or Chinese green teas.

French chefs in and around Provence, France have been incorporating this herb into their cuisine for many centuries. Lavender lends a floral, slightly sweet and elegant flavour to most dishes. For most cooking applications it is the dried buds (also referred to as flowers) of lavender that are utilised, though some chefs experiment with the leaves as well. It is the buds however that contain the essential oil of lavender, which is where both the scent and flavour of lavender are best derived.

It yields a highly effective essential oil with very sweet overtones, and can be used in balms, salves, perfumes, cosmetics, and topical applications. Essential oil of lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.

An infusion of lavender is said to soothe headaches. Lavender is frequently used as an aid to sleep and relaxation: an infusion of flowerheads added to a cup of boiling water are recommended as a soothing and relaxing bedtime drink. Lavender oil is claimed to heal acne when used diluted 1:10 with water, rosewater, or witch hazel; it is also used in the treatment of skin burns and inflammatory conditions.

Stress

If you find yourself nervous or stressed out, drinking lavender tea may calm you down. However, aromatherapy or a massage with essential oils from lavender may be more effective in relaxing the nervous system and ridding you of stress. Tea can still be helpful, though.

Headaches

Drinking lavender tea and using lavender in inhalation therapy can be used to treat headaches. Inhalation therapy involves putting two to four drops of lavender essential oil into 2 to 4 cups of boiling water and inhaling.

Insomnia

Scientific evidence suggests that aromatherapy with lavender can improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation and slowing the nervous system, the University of Maryland Medical Center says. Using lavender in tea may have a similar effect, as it has been approved in Germany for that purpose, according to the University of Maryland.

Concentrated Tea

Concentrated tea, prepared by dropping 5 tbsp. of dried flowers in a cup of boiling water, can be used to disinfect wounds and ulcerations by rubbing the concentrated tea on the affected area.

Other Uses

Lavender in the form of tea, essential oil, aromatherapy oils, infusions and extracts---can also be used to treat anxiety, alopecia areata, postoperative pain, colds and other viruses, fever, skin diseases, joint and muscle pain and other ailments.

Origin:  Provence, France

Harvest Period: 2013

Brewing Guide: To get the most out of your tea, as a general rule it's always recommended to use glass-based or porcelain tea ware. First rinse the tea cup and teapot with hot water. For maximum benefit, medicinal tea must be properly prepared. Pour 8 oz. freshly boiled water over 2 teaspoons of Lavender in your tea ware. Cover and steep 10-15 minutes. Water temperature, covering your tea ware, and the steeping time greatly influence the yield and the strength of beneficial components that will end up in your teacup.

References

• University of Maryland Medical Center: Lavdender
• LiveandFeel.com: Lavender Tea
• Teabenefits.com: Lavender Tea Benefits