Thursday Thirteen, #2 (Lovely Lavender)

Thirteen Things about Lavender by Thorne 13 Uses for Lavender 1)Aromatherapy Use #1 For Insomnia, stress, relaxation, sore muscles, neuropathy: nerv·ine nur-veen, -vahyn –adj of or pertaining to the nerves. acting on or relieving disorders of the nerves; soothing the nerves. –n a nervine medicine. QUICK-MAKE BATH BAG Use an old handkerchief or piece of thin cotton fabric, six to eight inches square. Place a fourth cup of dried lavender blooms in the center, gather the corners together and secure the bundle with a piece of twelve-inch ribbon, tie it in a knot. Tie the very ends of the ribbon together in bow or knot, to form a loop by which to hang the bag. Slip this over the bathtub faucet positioned so the water will run through it as the tub fills. It may be used for several baths, the lavender should then be replaced. (Or use essential oil: Place 20 drops of lavender in a warm bath and relax.) For Insomnia, stress, relaxation: PILLOW APPLICATION To help reduce problems with insomnia, simply apply one drop of lavender essential oil to the edge of a pillowcase. Take deep breaths, and relax from your toes all the way to your head, focusing on all the major body parts along the way. Eventually, your body will become "trained" to the effects of the essential oil - usually within a week or two -- and you will notice a significantly faster reaction with continued use. INHALATION 5-10 drops may also be used in a vaporizer for inhalation. If a bathtub or vaporizer isn't available, simply apply 3 drops to a cotton ball and inhale as needed. If you face a stressful daily commute, car diffusers work wonders: place 5 drops of lavender essential oil onto the pad and plug the unit into your cigarette lighter. 2)Medicinal Use #1 WOUND CARE antiseptic an·ti·sep·tic an-tuh-sep-tik –adj pertaining to or affecting antisepsis. –n. an antiseptic agent kills microorganisms and germs. 3)Medicinal Use #2 MUSCLE SPASM/MASSAGE spasmolytic spas·mo·lyt·ic (spzm-ltk) adj. Relieving or preventing spasms, especially of smooth muscle. n. An antispasmodic agent. 4)Medicinal Use #3 TEA FOR INTESTINAL GAS carminative car·min·a·tive (kär-mn-tv, kärm-n-) adj. Inducing the expulsion of gas from the stomach and intestines. n. A drug or agent that induces the expulsion of gas from the stomach or intestines. 1 teaspoon flowers to one pint of just barely boiling water. Steep 5 minutes Drink 1 cup Fart and burp as necessary. (May cause drowsiness) (The essential oil, or a spirit of Lavender made from it, proves admirably restorative and tonic against faintness, palpitations of a nervous sort, weak giddiness, spasms and colic. It is agreeable to the taste and smell, provokes appetite, raises the spirits and dispels flatulence. The dose is from 1 to 4 drops on a sugar cube or in a spoonful or two of milk. 5)Medicinal Use #4 STRESS/SLEEPLESSNESS calmative calm·a·tive (käm-tv, klm-) adj. Having relaxing or pacifying properties; sedative. n. A sedative. 1 teaspoon flowers to one pint of not quite boiling water. Steep 5 minutes Drink 1 cup. Wait 20 minutes. If still not relaxed and/or sleepy, drink 2nd cup. 6)Medicinal Use #5 LEUCCORROEAH antiseptic an·ti·sep·tic an-tuh-sep-tik –adj pertaining to or affecting antisepsis. –n. an antiseptic agent kills microorganisms and germs. This infusion is better made with the essential oil than the flowers. If you choose to use flowers, please strain well to be sure no organic material is left behind. 1/2 cup steeped for 10-15 minutes in 1 pint just boiling water. Cover and allow to cool. Strain WELL! 6- 10 drops lavender essential oil in lukewarm water. Douche daily for 3-5 days. or, vor you vinegar douche gals: Lavender Vinegar. A refreshing toilet preparation is made by mixing 6 parts of Rosewater, 1 part of spirits of Lavender and 2 parts of Orleans vinegar. 7)Medicinal Use #6 INSECT STINGS/BITES analgesic anti-inflammatory Place one drop of lavender essential oil directly onto insect bites or bee stings. Lavender's anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling, its analgesic properties reduce pain and itch, and its healing properties encourage tissue repair. Frequently, you'll hardly notice the bite at all if you apply the oil immediately after being bit or stung. 8)HOUSEHOLD Use #1 DISENFECTANT antiseptic an·ti·sep·tic an-tuh-sep-tik –adj pertaining to or affecting antisepsis. –n. an antiseptic agent kills microorganisms and germs. Lavender has superb antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, making it a great household disinfectant. For cleaning sinks, tubs, or toilets, sprinkle baking soda and 3-5 drops of lavender essential oil onto a sponge and scrub away. After you're finished scrubbing, rinse the area well. For washing floors, countertops, etc., simply add 60 drops of essential oil to a bucket of warm water, and wipe or mop as needed. 9)CULINARY #1 LAVENDER COOKIES These cookies are probably better classified as shortbread. 1 cup butter 2 cups sugar 1 egg, beaten 1 Tbsp. dried lavender flowers 1 cup self-rising flour Cream butter and sugar; add egg. Mix in lavender and flour. Place small heaps on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes or till golden brown in color. 10)CULINARY #2 ASPARAGUS WITH LAVENDER & PINE NUTS and Mozzarella Balls (This one's for you, Doug!) Lemon brings out the flavor of the asparagus, and the pine nuts add elegance to this simple side. 2 pounds Pencil thin asparagus (unless you grow it at home, like me, then it can be as thick as your thumb and still be tender) 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon crushed hot pepper flakes 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup pine nuts 1 teaspoon dried culinary 'Provence' lavender buds, finely ground in spice grinder (an old coffee grinder is what I use) 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 pound bocconcini mozzarella balls, quartered 1 tablespoon lemon zest 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice Trim asparagus ends and peel up stalk a but if needed to make more tender. (Like if you buy your asparagus anywhere but an organic co-op, or trader joes or local organic farmer. Also wash it in GSE if you don't buy organic) Cook in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain carefully and cover in cold water to stop the cooking. Drain and pat dry with paper towels. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pepper flakes and garlic; stir for 1 minute. Add the pine nuts; saute for a few minutes just until nuts begin to color. Add the asparagus and lavender; saute for about 3 minutes, until just heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a platter and top with mozzarella; allow heat from the asparagus to melt the mozzarella balls slightly. Sprinkle with lemon zest and drizzle with lemon jiuce 11)HOUSEHOLD Use # SACHET Use an old handkerchief or piece of thin cotton fabric, six to eight inches square. Place a fourth cup of dried lavender blooms in the center, gather the corners together and secure the bundle with a piece of twelve-inch ribbon, tie it in a knot. Tie the very ends of the ribbon together in bow or knot, place it in your dresser drawer. It's especially nice with winter sweaters that wont be coming out again for the summer, or for your lingeree drawer. Replace when scent is gone or recharge with a couple of drops of lavender essential oil as needed. 12)Take a Trip to Sequim Washington for the LAVENDER FESTIVAL 13)GET A TATTOO BY THORNE *references from my library, personal notes and uses. Some stuff snagged from MORE HIP THAN HIPPY and Botanical.com Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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