IN SEASON: LAVENDER

 Growing conditions: Lavender, a member of the Lamiaceae family, grows best in very sunny areas (the plant prefers about 8 hours of sunlight per day) and in alkaline soil that is low in organic matter and drains well. It doesn’t require much moisture to grow and can become easily overwhelmed by excess moisture. Newly planted lavender should be watered 1-2 times per week, while mature plants should be watered only once every 2-3 weeks. A lavender plant can grow up to 24 inches high. Do not prone it in fall or in spring. Dry branches will turn green when weather improves in spring. It takes few weeks for all the leaves to come back on the plant. Lavender starts flowering at the end of May or beginning of June, depending on weather temperature.

You can also cook with lavender (for more info go to whatscookingamerica.net/Lavender.htm) or use it as therapeutic oil. Essential oil is taken from the flowers of the lavender plant and is commonly used in massage therapy, acupuncture and inhalation therapy for treating anxiety and depression. Lavender oil may also have antibacterial and antiviral properties and has been used to treat skin conditions such as eczema, acne and fungal infections.

I have a physically challenged dog, who at the age of 8 developed calluses on her front legs because she had to use her elbows to get up. During spring and summer those calluses were constantly getting infected, and she was on antibiotic a lot. When I got involved in aromatherapy I started using lavender oil on her elbows. Ever since she has had no infection. Also, due to neurological problems in her brain, her back legs were getting in spasms and were moving uncontrollably. Lavender oil application dramatically improved that condition.

Some people might be allergic to lavender, therefore, test is recommended before you purchase the oil. Make sure that you use only high quality, preferably organic lavender oil, grown without pesticides and not genetically modified. These two factors are very important, since essential oils are very quickly absorbed through the skin and through the blood vessels.

Enjoy healing power of nature!

Sources:

PALEO magazine June/July 2013

plus my own knowledge about aromatherapy