Lavandula (common name lavender) is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World and is found in Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, and from Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to India.
Where does lavender usually grow?
Lavenders thrive in the arid West, but are best grown as annuals or container plants in the South, as they do not thrive in areas of high humidity (with the exception of Lavandula dentata and L. stoechas). Most are hardy from Zones 5 to 9; Spanish Lavender (L. stoechas) is only hardy in Zones 7 to 9.
How is lavender obtained?
Lavender oil, or lavender flower oil, is obtained by distillation of the flowers and is used chiefly in fine perfumes and cosmetics. It is a colourless or yellow liquid, the fragrant constituents of which are linalyl acetate, linalool, pinene, limonene, geraniol, and cineole.
Where is lavender oil gotten from?
Lavender oil is an essential oil obtained by distillation from the flower spikes of certain species of lavender. There are over 400 types of lavender worldwide with different scents and qualities.
Where does the lavender seed come from?
Lavender seeds form inside the flowers and can be separated from the flower heads by shaking them gently after drying. Lavender seeds form inside the flowers and can be separated from the flower heads by shaking them gently after drying.
What is lavender good for?
Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to heal minor burns and bug bites. Research suggests that it may be useful for treating anxiety, insomnia, depression, and restlessness.
Is lavender toxic to dogs?
First of all, the ASPCA considers lavender to be toxic to dogs (as well as cats and horses). If ingested, the plant can cause nausea, vomiting, and inappetence. These symptoms can be traced to a single dangerous component known as linalool.
Can you eat lavender?
Both fresh and dried lavender can be added to both sweet and savory dishes for both flavor and its gorgeous color. Add the fresh herb to salads, lamb, teas and cocktails. It also works very well with citrus, fruits, and desserts like crème brulee.
How much does lavender cost?
You can pick your lavender or have it already picked for you. The price is the same at $25 per pound for English lavender ( $1.56 per ounce). There are about 450-600 stems per pound of fresh English lavender.
How much is lavender worth?
When it comes to growing lavender, what you get out is in proportion to the effort you’re willing to put in. In one acre, you can plant about 30 rows of 80 plants. You’ll get about $10,000 worth of fresh or dried lavender in an average year. A peak harvest will yield about $30,000 per acre.
Can I put lavender oil on my skin?
Lavender oil has many uses for treating the skin. It naturally reduces inflammation, lessens pain, and cleans the surface of the skin. You can use lavender oil on your face, legs, and hands. If you experience any side effects from using the oil, such as a skin rash, stop use and talk with a doctor.
Is lavender good for skin?
Lavender is probably the No 1 essential oil when it comes to healing skin conditions, burns and cuts. With its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial and detoxifying benefits, lavender essential oil can help reduce redness, soothe and calm the skin and rapidly heal minor cuts and scrapes, as well as any rashes.
Can lavender oil help you sleep?
Lavender essential oil is a proven, gentle way to fall into a relaxing sleep. It can be used in a variety of different ways, including putting a few drops on your temples or spraying it on your pillow as pillow mist. Lavandula Angustifolia is the best type of lavender oil to use to help you fall asleep. Sweet dreams!
Is lavender easy to grow?
Growing lavender is easy and rewarding. Lavender can be grown in garden beds or in pots. To grow lavender successfully it needs well-drained soil and full sun. In arid climates lavender grows well as a perennial, but in humid climates it is often grown as an annual.
How long does lavender take to grow?
Lavender may bloom its first year, but it takes three years for plants to mature. Then you will have plenty of blooms to harvest for various uses. Harvest spikes of mature plants as soon as they bloom. Cut just above the leaves.
Does lavender have any side effects?
Side effects might include constipation, diarrhea, and headache. When applied to the skin: Lavender is possibly safe. It’s usually well-tolerated, but can sometimes cause skin irritation. When inhaled: Lavender essential oil is possibly safe.
How does lavender make you feel?
Well known for its calming and sedative effects, lavender is a great tonic for your nerves and relieving emotionally stressful situations. It can calm your mind, ease your worries, totally lighten the mood and bring joy and happiness into your life again.
Does lavender actually calm you?
The science. Lavender is renowned for its ability to create a relaxing atmosphere. In fact, one of the main benefits of lavender is that it can calm without sedating . More than simply generating a serene state of mind, lavender can reduce anxiety by affecting the body’s fight-or-flight response.
Do fleas like lavender?
The scent of lavender oil naturally repels fleas and ticks, making it unlikely that any will burrow into your animal’s fur. It also prevents tick eggs from hatching, so if they did make it onto your dog’s skin, they would not be able to reproduce and would quickly die off.
Does lavender repel spiders?
Whether in plant form or as an essential oil, lavender (Lavandula, USDA plant hardiness zones 5-9) is a completely natural spider repellent useful for indoors or outdoors. Whip up your own homemade spider spray with lavender oil and water and then spray the oil in the areas you see the spiders most often.
Is lavender poisonous to humans?
Lavender oil is generally not poisonous in adults when breathed in during aromatherapy or swallowed in smaller amounts. It may cause a reaction in children who swallow small amounts. The major effects are due to allergic reactions of the skin.