Tuesday, April 6, 2010

The Healing of Lavender

Remember your grandmother (or your mother!) keeping lavender sachets in her lingerie drawers?

I used to have a hard time keeping a straight face watching my grandmother place delicate lavender sachets so carefully between the rows of knickers and bras. Maybe it was an "English thing"?

When I lived in England, masses of lavender grew in my front garden and my daughter and I often cut the stems and placed the fresh lavender in small vases. The house smelled so lovely!

I actually began using lavender when I was suffering terribly with migraines because I found that it made an excellent tonic, not only for the treatment of migraines, but in reducing emotional stress and tension. It has a calming scent.

"Lavender" comes from the Latin word "Lavare" which means to wash (Think of the French verb "laver".) as its aroma fills a room with a clean scent.

I love lavender and have little pots scattered around my house in which I burn several drops of the essence of lavender, mixed with a little water, in tiny "fusion pots". After a rough day, or a good yoga class in which every one of my muscles has been stretched, I luxuriate in the aroma of lavender. I sleep like a log and wake up feeling refreshed.

I wish my grandmother was still with us so that I could tell her that she was right and I was wrong, but I'm sure she already knows that.

Thank you Nana. I'll miss you forever.




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