Lavender's Magical Bliss

Lavender's Magical Bliss

By DEBORAH SHARMA

From a pale pinkish tone of blush,
To a rich royal purple deeply lush,
Lavender wafts herbaceous floral,
Swaying in a whispering choral.

Purple haze meets morning dew,
Purging air, cleansing anew,
Purify in beckoning mist,
Sweep into an inspiring tryst.

Sublime herb delicately dipped,
tranquil teas to be subtly sipped,
Saturate with permeating lavender oils,
Subdue with sprays to lull through toils.

No need to wander afar and roam
Bring this magic into your home
let it caress and cradle into soft dream
released in the power of diffuser steam

Soften tight tension’s rigid ruling,
Submerge in oozing perfumed cooling
Plunge into seductive sedation,
Rest in a sliver of salvation,

Lather cleansing soaps and hydrating lotions,
Nourish thirsty skin with holistic potions
Ease into meditative connection
inhaling lavender nurtures reflection

Harness deep energy of indigo blues,
Dissolve into bliss of hypnotic hues,
Surrounded by a safe soothing shield,
Sinking into peace as you calmly yield.

 BY DEBORAH SHARMA 

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The color family of lavender encompasses a wide variety of shades and hues, from the pale, pinkish tone of lavender blush to the cold undertones of lavender grey.

The term lavender comes from the Latin lavare, meaning "to wash," reflecting the uses of the Romans (and ancient Greeks) to use lavender blossoms to scent baths, scent rooms, dress burns etc  .  The Egyptians used lavender for cosmetics and as part of their embalming rituals.

During the Plague, glove makers in France would scent gloves with lavender oil, which claimed to ward off the Plague since it was transmitted by fleas, and lavender is known to repel them (amongst other insects).

Lavender is a true adaptogen, and a universally healing herb. As an adaptogen, lavender works where it is needed to help balance your mind, body, and/or spirit.

Floral and herbaceous, lavender is loved for its whole body calming and balancing benefits. Helps to relieve acne symptoms, and soothe minor skin inflammation, insect bites, headaches and bruises.

The main lavender varieties used in cooking are English Lavender (lavandula angustifolias) and Provence Lavender (sometimes called lavandin). English Lavender is sweeter, and is used for cookies, jams and teas, while Provence Lavender is used in the savoury spice mixture herbs de Provence (frequently used in French cuisine).

Tri-Doshic Herb in Ayruveda, appropriate for balancing:

Lavender is considered to have benefits to all three doshas: vata, pitta and kapha. Lavender is considered to have a calming, cooling and soothing energy which will calm kapha and pitta doshas and stimulate the vata dosha. According to Ayurvedic teachings, lavender oil is particularly useful for:

• Enhancing prana, or the vital life force
• Nourishing hair and skin
• Calming the mind and relaxing the nerves

Lavender essential oil can be used in the Ayurvedic treatment Shirodhara, in which sesame oil is blended with essential oils, then dropped onto the forehead (and seat of the sixth chakra).

The Science of Lavender Oil

By 1910, French chemist and scholar René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered the healing virtues of lavender. In his book, Aromatherapie, he explains that after a laboratory experiment gone wrong that resulted in gangrenous sores on his hand, an application of lavender essential oil started healing the wounds right away.

Gattefossé’s discovery of the benefits of lavender oil and other essential oils lead to the use of lavender and other oils in military hospitals during World War I. Since then, lavender essential oil has continued to be used for its beautiful aroma, and its cleansing, healing, and relaxing properties.