Scientific name:
Lavandula spp

Translation :
Lavender

Family :
Lamiaceae

Nature :
Sub-woody herb

Description :
Grass with a woody, short, branching stem. The stems, 20 to 50 cm, are branching.
from the base, are elongated and whitish. They bear opposite leaves,
hairy and whitish from a young age.
The flowers, a pretty blue, are grouped in a terminal spike.

Presence on the island:
Introduced, acclimatized.

Location :
In gardens, in town, in cemeteries.

Flowering period:
Hot season.

Parts used:
Flowers, essential oil (EO) in dried flowers.

Harvest period:
At the very beginning of their maturity, before the end of flowering.

Plantation:
By cuttings.

History
Lavandula officinalis is listed in the French pharmacopoeia, but is available over the counter.

Use :
An aromatic and medicinal plant.

Traditional uses:
- Against digestive problems (colic, colitis and bloating), for its pain-relieving, calming and antispasmodic properties. Internally (ingestion of HE on a piece of sugar, in a spoonful of honey or a yogurt).
- Against muscular pain (myalgia), for its pain-relieving properties. Internally (ingestion of HE on a piece of sugar, in a spoonful of honey or a yogurt).
- Against joint pain and rheumatism, for its pain-relieving properties. Internally (ingestion of EO on a piece of sugar, in a spoonful of honey or a yogurt or infusion of flowers) and externally (rubbing of EO mixed with alcohol).

Infusion: flowers infused in water.
- Against intestinal worms, through its vermifuge action. Internally (ingestion of HE on a piece of sugar, in a spoonful of honey or a yogurt).
- Against migraines, headaches, dizziness, for its calming and antispasmodic properties. Internally (flower infusion) and externally (HE massages associated with a carrier oil, on the neck and temples).
- Against anxiety, nervousness, insomnia and emotional problems (depression, melancholy, etc.). Internally (flower infusion) and externally (massages of essential oil combined with a carrier oil, on the neck and temples or drops poured onto the pillow).
- Against diphtheria, streptococci, pneumococci, for its antiseptic and antimicrobial actions.
- Against wounds, burns and skin problems, for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and healing actions. Externally (application of HE diluted in a carrier oil).
- As a venom neutralizer (insects and snakes), for its antitoxic and antipoison actions. Externally (rubbing with flowers).
- Against respiratory tract infections (bronchitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, flu cough, whooping cough, asthma, etc.), for its calming and antispasmodic properties. Internally (flower infusion).
- Against lice. Externally (rubbing of HE mixed with alcohol).
- Soothes menstrual pain and stimulates light menstruation, for its antispasmodic properties.

Contraindications:
For external use, always combine Lavender EO with a carrier oil.

Other uses:
Lavender is used in cosmetics, bath salts, deodorants. The essential oil is also effective against insects, ticks, mites, etc.
Traditionally, it is used to perfume and keep moths away from wardrobes, sheets and linens.

Infusion against joint pain: flowers infused in water.

- Image and content sources: book Plants and People