There’s something about lavender that draws people in. So much so, that lavender symbolism and its enthralling powers have been affecting people for more than 2,500 years. So what is it about lavender that’s so appealing? There’s certainly no denying its captivating beauty or its tranquil scent, but is there more to lavender?
Lavender is actually much more than just a pretty face. The health benefits of this captivating bloom run deep. Also, did you know that lavender is part of the mint family? It’s true; lavandula angustifolia, which we typically recognize as lavender, is a form of the mint plant and most commonly grows in Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean, and parts of Asia.
As with the meanings behind other flowers, lavender symbolism is diverse. Depending on the source you consult, lavender symbolism is based around grace, devotion, purity, silence, caution, serenity, and not surprisingly…calmness.
So if you’ve ever been intrigued by lavender—meaning there’s something to it and you just can’t look away—read on to discover all the secrets it’s hiding in those charming little purple florets.
Its Calming Effects are Legendary
Even if you know very little about lavender, you likely know that its scent has a calming effect. In recent years, lavender has become a common addition to products meant to soothe and pacify. You’ll see it in everything from hand cream to baby body wash, and even herbal tea.
So, how does this multitasking herb work? It’s all in the antioxidant power of lavender, meaning that the plant influences the endocrine system to lower the body’s stress hormones. Even if you’re not into buying fancy lavender infused products, you can simply rub some lavender between your fingers and then massage onto your temples for an anxiety lowering, calming effect.
It Helps You Drift Off
If you have trouble getting to sleep, lavender may be the answer. Many studies have shown that the smell of lavender helps people fall asleep and promotes more refreshing sleep. In a study by Wesleyan University, participants sniffed lavender oil one night (for four two-minute periods) just prior to bedtime. The next night they sniffed distilled water instead. On both nights researchers monitored the participants’ sleep cycles using brain scans, and the scans showed that the test subjects slept more soundly and woke up more refreshed on the night that they smelled the lavender essential oil.
Another study by the University of Southampton in England had subjects sleep in either a room with a lavender oil diffuser or one with a sweet almond oil diffuser for one week. The next week they switched. Once the two weeks of tests concluded, participants were asked to rank the quality of their sleep. On average, they ranked the lavender infused room 20 percent higher for sleep quality than the sweet almond scented room.
It Reduces Skin Irritation
Skin can become inflamed for a number of reasons and lavender is helpful in many of these cases. If you have trouble with breakouts, applying lavender oil helps to block the bacteria that causes acne. It also aids in preventing the over-excretion of sebum and promotes healing when flare-ups do occur. Bug bites can be soothed by lavender oil too, as it’s a natural anti-inflammatory. Even better, you can use lavender to prevent bug bites in the first place. Most people don’t know the essential oil repels many kinds of insects.
It Soothes Your Belly
Yes, all those posh Victorian era ladies were onto something. It turns out that lavender not only lends an air of sophistication to food, but it also relieves bloating and indigestion. If you have too much bad bacteria in your gut it can result in stomach discomfort. Luckily, the polyphenols in lavender work to lessen the bad bacteria. To really improve the good bacteria in your gut, here’s a recipe for homemade lavender kombucha.
It Enhances Your Garden
Lavender is an absolutely stunning addition to a garden. Between the color, the scent, and the health benefits, it certainly makes a worthwhile choice. That said, there is a definite learning curve to growing the herb. If you choose to grow lavender be sure to research such things as, “how much water does lavender need” and “ what type of climate does lavender thrive in”.
“How much water does lavender need” is an important question because areas the plant is native to get substantially less annual rainfall than a lot of North America gets. These areas also have quite different temperatures. Before purchasing and planting lavender in your garden, be sure to look for a variety of lavender that works well in your climate.
Now that we’ve covered such topics as ‘lavender meaning’, ’lavender symbolism’, ‘the health benefits of lavender’, and ‘how much water does lavender need’, you may think you know everything there is to know about the plant. Amazingly, this is still just the tip of the iceberg. Lavender has many more uses including wound healing, hair care, heart health, pain relief, respiratory health, and much more.
Of course, sometimes you just want to appreciate flowers for their beauty and captivating scent, instead of patiently waiting for them to grow in your garden. In that case, the Bouqs Company has you covered. We deliver ultra-fresh, artisan crafted flowers that are cut-to-order, so there’s no waste—happiness guaranteed!
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