Description
Lavandula stoechas
Also known as Spanish, French and Butterfly Lavender.
Lavender is an important relaxing herb, having a soothing and relaxing affect upon the nervous system. The flowering spikes can be dried and used internally in a tincture, though the extracted essential oil is more commonly used. The essential oil is much more gentle in its action than most other essential oils and can be safely applied direct to the skin as an antiseptic to help heal wounds, burns etc. An essential oil obtained from the flowers is antihalitosis, powerfully antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, cholagogue, diuretic, nervine, sedative, stimulant, stomachic and tonic. It is mainly used externally, for example rubbed into the temples to cure headaches, or added to bath water. Both flowers and leaves can also be made into a herbal tea. Leaves, petals and flowering tips can be used raw as a condiment in salads, soups, stews etc. The fresh flowers can also be crystallized or added to jams, ice-creams, vinegars etc as a flavouring. The flavour is very strong, so use sparingly.
Aromatic grey foliage with gorgeous pink to purple strongly scented flowers, which appear in late spring and early summer on 2 cm long spikes at the top of slender, leafless stems 10–30 cm long. We find that when this is in flower the bees prefer it over the Lavender dentata, but it has a much shorter flowering season. It does best in Mediterranean climates similar to its native habitat, characterised by wet winters and dry summers. Sandy soil preferred but does fine on clay as long as it is well drained. Full sun. Frost hardy to -10. Fire resistant species. Spread 70cm x height – 80cm – 100cm.
Certified organic plant.
