The clean, relaxing smell of lavender is quite recognizable considering all the cleaning and bath products associated with the herb.
It’s no coincidence that lavender’s name comes from the latin “lavare” meaning “to wash”, but surely this isn’t something that someone would want to consume, right? Actually, lavender can be incorporated into salads, desserts, and many other culinary concoctions, and the best part is it has a variety of health benefits that come along with it!
Lavender is able to take a swing at your headaches!
Although this seems like a no-brainer to us in terms of lavenders applications in spas for centuries, there is actually something to lavender nutritionally beyond its sedative like aroma!
Lavender is an analgesic agent, this means that lavender contains compounds that act like a painkiller, but in a natural more enduring way than say an anesthetic which is much stronger as it completely cuts off feeling and is temporary.
Lavender is able to reduce your anxiety!
Funnily enough, the theme that lavender relaxes you holds strong as it actually is a mood-stabilizer with anti-depressant qualities! A study at the University of Florida, for example, found that lavender was able to lower the pulse of nursing students that were put into stressful examinations!
This could be due to a variety of reasons that contribute to headaches in the first place such as inflammation, tension, dehydration (lavender is often administered via a drink infused with its essential oil!), and stress.
Lavender essential oil is a great way to achieve the most out of lavender just be conservative!
An essential oil is a highly concentrated solution of the particular herb or ingredient in question. Therefore, lavender essential oil is a great way to know that you are getting “what you bargained for” so to speak in the health benefits department.
Below is a recipe for lavender lemonade, made with simple natural ingredients of course, and for the whole pitcher all you need is one single drop of lavender essential oil which can be purchased at your local market or health foods store!
Lavender Lemonade
Adapted from a recipe provided by gofitstayfit.com
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw honey
- 12 cups water
- 1 drop lavender essential oil
- The juice of 6 lemons
Supplies:
- 1 Pitcher or carafe
- 1 long stirring spoon
Directions:
- Combine all the ingredients in your pitcher or carafe, stir vigorously, and let sit for one hour.
- Chill in refrigerator and serve in glasses with ice with fresh mint as garnish if you’d like!
- Note: Feel free to add more honey or water to taste!
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