Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia )
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Folk Names: Elf Leaf, Nard, Nardus and Spike
Parts Used: Flowers
Lavender is one of 39 species in the mint family. Lavandula angustifolia (commonly Lavender) is the most widely cultivated species that is a low growing shrub with multiple stems and spikes of beautiful purple flowers.
Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region, Northern and Eastern Africa and parts of India, although it is grown in many other places around the world and prefers dry and sunny climates for optimal growth.
History of Lavender
The scent of Lavender has been used for thousands of years. The essential oil of Lavender was used in hospitals during World War I and Roman soldiers would use wild lavender to add a sweet scent to their bathwater and when washing their clothing. In Spain and Portugal lavender was used on the floor of churches and burned in bonfires on St. John’s Day to avert evil spirits.
Culinary Uses of Lavender
Lavender adds a floral and slightly sweet flavour to dishes and is commonly used as a condiment in salads and dressings. Bees make a high quality honey from the nectar found in lavender flowers, this mono-floral honey is a premium product marketed worldwide.
Lavender flowers are the only part of the plant to contain the essential oil which the scent and flavour are derived from. Lavender flowers are used to flavour baked goods and desserts and also to make lavender sugar.
Magickal Uses of Lavender
To attract love store lavender with your clothing to infuse the scent into your garments, add to a mojo bag and carry with you or hang a stalk of lavender around the home. It can also be added to love spells and is said to be particularly useful to attract men. When mixed with rosemary it is said to preserve one’s chastity.
Lavender is well known for it’s calming properties. To get a good night sleep add lavender to your pillow or burn the flowers and then use the ashes to spread around the house to bring peace and harmony. Lavender’s calming and protective properties can be combined into a mojo bag or pillow for people who suffer from nightmares.
Lavender is a great herb for use when meditating as it helps you to relax, open your mind and free yourself. The mind and body can be calmed by drinking a tea infusion or tincture made from the essential oil.
Lavender is a protective herb that helps ward off negative energies. It is said that wearing a sprig of Lavender on your shirt will ward off the evil eye and can also be used in a purifying bath or smudging ritual to clear negative energies.
Use lavender to heighten your psychic senses. When used with amethyst it may help magnify your psychic abilities.
Smell lavender as often as possible as it is said to be conductive of long life.
Medicinal Uses of Lavender
It is used extensively in aromatherapy and oil that contains high levels of linalool and linalyl acetate is used to help alleviate anxiety, nervousness and sleep disturbances such as insomnia.
As a herbal remedy lavender is also used to help with the physical symptoms of migraines and tension headaches. Drinking an infusion of lavender in a tea induces sweating helping to reduce fevers and as a diuretic it helps eliminate toxins through the urine.
Lavender has also been used as a remedy to disinfect cuts, wounds, sores and ulcers. It stimulates the tissue repair process of the body minimizing scar formation and when diluted is often used to treat disorders such as eczema, acne and varicose ulcers.
Other Uses of Lavender
Lavender deters fleas and moths, simply place satchels of lavender in your cupboard, draws, or pet bedding.
Warnings
Lavender is traditionally regarded as safe but the oil is especially potent and may cause contact dermatitis in some people.
We have listed known warnings about this plant. These warnings are a guide only and although some magical herbs are safe in small quantities they can be poisonous in large doses or if used incorrectly. If you are not experienced in herbs the rule to stick by is “when in doubt….don’t risk it”.
You can find lavender and other sacred herbs available for sale at our website https://thesacredwillow.com.au/
Disclaimer: This site is for informative purposes only and its content should not be considered professional advice. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy it is no replacement for the attention of a dedicated professional. The Sacred Willow and it;s proprietors cannot be held responsible for any damage and/or injury suffered resulting from actions and/or decisions based on information found on the site. Please do not self diagnose any condition regarding your own or another’s health. Always seek professional advice or arrange a consultation.
Some of the information provided on this Witchcraft Blog are based on myth, folklore and tradition and may suggest some supernatural or medicinal powers, however we make no claims as to their medical, magickal, psychic or esoteric properties and are sold as curios only.
References: “Wikipedia.org”.Lavandular. Retrieved 25/05/2016, “Herbs2000.com”. Lavender. Retrieved 25/05/2016, “witchipedia.com”.Lavender. Retrieved 25/05/2016, Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (October 1985). Print.
