Spices & Medicinal herbs

HERBS	Angelica :: Aloe Vera :: Basil :: Chamomile :: Chives :: Coriander :: Dill :: Lemon Balm :: Musli :: Oregano :: Stevia
SPICES	Ajwain :: Allspice :: Bay Leaf :: Black Cardamon :: Green Cardamon :: Cinnamon :: Cloves :: Cumin :: Cayenne Pepper
VEGETABLES	Amaranth :: Breadfruit :: Brocolli :: Cauliflower :: Cucumber :: Drumstick :: Hijiki :: Garlic

Herbs Classifical of Herbs Herbs by Common Name Herbs by Property List of Herbs Alfalfa Allspice Aloe Vera Angelica Anise Annatto Arugula Agrimony Apple mint Asafoetida Avens Barberry Basil Bistort Boneset Bog Labrador Tea Borage Boldo Candle nut Capsicum Coriander Caraway Calamus Chamomile Chickweed Chives Cleavers Dill Echinacea Flax Fennel Lavender Kali Musli Lemon Balm Musli Oregano Stevia Spices Vegetables

Herb : Lavender

(Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia

Classification

• Kingdom : Lavender
• Unranked : Angiosperms
• Unranked : Eudicots
• Unranked : Asterids
• Order : Lamiales
• Family : Lamiaceae
• Genus : Lavandula

Lavenders are a genus of 39 species, from lamiaceae mint family. The genus of lavender includes herbaceous, annuals, shrubs and subshrub.

History

Lavender is a sweet smelling herb with an aromatic taste. It has various culinary and medicinal uses.

It is cultivated generally in gardens world wide, they are also found growing wild in garden areas as an escapees.

Lavender is been used since a long time back, as Romans used this scented flower during bathe for refreshing skin.

Lavender is one of the holy herbs used in the biblical temple to prepare holy essence.

Plant Description

It is native to the Mediterranean region south to tropical Africa and to the southeast regions of India.

It is a small shrub with gray downy linear leaves with light blue to violet color flowers.

There are various species of lavender but usually the most used species are- angustifolia is being most popular and latifolia is hardy specie and often planted.

It is a short shrub which grows to a height of 60 cm and has broad rootstock, which bears woody branches with erect, rod like leafy green shoots.

The flowers are arranged in spirals of 6-10 blossoms forming interrupted spikes.

Cultivation

Its range is widely spread across the canary island, north and east Africa, south Europe and the Mediterranean, Arabia and India.

It grows best in the areas with full sunlight and prefers light sandy soil.

It tolerates slightly acidic ph balance of 6.4 to an alkaline of 8.2 ph.

Parts Used

Fresh flowers and essential oils are used.

Constituents

Lavender contains linalyl acetate, linalool, trans-ocimene, limonene, camphor, 8-ceneole, and 3-octanone.

Culinary uses

• Lavender flower yields honey, which is primarily produced and used in the Mediterranean.
• Lavender leaves are used as essence in cakes, desserts, ice creams and other bakery products to add flavor.
• France chefs use lavender in various cuisines. Its sweet fragrance and aromatic taste gives an additional flavor to a dish.

Medicinal Uses

LemoLavender is considered for its medicinal properties. It is internally used for headaches, anxiety, indigestion, head ache and migraine.

It is mostly used externally to treat various ailments such as

• Burns, wounds, sunburns
• Muscular pains
• Insect bites
• Excessive vaginal discharge
• Cold sores

It is said to have analgesic effect which relieves body pain. It is also antiseptic and a good stimulant and can be easily apply on wounds and burns.

Lavender essential oils are extensively used in aromatherapy which helps to reduce stress level, head ache, relieves pain, depression, nervous exhaustion and insomnia.

Names

• English lavender
• L.officinalis