Lavender in Your Home: How to Use It in Practice

Mixed with baking soda and water, lavender oil is a good disinfectant. Use the solution thus obtained to clean the sinks, the toilet bowl, and the ceramic tiles on the walls. Dried lavender flowers can be used to prevent moths.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a plant in the Lamiaceae family that has been known to be used since ancient times.

Over 2,500 years ago, the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Arab peoples used lavender and lavender extracts to make perfumes and cosmetics, or even in the mummification process.

The Greeks and Romans added lavender flowers to the bathwater to perfume it and to purify their body and spirit. It is considered that from this custom comes the name of the plant - in Latin "Lavo" - "to wash".

Probably the first cultivators of lavender were the Arab peoples, through whom the plant reached Greece and gradually spread throughout Europe and, over time, throughout the world.

About 30 species of lavender are known, the most cultivated being Lavandula angustifolia. Lavender species are grown according to their end-use, so the same species are not grown for therapeutic uses and the cosmetics or detergent industry.

The plant with blue flowers and a special fragrance, lavender is known for its medicinal, gastronomic, and ornamental uses. It is part of the Labiatae family and blooms in summer, under the appearance of a bush. Due to its persistent scent, lavender is a basic ingredient in many medicinal and body care products and has been used in aromatic baths since ancient times.

The long-lived shrub is of Mediterranean origin and prefers arid, stony soils and, although it tolerates drought well, it is advisable to water it regularly; For these reasons, lavender is a plant that can be easily grown inside your home.

It is also preferable to place it in the sun, and during the winter, it will be considered to reduce the humidity. Lavender bushes have linear leaves and can reach a height of 60 cm.

This plant can be propagated by several methods, the first being that of seedlings, by sowing in cold layers.

Practical uses of lavender

The uses of this plant are very numerous. Lavender oils are in high demand and are also used in aromatherapy sessions. Added in a few drops, in body oils, will lead to velvety and fragrant skin.

Lavender oil, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, can also be used when you have a headache, rubbing your temples and forehead lightly with a few drops.

Other uses of this plant include a stuffy nose and burns. If you have a stuffy nose, add a few drops in a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam, and if you get burned, apply lavender oil directly on the burn. In the form of tea, lavender can be used for oral hygiene, successfully replacing mouthwash.

As for the house, it can be used not only as a decorative plant but also to perfume the rooms. In a spray container, mix some water and a few drops of lavender oil, and your home will get a pleasant smell. Mixed with baking soda and water, lavender oil is a good disinfectant. Use the solution thus obtained to clean the sinks, the toilet bowl, and the ceramic tiles on the walls.

Dried lavender flowers can be used to prevent moths and are also a good way to make your potpourri. Along with other products you have on hand, such as nuts, dried citrus slices, cinnamon sticks, anise, or other dried flowers, lavender flowers will not only give your home a pleasant scent but will invigorate it.

Last but not least, lavender should not be missing from your kitchen. Its leaves and flowers will give your food a special taste and smell, successfully replacing rosemary.