Exploring The Uses of the “lavender plant” and Health Risks

1: About lavender plant

Lavender is a perennial flowering plant from the mint family. It is mainly found in drier and warmer regions such as the mainland of Eurasia.

Lavender is found in various parts of the world, including coastal areas of north america, south asia, middle east, eastern and Southern Africa, and the Mediterranean coastline. 

This plant is cultivated mostly in temperature climates for ornamental purposes for garden and landscape uses , also used as herbs. Lavender is commercially being used for essential oil excretion. Not just that lavender is also used as traditional medicine and as a key ingredient in cosmetics. 

There are varieties in the shape of leaves. You may find simple leaves in some commonly cultivated species, whereas, in others, you may see toothed, dissected, and multiple pinneate. But usually, in most species, leaves look like they are covered in fine hair-like structure. 

In addition, the flowers of the lavender plant are usually spirals that rise above the foliage. They are a variety of colors, such as violet and blue, and occasionally yellowish or blackish purple.

Lavender is the common name of Lavandula, and it has three minor categories that range below the genus Lavandula. 

These are:

• Subgenus Lavendula—This subgenus has woody stems or shrubs covered entirely with leaves. It is grown for oils and as ornamental plants and is found in Mediterranean areas of western Arabia and northeast Africa. 

• Fabricia – Mainly consists of ferns and flora(shrubs and herbs). Widely distributed to the parts of India and the Atlantic. Contains ornamental plants.

• Sabaudia –  It is unique from others in some way that is why these are placed in their own genus. Commonly found in eritrea and southwest arabian peninsula. 

2: Uses of lavender plant in everyday life

Considering the immense benefit of lavender in diverse aspects of life . This plant is commercially produced for different purposes. Which includes:

Lavender oil  

• English lavender has a sweet overtone and yields oils that are widely used in balms, cosmetics , perfumes, salves, and topical applications. 

• Dutch lavender is widely cultivated because it is easy to harvest and the flower of dutch lavender is quite big from the english lavender. However, Dutch lavender also yields essential oil similar to English lavender, but has a high amount of terpenes with camphor. 

• The presence of terpenes with camphor produces a sharp overtone in fragrance, which lowers the quality of the oil compared to the English lavender essential oil. 

• According to the US Food and Drug Administration, lavender is considered safe for human consumption. These oils have been found used earlier in World War 1 in hospitals. 

Culinary

• Culinary lavender has a sweet aroma with lemon and citrus notes. It is commonly used for cooking purposes. Culinary lavender is basically English lavender. The buds and green parts are used in teas. 

• If you have heard of or used monofloral honey, then you might know, or maybe not, but the buds are the vital ingredient of monofloral honey, which is processed by bees. 

Buds

• Buds are also called flowers. Dried buds are usually used in cooking applications. The flavor of lavender green is not quite noticed, but it is very strong compared to rosemary. 

• The potency of the dried lavender flower is greater than that of the fresh lavender flower. The flavor of the dried lavender flower increases with time, so chefs usually avoid using it in greater amounts to prevent the aftertaste, which tastes heavy and soapy. 

• Lavender buds are generally used To provide sweet and savory taste in dishes , it is sometimes combined with goat or sheep milk cheese. In addition, it is occasionally mixed with black, green  or herbal teas. 

• People love to have goods and desserts baked in lavender flavor, this goes well if paired with the chocolate. In the United States, dish lovers usually like to eat marshmallows and scones which have a lavender taste, they use lavender syrup and dried lavender flowers for this purpose. 

• Lavender can also be used in some items, such as sugar. To transfer the fragrance of lavender to sugar, they put the lavender flower into the sugar for two or three weeks to allow the fragrance and essential oil to transfer into the sugar. Then, they use this sugar in different sweet dishes to provide a rich lavender taste to the dish.

• There are other ways to use lavender, such as in a glass of champagne or bread, desserts, baked goods, decorating dishes, and savory recipes. It is also used to provide scent to custard, sorbets, and flans. 

In Honey

• The flowers of the lavender plant produce lots of nectar, which benefits the bees and allows them to produce high-quality honey. Monofloral honey is widely recognized as a premium product worldwide and is produced around the Mediterranean Sea. 

• The flowers of the lavender plant are dried and stored in cans and can be used later as cake decorations and also to make lavender sugar. 

Herbalism

According to the German Scientific Committee on Traditional Medicine, Lavender flowers are useful for those who have problems related to sleep and some other disorders, including insomnia, intestinal discomfort, roemheld syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases. 

Also Read: The Most Popular (hoya plant types): Growing and Caring Tips

3: The potential health risks of the lavender plant in different forms

• As per the report issued by The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health – The use of lavender in food is considered safe , but if it is used for topical purposes then it may cause some allergic reaction to some people. 

The NCCIH also adds that we should not use lavender during pregnancy. Many people use it without knowing its effect during that time. It is strictly suggested that before doing such a thing, it is very important to know about the advantages or disadvantages of lavender. 

• It is not recommended to use lavender oil for young teens, because of its possible side effects of hormonal changes, which leads to gynecomastia. 

• Other side effects of lavender oil on the skin may cause contact dermatitis, facial dermatitis, and allergic eczema. 

In Conclusion

Now you know the benefits of using lavender flowers, plants, and greens in different ways , but considering its side effects , it is essential to be aware of your body and health conditions. If you are allergic to anything or in any kind then it is necessary to consult your physician before using these products. 

Or if you unknowingly use any of its products then see the signs if you are having any discomfort or any allergic condition. If you don’t face such issues then you are good to use lavender in different forms. 

I hope the information provided is useful to you. If you have any query then please comment down and let me know , so that i will be able to give you the right answers to your questions. Also, give your feedback on this article ,what you think about it. 😊