The Essence of Lavender
An odoriferous rouse
this wee purple flower.
It’s variation of use,
it’s extraordinary power.
Ice cream, lemonade, perfume, soap for hands and knee-
vinegar for cooking, relief from a sun burns tear-
medicinal aromatic oils and calming fragrant tea.
Oh, sweet lavender, I’m so glad you’re near,
along with the mountains and sea I hold dear.
-p.o.martig
The Sequim Lavender Festival
Every year in July, the small city of Sequim, Washington, often heralded as ” the Lavender Capital of North America” holds its annual Lavender Festival for three glorious days, attracting upwards of 80,00 visitors.
It is an exciting and family friendly event. Growers from the area show off their wares with farm tours and gift shops. There is a Tour de Lavender event in August attracting both family and experienced cyclists from the area to enjoy a relaxing ride to the lavender farms throughout the Sequim-Dungeness Valley or the more advanced metric century plus for those wishing pure cycling and less fanfare paths.
The Sequim Lavender Farmers Association welcomes everyone to experience the beauty and scent of lavender all year long. Many of the farms and farm stores are open daily for you to explore. During the three day festival each farm has special events planned for its guests laced with olfactory delights.
The farms that are among my favorites are the Jardin du Soleil Lavender Farm, Lost Mountain Lavender Farm, Olympic Lavender Heritage Farm, Purple Haze Lavender Farm, Cedarbrook Lavender & Herb Farm, The Washington Lavender Farm and Nelson’s Duck Pond & Lavender Farm. Maps are free and the tours are charged a minimal fee to help support the event for future years.
Needless to say this beautiful little lavender grows favorably here and in my garden. The medicinal oils and fresh aromatic fragrance is spell binding. When in season I always have plenty to freshen up the house and linen drawers. I do not make any products but they are plentiful everywhere in the area to purchase. My favorites are the hand soaps and oil.
Did you that?
1. Lavender should be planted in the springtime.
2. Lavender loves lots of sunshine and never wet roots.
3. Lavender’s name comes from the word lavare which means “to wash”.
4. Lavender in old England was planted near the laundry door to keep the fabrics fresh smelling and to repel insects.
5. Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits which can heal small burns and nasty bug bites.
6. Lavender oil may be helpful for treating anxiety, depression and restlessness.
7. Lavender, in some studies, can help digestion issues such as upset stomach.
8. Lavender oil could be effective in fighting anti-fungal resistant infections.
9. Lavender essential oil can be mixed with vodka to make linen spray for your sleeping pillow, feet, face body or air. (Now that’s something different!)
10. Lavender, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Data Base, may be an effective treatment for alopecia areata (which I have had for over thirty years). And that lavender can promote hair growth after 7 months of treatment.
11. Lavender is used in honey, ice cream, sugar, coffee, tea, salad dressings, cookies, pancakes, and many other different and asunder ways. Please go to food.com or the Sequim Lavender Growers Association book “For the Love of Lavender” for some awesome recipes and more fun ways to use this busy little flower.
Lavender is my fragrant friend
[…] fragrant smelling lavender claims most of the same medicinal benefits. I think I would feel safer using […]