Lavender
-Lavandula angustifolia-
Lavender is an Old World herb that has been utilized cosmetically and therapeutically for centuries. The Egyptians used Lavender for mummification and as a perfume. In fact, when King Tutankhamun's tomb was opened in 1923, there was said to be a faint scent of lavender that could still be detected after 3,000 years.
The first written record of Lavender appeared in ancient Rome around 77 A.D. by Dioscorides, a Greek military physician under Roman Emperor Nero. He collected medicinal plants from the Mediterranean and recorded his findings in his book, De Materia Medica. He noted that Lavender can be used externally to clean wounds and burns or treat skin ailments. Observing these cleansing properties led to the name Lavender, from the Latin verb ‘lavare’, meaning ‘to wash’. Eventually, Lavender gained popularity amongst the Roman soldiers who brought Lavender on their campaigns to dress war wounds and fumigate sick rooms.
The first written record of Lavender appeared in ancient Rome around 77 A.D. by Dioscorides, a Greek military physician under Roman Emperor Nero. He collected medicinal plants from the Mediterranean and recorded his findings in his book, De Materia Medica. He noted that Lavender can be used externally to clean wounds and burns or treat skin ailments. Observing these cleansing properties led to the name Lavender, from the Latin verb ‘lavare’, meaning ‘to wash’. Eventually, Lavender gained popularity amongst the Roman soldiers who brought Lavender on their campaigns to dress war wounds and fumigate sick rooms.
Lavender Products
View details for full product descriptions and prices.
Lavender Essential Oil is steam-distilled from wild-harvested Lavender plants making it pesticide free and safe for both internal and external use.
Lavender Spagyric includes all three principles of the plant - essence, fermented spirit, and alkaline salts.
Lavender dried flowers are used for tea, baking, smoking, and incense.
*Please Note: With a growing demand for our artisanal products, everything on the Kymia Arts website is now made-to-order and thus carries an estimated shipping time of 1-3 months. Great care, attention, and time is involved in the hand-crafting of our offerings, and we will never sacrifice quality in exchange for expedience. Please be assured that we strive to send orders out as quickly as the process allows. Thank you for your support and patience in upholding the expression of Kymia Arts.
Plant Profile:
Lavandula angustifolia, commonly known as English Lavender, is a hardy perennial native to the Mediterranean. It is a spiky blue-green shrub with clusters of bright purple flowers atop rigid, straight spikes. The leaves are small, narrow, and blade-shaped with some species lobed growing 1-2 ft tall to 2-3 ft wide. Today there are over 30 different species of Lavender with more than 300 cultivars that can be found all over the world - from Europe, across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia, China, to southeast Asia.
Lavender thrives in Mediterranean conditions of full sun, loamy quick-draining soil, and regular precipitation. Lavender does not need fertilization and prefers to be left alone. It does enjoy deep watering but is extremely sensitive to root rot so it is imperative that it be kept in quick-draining soil. Ideally, Lavender should be harvested when the buds are just starting to open between the months of June and August. If you harvest the flowers when the buds are fully open, the medicinal properties won’t be as strong and won’t last as long.
Lavender is a great addition to any garden or orchard because it naturally repels moths, slugs, and deer while attracting beneficial pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Lavender planted next to fruit trees can deter moths and when planted in a garden can prevent slugs from invading the plot.
Lavandula angustifolia, commonly known as English Lavender, is a hardy perennial native to the Mediterranean. It is a spiky blue-green shrub with clusters of bright purple flowers atop rigid, straight spikes. The leaves are small, narrow, and blade-shaped with some species lobed growing 1-2 ft tall to 2-3 ft wide. Today there are over 30 different species of Lavender with more than 300 cultivars that can be found all over the world - from Europe, across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia, China, to southeast Asia.
Lavender thrives in Mediterranean conditions of full sun, loamy quick-draining soil, and regular precipitation. Lavender does not need fertilization and prefers to be left alone. It does enjoy deep watering but is extremely sensitive to root rot so it is imperative that it be kept in quick-draining soil. Ideally, Lavender should be harvested when the buds are just starting to open between the months of June and August. If you harvest the flowers when the buds are fully open, the medicinal properties won’t be as strong and won’t last as long.
Lavender is a great addition to any garden or orchard because it naturally repels moths, slugs, and deer while attracting beneficial pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Lavender planted next to fruit trees can deter moths and when planted in a garden can prevent slugs from invading the plot.
Therapeutic Profile:
If there is one essential oil to always carry, let it be Lavender. Lavender essential oil often referred to as “First Aid in a bottle,” is a truly versatile remedy. It is the most used essential oil in the world, treating a wide array of physical ailments and makes a positive difference in the mind and its emotions. Its analgesic, antiseptic, sedative and antidepressant properties are what have earned Lavender its fame. It would be difficult to distill all of Lavender’s abilities to just one page, so I’ll focus on it’s most common uses - treating matters of the nervous system, local pain, and the skin.
If there is one essential oil to always carry, let it be Lavender. Lavender essential oil often referred to as “First Aid in a bottle,” is a truly versatile remedy. It is the most used essential oil in the world, treating a wide array of physical ailments and makes a positive difference in the mind and its emotions. Its analgesic, antiseptic, sedative and antidepressant properties are what have earned Lavender its fame. It would be difficult to distill all of Lavender’s abilities to just one page, so I’ll focus on it’s most common uses - treating matters of the nervous system, local pain, and the skin.
Nervous System:
Lavender acts as a sedative and antidepressant, making it an excellent remedy for people with anxiety, stress, sleep disorders, and depression. It replaces GABA as a neurotransmitter (see Fly Agaric for similar effects) resulting in a calming and toning effect on the nervous system.
The relaxing properties of Lavender can be attributed to its two primary constituents, linalool and linalyl acetate - compromising 71% of the total oil composition. Linalool acts as a sedative relaxing the nervous system and reducing stress while linalyl acetate is an antidepressant, anxiolytic (anxiety inhibitor), and acts as a cognitive booster. Together, these two compounds create the state of clarifying tranquility attained when communing with the oil.
In 2013, a study published by the International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice found that ingesting 80-milligram capsules of lavender essential oil alleviates anxiety, sleep disturbance, and depression. Additionally, in the study, there were no adverse side effects, drug interactions or withdrawal symptoms from using lavender oil.
Treatment: The best way to utilize Lavender for the nervous system is to use the essence externally and the Spagyric internally. Lavender essential oil is especially effective in acute conditions (anxiety attacks, depressive episodes) because essences traverse cell membranes easily, resulting in relief within 19 minutes.
External Use:
Rub a few drops of essential oil between the palms of the hands, cup the face, and breathe. To relieve tension in the whole body at once, rub on the nape of the neck, the soles of the feet, and the temples. Combine with Rosemary to alleviate nervous exhaustion and improve weak circulation.
Internal Use:
Ingest a few drops of the Spagyric daily. Add to a cup of passion flower and lemon balm tea for a sleep remedy.
Local Pain:
Treating local pain is where we see Lavender earn its title of “first aid in a bottle”. It’s analgesic (pain relieving), antiseptic (disinfectant), and antispasmodic actions are what make lavender such a powerhouse. Lavender is gentle enough to be applied directly to the skin in almost any situation involving pain: cuts, burns, bug bites, bruises, cramps, headaches, herpes, toothaches, rheumatic joints, and childbirth.
Treatment: Lavender applied directly on cuts, scrapes, bug bites, and burns provides immediate pain relief while also disinfecting the location. For relief from headaches and rheumatic joints massage the oil directly on top of the area to feel its effects. To treat earaches (even in children) dab a few drops onto a cotton ball and plug into the ear. Applying (Sulfur of Pine) first in these situations makes the remedy doubly-effective because the sulfur acts as a carrier and brings the Lavender deeper into the skin.
Due to its antispasmodic and sedative actions, lavender is a very reliable remedy for times of menstruation, To bring quick relief to the plethora of menstrual symptoms, ingest Lavender Spagyric in some hot tea and massage the oil on the lower abdomen. Not only will this bring relief internally and externally, but the lovely fragrance also calms the nervous system providing a whole solution in just one plant!
Traditionally, lavender has been used during childbirth by rubbing the oil on the feet and the back of the birthing mother. Speaking to its Latin root “lavare - to wash”, flowers are burnt in birthing rooms and used as a smudge to wash the room of odorous and energetic impurities. The smudge is also used to bathe the baby for the first time, welcoming them into the world in a clean and calm manner.
Skin Conditions:
Lavender’s anti-fungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions make it particularly effective in treating a variety of skin conditions such as acne, ringworm, alopecia and all forms of candida. According to a 2016 study published in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal, Lavender essential oil can promote wound healing by boosting collagen synthesis and increasing blood flow to the applied area.
Treatment: For radiant and blemish-free skin, prepare a skin oil by combining lavender E.O., frankincense E.O., and a base oil of your choice. Use morning and night after washing the face by applying 1-2 drops to fingers and gently massaging into skin. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions will help to ease the skin conditions and reverse signs of aging such as sun spots.
To address fungal infections such as ringworm or topical candida (eczema, athletes foot, dandruff) apply the oil directly to the skin daily. For yeast infections, formulate into a douche.
As with all things in Alchemy, it is best to utilize this plant both internally and externally for resolving the issue wholly.
Digestive Upsets:
When Lavender Spagyric is ingested, it increases the mobility of food within the intestines. It also stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile, thus aiding in the treatment of indigestion, stomach pain, flatulence, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Treatment: 1-2 drops of Lavender Spagyric can be added to a tea of your choice for digestive aid.
*Pairs well with Mint, Licorice, and Chamomile Teas.
When Lavender Spagyric is ingested, it increases the mobility of food within the intestines. It also stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile, thus aiding in the treatment of indigestion, stomach pain, flatulence, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Treatment: 1-2 drops of Lavender Spagyric can be added to a tea of your choice for digestive aid.
*Pairs well with Mint, Licorice, and Chamomile Teas.
Hair Care:
Lavender E.O. can be used as an effective treatment for lice, lice eggs, and nits. It can also be helpful in the treatment of hair loss, specifically those that suffer from alopecia, an autoimmune disorder where the body rejects its own hair follicles. A recent Scottish study reported that more than 40% of alopecia patients in the study group reported a significant increase in hair growth when lavender E.O. was regularly massaged into the scalp. The use of Lavender oil may also be used as a preventative measure to male pattern baldness or to help strengthen hair.
Treatment: Apply 1-3 drop mixed in a carrier oil of your choice (jojoba, argan, tamanu, etc.) and massage into scalp a few times per week.
Aphrodisiac:
For thousands of years, lavender has been known as an herb of love and preservation. Women would traditionally scent their clothes and linens with sprigs of lavender to keep things smelling fresh and alluring or to attract the attention of a man. The scent of Lavender came to represent purity, chastity, fertility and was thought to actually ensure fidelity between partners. It was said that Josephine would give Napoleon Bonaparte a drink which contained healthy doses of lavender flowers that peaked his arousal. According to the Smell and Taste Research Foundation in Chicago, the scent of Lavender, when combined with pumpkin spice, is arousing to men. Lavender works in the body by gently relaxing the nervous system without fogging the mind while also stimulating blood flow. This Aphrodisiac property is only true for real steam-distilled lavender essential oil. Lavender oils can be diffused into a bedroom, worn on the skin, or sprayed onto bed sheets to make use of its aphrodisiac effects when the time is right.
For thousands of years, lavender has been known as an herb of love and preservation. Women would traditionally scent their clothes and linens with sprigs of lavender to keep things smelling fresh and alluring or to attract the attention of a man. The scent of Lavender came to represent purity, chastity, fertility and was thought to actually ensure fidelity between partners. It was said that Josephine would give Napoleon Bonaparte a drink which contained healthy doses of lavender flowers that peaked his arousal. According to the Smell and Taste Research Foundation in Chicago, the scent of Lavender, when combined with pumpkin spice, is arousing to men. Lavender works in the body by gently relaxing the nervous system without fogging the mind while also stimulating blood flow. This Aphrodisiac property is only true for real steam-distilled lavender essential oil. Lavender oils can be diffused into a bedroom, worn on the skin, or sprayed onto bed sheets to make use of its aphrodisiac effects when the time is right.
Lavender Essential Oil:
Kymia Arts Lavender Essential oil is Steam distilled from all organic wild-harvested Lavender plants making it pesticide free and safe for both internal and external use. Pure essential oils of Lavender are very gentle, even safe to use for newborn babies.
Internal use:
When using internally, only 1-2 drops of essence is needed. 1-2 drops may also be diluted into a beverage of your choice such as water, tea, juice, kombucha, beer, wine, or cocktails. Lavender has a minty and cooling flavor
External use:
Before using an essential oil regularly for topical use, it is always a good idea to see how your skin will react to the essence. You can place 1 drop on the inside of the wrist, along a vein, or apply one drop to your finger and rub the essence into the skin behind the ear. Wait 10-20 minutes and see if your skin burns or generates any redness. If all is well, feel free to apply your essential oil as frequently as you would like. It may also be worn as a mood-enhancing perfume to keep you feeling relaxed and content. Lavender essential oil is great for diffusing. Add to any aromatherapy diffuser to wind down for the night or maintain a tranquil environment.
Kymia Arts Lavender Essential oil is Steam distilled from all organic wild-harvested Lavender plants making it pesticide free and safe for both internal and external use. Pure essential oils of Lavender are very gentle, even safe to use for newborn babies.
Internal use:
When using internally, only 1-2 drops of essence is needed. 1-2 drops may also be diluted into a beverage of your choice such as water, tea, juice, kombucha, beer, wine, or cocktails. Lavender has a minty and cooling flavor
External use:
Before using an essential oil regularly for topical use, it is always a good idea to see how your skin will react to the essence. You can place 1 drop on the inside of the wrist, along a vein, or apply one drop to your finger and rub the essence into the skin behind the ear. Wait 10-20 minutes and see if your skin burns or generates any redness. If all is well, feel free to apply your essential oil as frequently as you would like. It may also be worn as a mood-enhancing perfume to keep you feeling relaxed and content. Lavender essential oil is great for diffusing. Add to any aromatherapy diffuser to wind down for the night or maintain a tranquil environment.
Lavender Spagyric:
This preparation of Lavender includes all three principles of the plant -essence, fermented spirit, and alkaline salts. Kymia Arts spagyrics are 'traditional' in the sense that we do not tincture our plants and then add calcined ashes back in. True spagyrics are made only by separating all 3 principles from a plant via distillation, fermentation, and calcination and recombining them. Spagyric preparations are estimated to increase the medicinal efficacy of any herb by at least 40x and can have beneficial effects in the body for up to 72 hours.
Spagyrics are intended for internal use. Only 1-2 drops are needed, and it is recommended to dilute these drops into a drink of your choice. Any beverage works, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. Lavender spagyric can be taken 1-3 times a day depending on your needs and severity of complaints. Using your spagyric daily will bring the most benefit.
Spagyrics are better options for working on neurotransmitter function, digestive issues, Memory/focus, and the other physical and internal ailments listed above.
Lavender Herb
The dried herb can have several uses as well. It can be ground and added to baked goods for a refreshing accent. Or, you can steep one teaspoon in a tea for the nervous system and pain support. Feel free to add a little Honey to sweeten the camphorous flavor.
Lavender can also be added to smoking blends or used as incense to enjoy before bed. Note that it is very calming and slightly heavy when the smoke is inhaled so be cautious when driving after doing so.
Planetary Correspondence + Spiritual Profile:
Plants, just like animals and humans, are a microcosm. This means that our nature -physically, mentally, and emotionally- reflects the mechanics and expressions of the cosmos.
Lavender, just like any other plant, contains within it reflections of all aspects of the universe. Beings of any kind are always holographic containers and mirrors to the whole. This is actually a law in alchemy and can be explored further in the (Planetary Correspondence) section of this site.
Plants, just like animals and humans, are a microcosm. This means that our nature -physically, mentally, and emotionally- reflects the mechanics and expressions of the cosmos.
Lavender, just like any other plant, contains within it reflections of all aspects of the universe. Beings of any kind are always holographic containers and mirrors to the whole. This is actually a law in alchemy and can be explored further in the (Planetary Correspondence) section of this site.
Lavender is most often expressed as a Mercurial herb. This identification comes from the fact that Lavender can very easily dilute the expressions of pain and inflammation while stimulating the flow of authentic expression. With Mercury being the planet that rules the throat chakra and the general archetype of expression, Lavender can be seen to hold great value in embodying the smooth expression of one's mind or movements. Its ability to calm the nervous system also shows its strong correspondence to the moon.
Lunar qualities relate to the mind, nervous system, and perceptions. With the plant being named directly after its ability to wash, its talent for cleansing the mind and heavy emotions are kindly expressed with the influence of mercury at play. This cleansing ability of mind and emotions assists the user in seeing and feeling more clearly, allowing for an enhanced sense of discernment and decisiveness. This new found decisiveness and clarity lends itself to a martial correspondence, which is manifested physically in Lavender’s ability to soothe digestive upsets.
Mars is the planet that rules the Solar Plexus and digestive organs. It also corresponds to the mental archetypes that rule our sense of will and confidence. With clean and clear perceptions and confidence behind our actions, Lavender leads the user to understand their place in the world and step forward with emphasized strength. Understanding is a quality of Venus and the Heart Chakra. The Venusian archetype is seen most prevalently in Lavender’s ability for wound healing and the stimulation of vibrant healthy skin through collagen production and increased blood flow. As the body and mind come into alignment through the use of Lavender, the individual can find it much easier to live a heart-centered experience where love, understanding, and compassion become the primary modes of operating in the world.
The overarching view of lavenders actions upon the mind (our spiritual nature) can be categorized as cleansing, purifying, calming, and revivifying. It can help to calm the tumultuous nature of the mind and the pressures society can project onto us. It assists in cleansing old patterns of thinking and washing the slate clean so that you may redefine yourself.
Lavender Products
View details for full product descriptions and prices.
Lavender Essential Oil is steam-distilled from wild-harvested Lavender plants making it pesticide free and safe for both internal and external use.
Lavender Spagyric includes all three principles of the plant - essence, fermented spirit, and alkaline salts.
Lavender dried flowers are used for tea, baking, smoking, and incense.
*Please Note: With a growing demand for our artisanal products, everything on the Kymia Arts website is now made-to-order and thus carries an estimated shipping time of 1-3 months. Great care, attention, and time is involved in the hand-crafting of our offerings, and we will never sacrifice quality in exchange for expedience. Please be assured that we strive to send orders out as quickly as the process allows. Thank you for your support and patience in upholding the expression of Kymia Arts.
