Lavender Flowers Up Close: Beauty, Uses and Benefits

Appreciating the Beauty of Lavender Flowers Up Close

Let’s start by admiring the stunning beauty of lavender flowers up close. The lavender plant produces abundant slender spikes covered in dozens of tiny, tubular purple flowers. Here are some interesting facts about lavender flowers:

• The blooms appear on long stems rising above the foliage.
• The flowering stems are 6 inches to 3 feet long depending on variety.
• Flower color ranges from pale purple to deep violet.
• Flowers have a two-lipped, tubular shape.
• Lavender flowers have a refreshing, clean floral scent.
• Peak blooming occurs in mid to late summer.
• Flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies.
• Lavender blooms can be used fresh or dried in floral arrangements.

Parts of a Lavender Flower

Taking a microscopic look at an individual lavender flower reveals some unique anatomy:

• The flower has a tubular, two-lipped corolla surrounding the reproductive parts.
• The upper lip has two lobes while the lower lip has three lobes.
• Enclosed within the flower are the stamen (male parts) and pistil (female parts).
• The stamen consists of a slender filament topped with a pollen-producing anther.
• The pistil has a stigma, style, and ovary containing ovules.
• Nectar is produced at the base of the corolla to attract pollinators.

POLLINATION

For lavender plants to produce seeds, pollen must be transferred from the anthers of one flower to the stigma of another flower. Here’s an overview of lavender pollination:

• Lavender plants are mainly self-pollinating, but can also be cross-pollinated by insects.
• Bees, butterflies, and other insects gather nectar and pollen from the flowers.
• As pollinators move between flowers, pollen grains attach to their bodies and are transferred.
• When pollen reaches the stigma, a pollen tube grows down the style into the ovary.
• The pollen fertilizes the ovules, allowing seeds to develop.
• A single lavender flower produces up to 4 nut-like seeds.

Therapeutic Benefits of Lavender

The most prized part of the lavender plant for health purposes is the oil extracted from the flowers. Lavender essential oil contains a variety of phytochemicals including linalool, linalyl acetate, and camphor which are thought to be responsible for its calming effects.

Here’s a look at some of the top research-backed benefits of using lavender essential oil:

Promotes Relaxation and Sleep

Multiple studies have found that lavender aromatherapy can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. Inhaling lavender oil scent has a mild sedative effect resulting in lowered heart rate and blood pressure.

Using lavender oil to massage the skin, taking a relaxing lavender bath, or diffusing lavender at bedtime are great ways to enjoy its calming properties.

Eases Anxiety

Science shows lavender has anti-anxiety benefits and may help both generalized anxiety disorder and anxiety linked to medical procedures or trauma. Lavender oil aromatherapy before surgery can lower pre-operative anxiety.

Using lavender oil along with cognitive behavioral therapy may also help reduce anxiety. The soothing floral aroma of lavender triggers a neurochemical response inhibiting anxiety.

Improves Mood

In addition to reducing anxiety and stress, studies indicate lavender essential oil may also enhance mood. Research found diffusing lavender oil increased feelings of happiness and reduced depressive symptoms in postpartum women.

Bathing in water with added lavender oil boosted positive moods and instilled a sense of mental clarity in another study. The ability of lavender to lift mood likely stems from its anti-anxiety and relaxing effects.

Enhances Cognitive Function

The pleasant aroma of lavender may also provide a boost to cognitive performance. Multiple studies have found exposure to lavender oil scent resulted in improved performance on cognitive tests assessing skills like memory, problem solving and analytical reasoning.

Using lavender as aromatherapy enhanced cognitive function and mood in both younger and elderly adults. Lavender may support thinking skills by improving alertness and promoting relaxation.

Relieves Headaches

Thanks to its ability to ease tension and promote relaxation, lavender aromatherapy may help relieve headache pain. One study found inhaling lavender oil for just 15 minutes significantly reduced migraine headache severity.

Applying diluted lavender oil to the temples and back of the neck is another great way to enjoy its headache-relieving effects. Just be sure to test for skin sensitivity first.

Supports Skin Health

Applied topically, lavender oil has antioxidant and antimicrobial actions that benefit skin health. It may help speed wound healing, reduce acne breakouts, improve eczema and psoriasis, and prevent scarring and stretch marks.

Lavender oil contains cineole and perillyl alcohol which have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects when applied to skin. It can even help soothe sunburns.

Growing Lavender

Growing lavender is fairly simple with proper care. Follow these tips for how to grow lavender successfully:

Planting Location

• Lavender thrives best in full sun and well-drained soil.
• Aim for a spot with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• The ideal soil pH is slightly alkaline, around 6.7-7.3.
• Allow 1-3 feet between plants depending on variety size.

Soil and Watering

• Lavender prefers dry, sandy or gravelly soil.
• Improve drainage in heavy clay soil by mixing in gravel or sand.
• Let soil dry out between waterings, then water deeply.
• Excess moisture can cause root rot in lavender.

Care and Harvesting

• Prune plants in spring to shape and promote new growth.
• Deadhead spent blooms during summer to encourage more flowers.
• Fertilize with a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring.
• Harvest flowers for drying or oil extraction when they first open.
• Protect plants from winter frost and wet soil.

Using Lavender Essential Oil Safely

Lavender oil provides many benefits, but keep these safety tips in mind:

• Always dilute in a carrier oil like olive or coconut oil before applying to skin.
• Do a patch test to check for allergic reactions before wider use.
• Avoid use on infants and young children.
• May increase drowsiness from sedative medications - check with your doctor.
• Stop use if you experience headaches, nausea or irritation.
• Not all lavender oil is created equal - look for pure, high quality oil.
• Ingesting lavender oil is not recommended unless under medical supervision.

Other Lavender Plant Uses

In addition to the essential oil, other parts of the lavender plant also have therapeutic uses:

Dried Lavender Flowers

• Used for tea, baking, and potpourri.
• Adds flavor to sweets like cookies, cakes and scones.
• Use in homemade body scrubs, bath bundles, and wreaths.
• Has a more mellow, floral aroma than lavender oil when dried.

Lavender Tea

• Made from steeping fresh or dried lavender flowers.
• Has mild sedative properties to aid sleep.
• May benefit digestion and ease nausea symptoms.
• Also used as a folk remedy for anxiety and depression.

Culinary Uses

• Add fresh lavender flowers to salads, lemonade, champagne, and desserts.
• Use dried lavender in place of rosemary in savory dishes.
• Infuse lavender into vinegars, honey, custards, baked goods, and more.
• Pair with citrus, berries, cream, and herbs like mint.

Conclusion

A close up look reveals there is much more to lavender than just its visual charm and pleasant fragrance. Both the essential oil and dried flowers have many potential therapeutic uses backed by science.

Next time you pass a patch of lavender blooms, take a moment to appreciate their beauty up close. Then consider adding this versatile herb to your wellness routine to benefit from its soothing, relaxing properties in new ways.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.