Lavender is one of the many types of flowering mint plants. Lavender plants are widely grown around the work including southeast India, Africa, cape verse and the Mediterranean.
Lavender oil is often used in soaps, beauty products, candles, and various other products as a relaxing scent. However, the oil is also notable as a topical wound cleanser.
Planting lavender
Lavender plants need to be planted in areas with full sun. These plants will not do well in any area with any amount of shade. This shouldn’t deter you from adding it to your garden, though. These plants add a level of modest charm to a garden or home that is an absolute must! It may seem as though lavender is a high maintenance plant but it is far from it. As long as they are planted in well-drained soil in full sun areas and watered when the soil is dry then they will be easy peasy.
Types of lavender plants
Buena Vista lavender plants have beautiful deep bluish-purple flowers. The aroma is very pleasant and therefore is often added to recipes to serve as a savory rub, an ingredient in jams and desserts.
English lavender plants have a sweeter scent and are commonly added to batteries, perfumes, ice cream, and various other foods and products.
Provence lavender is more likely to be used as the perfume scent choice. However, it is also a great addition to walkways and cookies!
Gross lavender has dark calyxes, violet-blue flowers, and silvery foliage. It is most popular in Italy and France.
Edelweiss is unlike the other lavender plants because it has white flowers and is mostly an addition to the landscaping of a home rather than an ingredient in the food.
Spanish Lavender is easy to identify because it visually resembles rabbit ears in varying shades of pink and purple. The leaves of this lavender plant are more green or gray color.
Benefits of lavender
Aside from the effortless beauty that the lavender plant will add to any landscaping, garden, walkway or planter, lavender is beneficial in other ways as well!
Many of the benefits of lavender will have to do with its pleasing aroma and its relaxing qualities.
- Have trouble sleeping? Suffer from insomnia? Studies have shown that putting a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow before bedtime can help you fall asleep and have a restful sleep.
- Does acne cover your face? Do you have patches of eczema on your arms? Applying lavender oil on the area is said to help reduce the inflammation but some people suffer from sensitive skin. If this is the case then it is suggested to mix the lavender oil with water or carrier oil to dilute it.
- Lavender is also believed to have antioxidant properties. As a result, lavender can assist in the process of healing wounds.
*it is important to note that you should never apply lavender oil or it’s products to a wound or skin irritation unless you consult your dermatologist first*
- The distinctive aroma of lavender is quite beneficial for inducing relaxation for women in labor.
- There have been studies that show that inhaling the aroma of lavender after surgery can help reduce a person’s blood pressure.
Other benefits of lavender include:
- Relieving symptoms of asthma
- Reduces menopause hot flashes
- An antifungal for foot fungus, and ringworm
Lavender Rosemary Grilled Ribeye Steak
https://cookingontheweekends.com/lavender-rosemary-grilled-ribeye-steak/#wprm-recipe-container-24036
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons fresh lavender, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 (approximately 3/4-pound) Ribeye steak
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a tiny bowl, combine the herbs with the salt. Add the olive oil and mix.
- Preheat a stove-top grill or your BBQ on high. While it’s heating, rub both sides of each steak with the herb mixture, using all of it. Then crack a bit of black pepper on both sides.
- Place the steaks on the preheated grill — you should hear a sizzling sound right away. If you don’t, your pan is not hot enough yet. Wait until it’s very hot and listen for the sizzle! Try not to move the steak during the first couple of minutes of cooking. This will allow it to form a, “crust.”
- Lower the heat to medium-low, and continue to cook until desired doneness. For medium-rare, cook for about 3 minutes per side.
- Remove the steaks from the grill, place them on a plate, and cover with foil. Let the steaks rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing
