Lavender is an evergreen plant. Lavender flowers exude a strong and pleasant aroma, and, depending on the species, they can be used in various fields - for the manufacture of essential oil, soap fragrance, cologne or lotion, for decorating the interior and garden, or for insect control. Lavender angustifolia refers to medicinal varieties, it is used in both traditional and folk medicine. There are no contraindications to the use of the plant, except for individual intolerance to the substances contained in the flowers - essential oil, coumarin, flavonoids, phytosterols.
Lavender angustifolia is a semi-shrub plant up to half a meter high. The stems are erect, the arrangement of the leaves on them is opposite. Flowers gather in an inflorescence - an intermittent spike. The plant is winter-hardy, perennial. The most common processed product is essential oil. For these purposes, the plant is grown in special fields and farms.
Due to its fragrance, lavender angustifoliawas known to the ancient Romans. It was used for taking aromatic baths, considering the plant an excellent tool for maintaining tone. Its homeland is the Mediterranean coast. This type of lavender is more frost-resistant, therefore it has spread towards Eastern Europe. In the Middle Ages, it began to be used to decorate houses, and dry bouquets were used as a remedy for moths. Even today, lavender oil can be used as a natural mosquito repellent. It is enough to add one drop to the aroma lamp with a lit candle-tablet, and insects within a radius of 5 meters will not bother you. True, this method is suitable for an open veranda or terrace, as well as a well-ventilated room. To prevent mosquitoes from disturbing indoors, apply a little lavender essential oil to your wrists and elbows.
But lavender angustifolia and products made from it are not only used to repel insects. Alcohol tincture is used for rubbing and compresses for rheumatism. In Germany, doctors prescribe the flowers of this plant to be added to tea for such symptoms of a nervous breakdown as insomnia, lack of appetite, anxiety, flatulence, nervous irritation. In folk medicine, lavender angustifolia is also used for such diseases as disorders of the central nervous system, colic, toothache, gout, heart disease, joints, gynecological diseases.
But not only in the field of medicine, the plant has found its application. Lavender in the garden is used for landscape design:laying out fragrant gardens, rose gardens, decorating garden paths, arranging benches or arbors. It looks great as a hedge, especially during the flowering period, which occurs in the second half of summer.
Grow lavender with seeds or petioles. Seeds are planted in the ground in the second half of autumn. For indoor cultivation, it is necessary to stratify the seeds, which are then planted in prepared containers. Lavender seedlings are dived after the formation of two adult leaves. In the middle of spring, plants are planted in a permanent place.
When cutting, a lignified stem is bent to the ground and added dropwise. A year later, the rooted new plant is separated from the old one and transplanted to the intended site. Lavender angustifolia does not require special soils or special care. Mature plants require almost no watering. After flowering, it is necessary to cut off the dried inflorescences, and for the winter cover with spruce branches or dry leaves.
