LAVENDER PLANT STUDY
Introduction
Growing Environment
The two basic requirements for successful lavender growing are full sun and good drainage (McNaughton, 2000). A native of the Mediterranean region, the main elements that seem to influence lavender growth are the quality of soil, the climate, the amount of watering done and pruning. We have a lot of lavender Dentata successfully growing in our garden (often called French Lavender). It forms large shrubs and most of the year is covered with light purple flowers. It grows in a raised bed that captures the warmth of the full sun during the day. We built the garden using good soil and ensured good drainage; watering takes place via a sprinkler system during the summer. Although the lavender grows well without too much water, it can become dehydrated if left for too long. We prune every February and December, a ritual that seems to suit this lavender. The lavender grows well along side a lemon tree, a variety of daisies, fragrant geraniums and a mixture of other plants. In the front garden it flourishes well along side a variety of succulents and trees.
The Botany of Lavender (in this case Lavender Dentata)
– The plant has fine, shallow fibrous roots
– A central brown, woody stem arises above the earth, and number of woody stems branch off this main stem. All the stems grow upwards showing a very straight gesture. The cotyledons are not visible on this particular plant
– The lower ¼ of the woody stems are almost bare with only a few leaves in place. The foliage colour is an even shade of mid-green
– The leaves are very small at the lower pole of the stem becoming longer and slightly wider as they ascend upwards
– The leaves, which are coated by a layer of fine hair, are oblong in nature and grow with an upright gesture from the node. The leaf margin has a dentate (toothed) pattern
– The leaves have a decussate arrangement around the stem in that they are placed opposite to one another, then rotated by 90% with another pair of opposite leaves
– The leaves arise out of the nodes of the stem and each node is separated by an inter-nodal space. They appear to be covered with a very fine down of hair
– Multiple leaves branch from each node giving the plant a bushy appearance especially towards the middle of the plant
– Except for a coat of very fine hair, the last 10 cm of the stem (the peduncle) is clean, without any leaves. The peduncle is square in shape and a green-grey colour
– The top of the peduncle merges with the inflorescence (lavender spike) which consists of a single main axis bearing a number of short stalked flowers.
– The lower end of the lavender spike is formed by petals called bracts. These bracts are fertile and contain the plants seeds. The fertile bracts are broad and arranged in vertical rows
– The spike has a number of bracts that encircle that encircle the length of the spike
– The intermediate part of the lavender spike contains the bracteole which terminates in small flower structures called corollas
– The terminal part of the lavender spike consists of a beautiful open flower head which is formed by sterile bracts. The youngest flowers are near the top of the spike
– In the case of Lavender Dentata these sterile bracts are quite small compared to other species of Lavender I have seen
DRAWINGS
First Impressions
When I look at the upright gesture of the Lavender plant, I have an impression that the plant is in a hurry to merge with the light and warmth of the sun. The roots look very fine, almost as if there was not enough time for them to penetrate the earth deeply; there is a sense that this plant is not interested in the earths cool, still nature. In the leaves there is a sense of randomness and order at the same time. The foliage close to the earth seems to grow in a scanty, unorganized way while the foliage higher up the flower stem seems to have more of an ordered, bushy growth pattern. Never the less, there is an impression of untidiness when first observing this single plant. On mass the foliage forms a green canvas.
There is sense of warm air swirling through the leaves and flower stems of this plant. I can imagine the golden warmth of the sun dancing with the lavender, especially in the summer months. Everything about this particular lavender is upright, straight and true giving the impression that the plant ‘knows it is lavender’ and what its purpose in life is. My sense is that its strong metabolic forces are tempered with the gentle nature of the rhythmic system allowing the lavender’s perfume to bring peace and calmness to our soul. Like the leaves, the flower itself seems impatient for the suns light and warmth. The flower rises up on its stem, leaving the leaf region behind as it pushes upwards. In the lavender spike there is an impression of secrecy and openness at the same time. The lower bracts hide the plant’s seeds while the flower rises majestically from the top of the spike, opening to the world like beautiful, delicate butterfly wings. In looking at the lavender plant right now, I have an impression of a noble, strong plant with gentle independence.
Drawing One
Leaves from the Lavender Dentata.
– These lavender leaves are an even mid-green colour
– The leaves seem to arise directly from the node
– The node is a slightly paler green colour than the leaves
– The leaves are oblong in shape
– In the longer leaf the widest part appears to be in the middle
– The leaves have a single vein through the middle
– The leaf margin as a ‘toothed’ appearance with ‘teeth’ type structures arising in pairs from the central vein
– The undersides of the leaves are a lighter shade of green
Drawing Two
Stem with Terminal Bud
– The stem has a square shape and is a lighter green than the leaves
– It rises up in a very straight gesture and is covered in very fine hairs, especially towards the top at the peduncle
– There are nodes and internodes spaces along the stem
– The leaves arise from the nodes with a straight gesture
– The leaves are smaller at the lower part of the stem, longer and wider towards the top
– At the top of the stem the peduncle supports the terminal flower bud
– The peduncle is thinner than the lower stem
– The peduncle is a lighter green than the leaves
– The bracts enfold the terminal bud and are tightly closed
– There is a darker area along the bud where the bracts meet each other
Drawing Three
Terminal Bud
– The peduncle is a lighter green than the stem below
– The peduncle supports a terminal bud
– The bracts of the terminal bud encircle the bud and are tightly closes
– The bracts seem to have small pointed shape at the centre that is darker green in colour
– The bottoms of the bracts are a paler green with very fine darker green lines running through them
– The tip of a dark purple structure peeks out from the centre of each bract
– The tip of the bud is pointed and appears as if it is starting to open
– The bud has a coating of very fine hairs
Drawing Four
Lavender Spike on Stem
– The flower stalk, the peduncle has a square type shape
– The lavender spike also has a square look about it
– The fertile bracts have opened revealing the small flowers, the corollas
– The sterile bracts are the more conspicuous part of the inflorescence (the lavender spike) as they open at the top
– The inflorescence with a layer of very fine hairs and it has a purple/green/grey appearance
– All the corollas and petals of the flower head grow in an upright gesture
Drawing Five
Inflorescence (Lavender Spike)
– The peduncle has a square shape and merges into the lower, fertile bracts that contain the seeds that are full of oil
– The inflorescent is about 5 cm long
– The bracts encircle the spike in vertical rows
– The bracts are covered with a layer of very fine hair that lends a grayish colour the purple and green hues.
– The purple colour of the bracts spreads from their tip to about ¾ of the down bract where to purple merges with a pale green colour
– The corollas have emerged from the bracts and some have opened revealing a beautiful, delicate looking purple flower
– Other corollas remain closed showing only their dark purple tip which arises from the green bracteoles
– The sterile bract at the top of the inflorescence arises majestically with an open gesture towards the suns warmth and light. The flower head is pale purple in colour with the tip a slightly deeper purple colour than the lower part of the flower head
– The flowers are very beautiful and very delicate; they give the impression that a butterfly had landed on the top of the lavender
Lavender’s Healing Qualities
Lavender has long been known for its calming, healing, strengthening and fragrant qualities, Greenstone, 1999). In ancient Egypt, the Egyptians recognized the preserving qualities of lavender and use it in the embalming process. The Greeks rubbed lavender on their lower limbs for its calming qualities; they recognized its ability to penetrate the body and calm the senses. The ancient Romans recognized lavender for its healing and antiseptic qualities. They washed in lavender washed to keep insects away, (History of Lavender, 2004). They also took lavender internally as it was found to have a relieving effect on digestive disorders. The Romans also used lavender for its antiseptic qualities in treating wounds, burns and skin ailments. People scattered lavender on the floor of their homes to freshen the air and fumigate sick rooms. It was also used as incense for religious ceremonies. The calming and relaxing qualities of lavender also helped those with menstrual problems, kidney disorders, jaundice and dropsy. (History of Lavender, 2004)
During the middle ages, lavender was mainly grown in monasteries where monks and nuns preserved knowledge of herbal law in their medicinal gardens. However this changed when Henry 8th dissolved the monasteries and lavender moved to domestic gardens. Women started to dry and place lavender into bags and their linen chests introducing its bringing its fragrance and qualities into their homes. During Elizabethan times lavender was mixed with beeswax and rubbed into oak furniture to give it a high gloss and purify the air. People saw lavender as a herb they could use to guard themselves against infection, especially during the Great Plague of the 17th century (Allardice, 1998).
So lavender has long been known for its fragrance, healing and calming, restorative and balancing, antiseptic and antibacterial qualities. Lavender has also been used topically for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities (Moore, n.d.).
Although the plant, flowers and seeds all have the distinct lavender fragrance, the oil derived from the flowers is the most important medicinal component. This is because lavender oil contains different chemicals that complement one another giving lavender its broad range of healing properties. Moore (n.d.) asserts that lavender oil contains the natural alcohol linalool; ketones, esters; and aldehydes
– Linalol provides lavender’s antiseptic properties by effectively killing bacteria and viruses. Linalol also helps healing skin irritations including burns, wounds, acne and sores
– The aldehydes in lavender are responsible for its distinct aroma and soothing properties
– The ketones in lavender effectively reduce pain and inflammation and help induce sleep
– The esters in lavender reduce soreness and swelling, prevent muscle spasms, fight fungal infections and prevent scarring. They also help relieve tension, depression and hysteria, and they help regulate moods
(Chemical list is printed with the permission of the author)
Three Fold Principles
In considering the healing properties of medicinal plants, Rudolf Steiner found that a plant with healing properties often grows in an unbalanced manner. In contrast, non-medicinal plants are usually ideally proportioned in their growth pattern (Douch, 2004). To enjoy good health, human beings need balance between the nerve-sense and metabolic systems. Balance between these two poles of the body is achieved and maintained through a healthy rhythmic system. However, in plants an imbalance between these three main areas reveals a healing quality, as in the lavender.
The roots of the lavender, which penetrate the cool, still earth corresponds with the nerve-sense system, the still, cool area of a human being. The lavender flower, with its strong metabolic processes corresponds with the metabolic-limb system in human beings. This leaves the leaf region, which corresponds to the rhythmic system in a human being. The imbalance in the lavenders growth is apparent when considering its roots, foliage and flower. Although the roots of the lavender draw minerals and water from the earth, they remain surprisingly fine and fibrous.
As the cosmic warmth of the sun fills the plant; it diminishes the water element and allows the lavender fragrance to permeate the whole plant. This cosmic warmth gives the plant stem its dry, woody appearance and its leaves their dry, contracted spiky appearance, (Pelikan, 1997). The plants whole concentration is focused on pushing upwards towards the sun to ensure the development and fruition of its flowers. All its energy is given to this metabolic activity. These imbalances in the lavenders growth become a gift to human kind because the therapeutic application of lavender supports the warmth and air processes in the human body (Husemann & Wolfe, 1982).
It is interesting to realize that a gift of the lavender, a plant with such fierce metabolic processes, lends itself to promoting relaxation and calmness to the nerve-sense system in human beings.
Traditional Use of Lavender
The historical record of lavender being used dates back to over 1,000 years. Popin (n.d.) claims it was used for driving away evil spirits, calming the emotions, soothing the nerves and restoring well being. Traditionally lavender oil is better remembered as an antiseptic agent and people used lavender in their bath and washing water, for its fragrance and antiseptic properties. In fact the Latin name for Lavender is ‘lavare’, meaning ‘to wash’. People spread lavender on the floor in their homes to sweeten and purify the air; religious houses used it as cleansing and purifying incense. In some cultures it was used as an expectorant and antispasmodic and other cultures used it as an embalming fluid, (Popin, n.d.).
It was mixed with bees wax and used as a furniture polish to shine and protect the wood as well as for its fragrance. People also used lavender to repel insects, treat lice and to perfume potpourri. Women wore it in their cleavage with the hopes of attracting a suitor. Throughout the ages different cultures have used lavender, for its healing and its antibacterial and anti fungal properties, as part of their medicinal remedies. Traditionally, it appears that many cultures have long known, and valued, the healing qualities of lavender.
Anthroposophical Perspective
From an Anthroposophical perspective lavender is valued and respected for its calming and restorative properties (Pelikan, 1997). When comparing lavender to the three-fold human being, I can see that it has a strong relationship to the lower pole of the body, the metabolic-limb system. The warmth element seems to penetrate virtually the whole of the plant and in the body is carried by the “I” organisation in the blood. During the summer months the lavender rises from the earth and moves swiftly to its flowering stage. From an Anthroposophical nursing perspective, what I find so interesting about this plant is its ability to calm and restore balance within the nerve-sense system, which is considered an area of coolness, stillness and minimal growth regeneration. In practicing the Anthroposophical clinical therapies throughout this year I have used the warmth and fragrance of lavender to help restore balance between the upper and lower poles of the body.
Lavender appears to have a relaxing and calming influence on the central nervous system which, through its many branches, has a regulatory effect within the body. When added to water or used as a compress, lavender’s fragrance enters the body via the olfactory system helping to release muscle tightness around the head, neck and shoulder areas. For this reason lavender is a valuable substance in helping to relieve the pain of migraines and other types of headaches. The warming and relaxing influence of lavender can also help to rebalance digestive disorders, especially symptoms related to stress. Its anti-spasmodic ability can help release muscle spasms throughout the digestive tract relieving abdominal discomfort, flatulence, indigestion and feeling of nausea (Herbs 2000, 2009).
Lavender’s nerve and muscle relaxing properties allow for increased digestive blood flow to these organs which improves muscular activity and the flow of digestive secretions. Achieving balance between the upper and lower poles of the body requires harmony within the rhythmic system (Husemann & Wolfe, Vol 2, 2004). Lavender can help to restore balance here through its influence on helping to regulate the heart and breathing rates as well as the blood flow through these organs. When the rhythmic system is functioning in a balanced manner, it is able to mediate and maintain balance between the upper and lower poles of the body. Stress and feeling of anxiety have an adverse effect on the rhythmic system, which in turn has an adverse effect on the nerve-sense and metabolic-limb systems as well. Lavender’s warming, calming and relaxing influence on the central nervous system can help to restore balance to respiration, heart rhythms and blood flow.
While the lavender’s properties can have a calming and relaxing influence on the inner workings of our body, it also has and important influence on our soul life and feelings of well being. Lavender can have a calming and balancing effect our emotions and the way we react to anxious and fearful situations. It can help to lift our ‘spirits’ when we are feeling low allowing us to have a different perspective on life and the world. Its calming and relaxing affect can help us to prepare for sleep and to enjoy a good night’s rest, an important part of our rhythmical life, allowing us to let go of the days activities. Lavender, especially when used as a chest compress, supports our middle realm, helping to create an inner space for our self (Oil Compresses, Clinical Therapies Protocol, 2009). When we have a sense of well-being we feel strong and open, especially in our middle realm. It is during these moments, when we feel balanced, alive and open; we can rise above earthy worries and hopefully learn how to connect with more with our spiritual nature and qualities (Husemann & Wolff, Vol 2, 2004).
Side effects and cautions in using lavender
In general lavender is considered a safe substance for most people. People with a known allergy to lavender would be advised not to use it. For some people, topical use of lavender can cause dermatitis. Lavender contains varying amounts of coumarins and therefore may increase the effects of anticoagulants medications. It is also advisable to use lavender cautiously in clients who are currently taking drugs that depress the central nervous system in case the use of lavender exacerbates sedation. Nausea and vomiting has been reported after large oral doses of lavender > 5.0g/day. Lavender is not recommended during pregnancy.
In Conclusion
I think it would be fair to say that lavender’s influence reaches all three realms of a human being. Just as the warmth element penetrates the whole plant, so its warmth and fragrance penetrates all realms of our body. Its calming properties and influences on the body maintains the coolness and stillness in the nerve-sense region by redirecting the metabolic process back to the lower half of the body. It helps to increase warmth and blood flow within the metabolic-limb system thus redirecting the elements of coolness and stillness back to the top part of the body where they belong. And it does this through restoring harmony to the rhythmic system allowing this realm to maintain its balancing and mediation roles within the body.
Lavender
Lavender, beautiful to see, touch and smell
Its fragrance helps us to feel balanced and restored
Open to life and ready to dance
It stimulates our taste buds while calming digestion
Its warmth flows through us helping us to measure our words
And calm our thoughts
We hear the harmony of our heart beat and breathing as its fragrance carries us to sleep
And its warmth takes us gently into the spiritual world allowing us to merge with other worlds and our higher self
Plant Study, Tricia Russell
Taruna College, July 2009
References
– Allardice, P., (2004) The Art of Aromatherapy, A guide for using essential oils for health and relaxation, Lansdowne Publications
– Certificate in Holistic Healthcare (2009) Oil Compresses, Clinical Protocol Notes, Taruna College, Havelock North, New Zealand
– G. Douch, Dr., (2004) Medicine for the Whole Person A Guide to Anthroposophical Treatment, Floris Books, Poland
– Greenstone, (1990), Healing at Home ~ A guide to using alternative remedies and conventional medicine that will change you approach to illness, Healing at Home Resources, PO Box 2622, Ann Arbor, MI, 48106
– Herbs 2000 (2009) Lavender http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_lavender.htm, accessed July 8th 2009
– Huseman, F., & Wolfe, O., (1982), The Anthroposophical Approach to Medicine Vol 1, The Anthroposophical Press Inc, Spring Valley, New York
– Huseman, F., & Wolfe, O., (2004), The Anthroposophical Approach to Medicine Vol 2, The Anthroposophical Press Inc, Hudson, New York
– Lavender Enchantment, (2004) History of Lavender http://www.lavenderenchantment.com/History_Lore/history.htm accessed July 6th 2009
– McNaughton, V., (2000). Lavender, The New Zealand Gardner’s Guide, Penguin Books, (NZ) Ltd, cnr Airborne and Rosedale Roads, Albany, Auckland, 1310, NZ
– Moore, Dr. E., (n.d). Lavender’s Healing Propertieshttp://www.elaine-moore.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=%2FgxN3aUc%2BtA%3D&tabid=164&mid=600 viewed July 5th 2009
– Pelikan., W., (1997), Healing Plants ~ Insights Through Spiritual Science, Mercury Press, Fellowship Community, 241 Hungry Hollow Road, Spring Valley, NY 10977
– Popin. B., (n.d.) The Quality of Lavender, Director of Quality Assurance/Quality control http://www.stonekingdom.org/articles/The_Quality_of_Lavender.pdf accessed July 8th 2009
Anthroposophical Nursing 