Justicia pectoralis / Justicia / Acanthaceae (Acanthus family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Chapantye, Tilo, Masha-Hari, Piri Piri.

Description

Justicia pectoralis is an erect herb growing up to 60 cm tall and producing white or pink flowers. It is used in herbal medicine in South America. Justicia pectoralis is also a common admixture in Virola snuffs, an entheogen used by indigenous tribes. Justicia is not psychoactive by itself but appears to aid and enhance the effects of the snuff on the user. It has a pleasant Vanilla-like fragrance. (1)(4)

Scent

The fresh plant has a balsamic odor; the dried plant smells faintly of coumarin (a Vanilla substitute).

Contents

Coumarin and umbelliferone have been identified in Justicia pectoralis. (2)

Synergic Combinations

Shamans add ground dried leaves of Justicia pectoralis to Virola bark resin with ash made from the tree Elizabetha princeps to prepare a snuff. "Justicia pectoralis has an aromatic aspect, but when added to Virola may facilitate the extraction of several tryptamine alkaloids and promote their absorption in human through mucous membranes." (1)

Historical

Virola snuffs are widely used by groups in wet tropical forests of South America. These tribes include the Waika of the upper Orinoco area in Venezuela and northern Brazil and the Paumarí from near the Rio Purus in Amazonian Brazil. The main ingredient of the snuff is an extract from Virola bark and Justicia pectoralis and other plants are often added to enhance the flavour and effects of the snuff. (1) Justicia pectoralis is "largely used in north-eastern Brazil for respiratory tract diseases"(3).

Plant Description

Justicia pectoralis Jacq., Acanthaceae, also named Tila or Tilo is a herb, 20 to 60 cm tall, with slender, grooved stems; erect, climbing or trailing and rooting at the nodes. Leaves opposite, narrow to broad-lanceolate, 3-11 cm long, 3-25 mm wide. Inflorescences 1-sided terminal panicles 2-12 cm long. Corollas tubular, 2-lipped, 8-10 mm long, white, lilac or pink, the throat sometimes dotted with dark purple, the outer surface downy. Cultivated in gardens as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Its native range extends from Mexico to Venezuela and throughout the West Indies. (5)

References

(1) An Hallucinogenic Snuff from the Amazon, Anne Swoboda. Biology 10, Winter 1998
(2) Justicia pectoralis: a study of the basis for its use as a hallucinogenic snuff ingredient, MacRae WD, Towers GH
(3) Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator activities of Brazilian medicinal plants containing coumarin: a comparative study, L. K. A. M. Lealb, A. A. G. Ferreiraa, G. A. Bezerraa, F. J. A. Matosc and G. S. B. Viana
(4) Justicia pectoralis, The Vaults of Erowid
(5) TRI-OLOGY, Vol. 35, No. 2, Nancy C. Coile, Ph. D., Bureau of Entomology, Nematology & Plant Pathology, Florida Department of and Consumer Services.

Justicia pectoralis / Justicia / Acanthaceae (Acanthus family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Chapantye, Tilo, Masha-Hari, Piri Piri.

Description

Justicia pectoralis is an erect herb growing up to 60 cm tall and producing white or pink flowers. It is used in herbal medicine in South America. Justicia pectoralis is also a common admixture in Virola snuffs, an entheogen used by indigenous tribes. Justicia is not psychoactive by itself but appears to aid and enhance the effects of the snuff on the user. It has a pleasant Vanilla-like fragrance. (1)(4)

Scent

The fresh plant has a balsamic odor; the dried plant smells faintly of coumarin (a Vanilla substitute).

Contents

Coumarin and umbelliferone have been identified in Justicia pectoralis. (2)

Synergic Combinations

Shamans add ground dried leaves of Justicia pectoralis to Virola bark resin with ash made from the tree Elizabetha princeps to prepare a snuff. "Justicia pectoralis has an aromatic aspect, but when added to Virola may facilitate the extraction of several tryptamine alkaloids and promote their absorption in human through mucous membranes." (1)

Historical

Virola snuffs are widely used by groups in wet tropical forests of South America. These tribes include the Waika of the upper Orinoco area in Venezuela and northern Brazil and the Paumarí from near the Rio Purus in Amazonian Brazil. The main ingredient of the snuff is an extract from Virola bark and Justicia pectoralis and other plants are often added to enhance the flavour and effects of the snuff. (1) Justicia pectoralis is "largely used in north-eastern Brazil for respiratory tract diseases"(3).

Plant Description

Justicia pectoralis Jacq., Acanthaceae, also named Tila or Tilo is a herb, 20 to 60 cm tall, with slender, grooved stems; erect, climbing or trailing and rooting at the nodes. Leaves opposite, narrow to broad-lanceolate, 3-11 cm long, 3-25 mm wide. Inflorescences 1-sided terminal panicles 2-12 cm long. Corollas tubular, 2-lipped, 8-10 mm long, white, lilac or pink, the throat sometimes dotted with dark purple, the outer surface downy. Cultivated in gardens as an ornamental and medicinal plant. Its native range extends from Mexico to Venezuela and throughout the West Indies. (5)

References

(1) An Hallucinogenic Snuff from the Amazon, Anne Swoboda. Biology 10, Winter 1998
(2) Justicia pectoralis: a study of the basis for its use as a hallucinogenic snuff ingredient, MacRae WD, Towers GH
(3) Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator activities of Brazilian medicinal plants containing coumarin: a comparative study, L. K. A. M. Lealb, A. A. G. Ferreiraa, G. A. Bezerraa, F. J. A. Matosc and G. S. B. Viana
(4) Justicia pectoralis, The Vaults of Erowid
(5) TRI-OLOGY, Vol. 35, No. 2, Nancy C. Coile, Ph. D., Bureau of Entomology, Nematology & Plant Pathology, Florida Department of and Consumer Services.

Kambo Sticks

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Sapo (toad), Vacina do Sapo (toad vaccine), Leite do Sapo (toad milk), Kambô, or Kampú, Secretions of the Phyllomedusa bicolor treefrog.

Description

A Kambo stick is a small wooden stick, with on its surface the dried secretions of a bright green tree frog called the Phyllomedusa bicolor. The stick is wrapped in corn leaf to protect its contents.
"Kambo", "Kampo" or "Sapo" is a traditional medicine used by Amazonian tribes indigenous to the western Amazon region. The Matses tribe traditionally uses this medicine to obtain strenght, aim and dexterity for the hunting. The utilization of this frog venom is shared by numerous other Amazonian tribes, including the Matis, Kanamari, Kaxinawa, Katukina, Kulina, Yaminawa, Marubo, and Ticuna tribes.

Contents

The dried secretion contains up to 7% potently active peptides - phyllocaerulein, phyllomedusin, phyllokinin, dermorphins (selective mu opioid receptor agonists) and deltorphins (selective delta opioid receptor agonists).
Phyllomedusin is a new peptide of the tachykinin family. Phyllomedusin strongly affects the salivary glands, tear ducts, intestines, and bowels, and contributes to violent purging. Tachykinins are active peptides which excite neurons, evoke behavioral responses. They are potent vasodilators and secretagogues, and Phyllomedusin contract (directly or indirectly) many smooth muscles. Phyllomedusin is secreted protein and expressed by the skin glands.

Historical

The Panoan tribes that practice the poison frog ritual call it kambo or kampo in their language. The tree frog is stretched by strings tied to its limbs. Tree frogs are referred to as “sapos,” in spanish hence the term sapo as sometimes used to refer to the indigenous medicine, kambo. As painful as it may look, the tree frog is not harmed during the process in which the poison is harvested from its skin. Traditionally, older men scrape the epidermis of the frog with a wooden stick to remove the toxin. After harvesting the poison, the frog is released unharmed. To the Matses, harming the frog could offend animal spirits and resulting in severe misfortune.(1)
The tribal members use the poison as a medicine and hunting aid, claiming it makes them strong and invisible. The poison from the wooden stick is typically mixed with the shaman's saliva and applied to tiny burns.(2)
Sebastian, a Machineri Indian warns that their "healers know how to use the frog's secretion. Now, it is being used in other places incorrectly, and this has led to the death of patients."(3)

In the 1980s, during one of his visits to the Matses Indians in Peru, investigative journalist Peter Gorman documented the first first-hand experience of a human taking an animal substance directly into the blood stream for medicinal purposes. Times have changed since then. Throughout the Amazon, sapo, can now be purchased, without prescription, in markets and apothecaries, or administered by traditional healers and herbalists as a natural household remedy. Not surprisingly, the global pharmaceutical industry is now taking keen interest in the medicinal properties of frog slime. In an International Herald Tribune article dated May 31, 2006, an alliance between the Katukina tribe and the Brazilian government aims ensure that profits generated from the development of drugs from the phyllomedusa bicolor's secretions, will stay in the country and benefit the Katukinas.(4)

Plant Description

...or rather Animal Description:
Phyllomedusa bicolor, also known as the Giant Leaf Frog or the Giant Monkey Frog, is a large green noctural frog that lives in the trees of the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon. Males 91-103 mm, females 111-119 mm. The dorsum is dark green and the belly varies from white to yellow-white or cream. There are sparse white spots with dark frames on the lower lips, chest and front legs, and these are more dense on the flanks and hind legs. Fingers are transparent brown with large green adhesive discs. A prominent gland extends from behind the eye over the tympanum. The iris is dark gray. The species is arboreal and nocturnal. Males usually call from high trees, and descend with the female to construct nests 1-3 m above ponds. Reproduction occurs throughout the year in ponds near to, or far from, streams, with a peak from November to May (rainy season). The females deposit about 600 unpigmented eggs in a gelatinous mass in leaf nests hanging over ponds. The leaves are joined or folded with the aid of the male. After 8-10 days, the tadpoles hatch and fall into the water, where they complete development until metamorphosis. Like other amphibians from around the world, the giant monkey frog is threatened by climate change and habitat loss.(5)

References

(1) Kambo, matses.info
(2) Frog Sweat ~ Matses Rainforest Medicine, by Peter Gorman, Mariri Magazine
(3) Biodiversity: Indigenous Peoples Fight Theft, by Julio Godoy, Inter Press Service News Agency
(4) Kampú - Taking the Frog Vaccine, by Lorna Li, Mariri Magazine
(5) Phyllomedusa bicolor, AmphibiaWeb

Articles

Any information provided about products on this website, including any links to external websites, is purely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and should never be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the products.

Frog Poison Trial - YouTube
Frog secretions and hunting magic in the upper Amazon: Identification of a peptide that interacts with an adenosine receptor
Frog Sweat - Matses Rainforest Medicine, by Peter Gorman
Kambo, The Spirit of the Shaman
Kampo - Taking the Frog Vaccine
Making Magic - Peter Gorman
Peter Gorman
Phyllomedusa bicolor - Erowid
Poisonous Tree Frog Could Bring Wealth to Tribe in Brazilian Amazon, from The New York Times
The Matse and the Sacred - Bennett Blumenberg

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Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Palo Brea, Caesalpinia praecox, Cercidium australe, Parkinsonia praecox, Cercidium goldmannii, Cercidium plurifoliatum, Cercidium spinosum, Cercidium viride, Sonoran Palo Verde.

Description

Cercidum Praecox is a a striking large tree with light bluish-green bark. It is excellent in desert landscapes as a shade or feature plant. It provides dramatic bloom in spring when the tree is covered with yellow flowers for about a month. The tree drops its flowers, fruit pods, and leaves creating litter. This tree also has thorns. The plant originates in Mexico, Peru and Ecuador.

Leonotis nepetifolia / Klip Dagga / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Bald head, Bald Rush, Bird honey, Christmas candlestick, Gros bouton, Gros tête, Hollowstalk, Johnny Collins, Klip Dagga, Lion's ear, Lion's Tail, Lulyolwasebe, Man Piabba, Pompon soldat, Rubim and Tolonga.

Leonotis nepetifolia / Klip Dagga / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Bald head, Bald Rush, Bird honey, Christmas candlestick, Gros bouton, Gros tête, Hollowstalk, Johnny Collins, Klip Dagga, Lion's ear, Lion's Tail, Lulyolwasebe, Man Piabba, Pompon soldat, Rubim and Tolonga.

Leonotis nepetifolia / Klip Dagga / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Bald head, Bald Rush, Bird honey, Christmas candlestick, Gros bouton, Gros tête, Hollowstalk, Johnny Collins, Klip Dagga, Lion's ear, Lion's Tail, Lulyolwasebe, Man Piabba, Pompon soldat, Rubim and Tolonga.

Leonotis nepetifolia / Klip Dagga / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Bald head, Bald Rush, Bird honey, Christmas candlestick, Gros bouton, Gros tête, Hollowstalk, Johnny Collins, Klip Dagga, Lion's ear, Lion's Tail, Lulyolwasebe, Man Piabba, Pompon soldat, Rubim and Tolonga.

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Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Bald head, Bald Rush, Bird honey, Christmas candlestick, Gros bouton, Gros tête, Hollowstalk, Johnny Collins, Klip Dagga, Lion's ear, Lion's Tail, Lulyolwasebe, Man Piabba, Pompon soldat, Rubim and Tolonga.

Leonotis nepetifolia / Klip Dagga / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Bald head, Bald Rush, Bird honey, Christmas candlestick, Gros bouton, Gros tête, Hollowstalk, Johnny Collins, Klip Dagga, Lion's ear, Lion's Tail, Lulyolwasebe, Man Piabba, Pompon soldat, Rubim and Tolonga.

Lavandula angustifolia / Lavender / Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Information

This product is not sold or intended for the purpose of human consumption or cosmetic use. Any information provided about this product on this website, including any links to external websites, are solely intended for historical, scientific and educational purposes and must not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific use of the product. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and the product is not intended to "diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease." The use and application of this product, based on the historical and scientific context provided in the product descriptions and articles, is solely at the customer's risk. This product is a botanical specimen of ethnographic value and interest only and is delivered with no express or implied fitness for any purpose. The product descriptions are compiled from sources we deemed to be reliable up to the date it was written but may contain omissions or errors in fact, or become outdated. It outlines the documented history of uses but should no way be construed to make any medical claims about the ability or efficacy of any of these plants to treat, prevent or mitigate any disease or condition. Although a plant may have a long history of being used for a particular purpose, scientific evidence proving its efficacy for that purpose may be lacking.

Other Names

Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula spica, Lavandula vera, Common Lavender, English lavender, True lavender, Lavendel, Lavanda, Lavandîna, Lavendin, Levandula, Laventeli, Lavandula, Levanta, and Lavender.

Description

Lavender is a very versatile plant. It is widely grown in gardens. Flower spikes are used for dried flower arrangements. The fragrant, pale purple flowers and flower buds are used in potpourri. The flowers yield abundant nectar which yields a high quality honey for beekeepers. Lavender is also used as a herb, either alone or as an ingredient of "Herbes de Provence". Lavender is used to flavour sugar, the product being called "Lavender sugar", and the flowers are sometimes sold in a blend with black tea, as "Lavender tea".
Lavender is known to support relaxation and physical and mental well-being. It also helps digestion.(1) The plant is grown commercially for extraction of Lavender essential oil from the flowers, which is used in medicine and aromatherapy.

Scent

A pleasant sweet fragrance. It has a green, hay-like sweetness and gives "fruity aspects" in perfumes and other scented products. Perfume-note: Middle to Top.

Aromatic Properties

Lavender used in aromatherapy activates the crown chakra and stimulates activity of the medulla oblongata, bringing mental alertness. It is cleansing to all meridians and can be used effectively running the meridians. It can help open visionary states and helps establish emotional balance. Effective in meditation to determine the emotional blocks or conflicts that are creating health problems. Promotes consciousness, health, love, and peace. Calming, helps relieve pain.

Contents

The primary components of Lavender oil are linalool and linalyl acetate. Other components include alpha-pinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, cis- and trans-ocimene, 3-octanone, camphor, caryophyllene, terpinen-4-ol and lavendulyl acetate.

Synergic Combinations

Blends well with: Bergamot, Clove, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, Patchouli, Clary Sage, Rose, Jasmine, Citrus Oils, Chamomile, Geranium.

Historical

The historic use and recognition of Lavender is almost as old the history of man. As a herb, Lavender has been in documented use for over 2,500 years. In ancient times Lavender was used for mummification and perfume by the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and peoples of Arabia. The ancient Greeks called the lavender herb "Nardus", after the Syrian city of Naarda. It was also commonly called "Nard". During Roman times, flowers were sold for 100 denarii per pound, which was about the same as a month's wages for a farm labourer, or fifty haircuts from the local barber. When the Roman Empire conquered southern Britain, the Romans introduced Lavender.
The name Lavender comes from the Latin root Lavare , which means "to wash." Lavender most likely earned this name because it was frequently used in baths to help purify the body and spirit.
During the height of the Plague, glove makers would scent their leathers with Lavender oil, and this was claimed to ward off the Plague. This story could have some validity as the Plague was transmitted by fleas, which Lavender is known to repel.
Royal history also is filled with stories of Lavender use. Charles VI of France demanded Lavender filled pillows wherever he went. Queen Elizabeth I of England required Lavender conserve at the royal table. She also wanted fresh Lavender flowers available every day of the year, a daunting task for a gardener if you consider the climate of England. Louis XIV also loved Lavender and bathed in water scented with it.
Also called spike oil, Lavender oil is used as a medium in oil painting. Because more common painting oils (e.g. linseed) smell unpleasant, several artists prefer mixing their pigments with spike oil.

Health Warnings

Some individuals may develop an allergic reaction to Lavender. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should avoid using Lavender.

Plant Description

It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant. It is popular for its colourful flowers, its fragrance and its ability to survive with low water consumption. It is a strongly aromatic shrub growing to 1-2m tall. The leaves are evergreen, 2-6cm long and 4-6mm broad. The flowers are pinkish-purple (lavender-coloured), produced on spikes 2-8cm long at the top of slender leafless stems 10-30cm long.

References

(1) Document: NL E4-0-C-REF, Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
(-) Lavender, University of Maryland Medical Center
(-) Lavenders, A Modern Herbal, by Margaret Grieve
(-) King's American Dispensatory, Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D., 1898
(-) Lavender, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia