Beneficial Blue

Lavender - The Cosmopolitan Herb

The three dozen or more species comprising Genus Lavandula - better known as Lavender - probably originated around the Mediterranean many thousands of years ago. However, appreciation of their numerous beneficial qualities soon brought these herbs into worldwide cultivation. While their common name was long believed to have derived from the Latin verb lavare, meaning to wash, it is now thought that their characteristic hue provided a more likely etymology via the Latin descriptive livere, that is, blueish. In any case, what The Bard famously noted of the rose’s archetypal scent certainly applies with equal or greater force to this gorgeously attractive and highly aromatic plant. And very soon, I am happy to announce, Lucky Six Farms will proudly offer Lavender as a principal component of select smudge wands.

Lavender - A Multistoried History

An entire volume could be penned documenting Lavender’s many and varied uses across the centuries. Its characteristically fragrant essential oil has long been a mainstay of classic perfumes, sachets, soaps, balms, and other popular products. In addition, it has been used to add color and a pleasantly light, sweet flavor to comestibles from cookies to cheese. During World War I, Lavender saw increasing employment in serious medicinal contexts. Tisanes and infusions were successful in providing relief from burns, wounds, and insect bites. From our point of view, however, Lavender’s most intriguing aspect lies in its well-documented ability to calm agitated minds and sooth jangled nerves. In particular, several modern clinical studies have shown it to act as a potent anxiolytic and promoter of sound, restful sleep.

Lavender - Smudge For A New Age

Wiccans, Neo-Pagans, and a range of New-Age spiritual seekers have found smudging with combination bundles of White Sage and Lavender to be powerfully conducive of deep meditative states. Such observations stand to reason, as White Sage is well-known for cleansing and purifying disruptive negative vibrations, and Lavender for supporting stable concentrative effort. Those who wish to observe the remarkable psychic effects of Lavender smudge for themselves can be assured that every component of our wands has been organically wild-crafted with the health of Mother Earth in mind.

By Alan Beck