Lavender is an evergreen plant. Lavender flowers exude a strong and pleasant aroma, and, depending on the type, they can be used in various fields - for the manufacture of essential oils, perfumes, soaps, colognes or lotions, for decorating the interior and gardens or fighting insects. Narrow-leaved lavender refers to medicinal varieties, it is used both in traditional and in folk medicine. There are no contraindications to the use of the plant, except that individual intolerance to the substances contained in the flowers - essential oil, coumarin, flavonoids, phytosterols.
Narrow-leaved lavender is a half-shrub plant up to half a meter high. The stems are erect, the arrangement of 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 aroma, narrow-leaved lavender was known even by the ancient Romans. It was used to take aromatic baths, considering the plant an excellent way to maintain 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 burning candle-pill, and insects within a radius of 5 meters will not bother. True, this method is suitable for an open veranda or terrace, as well as a well-ventilated room. To prevent mosquitoes from disturbing the room, a little lavender essential oil should be applied to the wrists and elbows .
But lavender is narrow-leaved and products made from it are used not only to repel insects. Alcohol tincture is used for grinding and compresses for rheumatism. In Germany, doctors prescribe the flowers of this plant to be added to tea for symptoms of a nervous breakdown such as insomnia, lack of appetite, anxiety, flatulence, and nervous irritation. In folk medicine, narrow-leaved lavender is also used for diseases such 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 landscaping: breaking down fragrant gardens, rose gardens, decorating garden paths, arranging benches or arbors. It looks great as a hedge, especially during the flowering period that occurs in the second half of summer.
Lavender can be
grown with seeds or petioles. Seeds are planted in the second half of autumn. For growing indoors, 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 mid-spring, plants are planted in a permanent place.
When grafting, the lignified stem is bent to the ground and instilled. After a year, the rooted new plant is separated from the old and transplanted to the intended site. Narrow-leaf lavender does not require special primers or special care. Adult plants practically do not need watering. After flowering, it is necessary to cut off dried inflorescences, and for the winter cover with spruce branches or dry leaves.