Tea with lavender: benefits and harms for the body

Lavender officinalis in the world is known everywhere. Even if it doesn’t grow in any region, it is necessarily imported there, since this plant is used both as a spice and as a medicine or cosmetic.

Lavender is a shrub with a height of not more than 0.6 m, with a diameter of about 1 m. But breeders were able to breed varieties reaching a height of 2 m. The plant has a straight stem on which the leaves are located - linear and bent with sulphurous pubescence. Its flowering occurs in the summer months. It was at this time that the flower stems were cut, collected in bunches and thoroughly dried.

Lavender is used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetology, perfumes and cooking (as a spice and drink). Many tea lovers prefer to make it from lavender, as it, first of all, has soothing properties - which is so necessary for modern people.

The flowers of the plant are small, bright purple, lilac, with blue hues, have a strong aroma, spicy taste with a sense of bitterness.

Composition and calorie content

The flowers of the plant have a very high content of essential oil - up to 3%, in the leaves - up to 0.35%, in the stems - up to 0.20%. The most valuable component of lavender essential oil is linalyl acetate (up to 50%). Scientists have proven that this substance is a powerful stimulator of the regenerative functions of cells.

The plant contains such beneficial substances:

1. Cineol. It is an excellent antiseptic, helps get rid of sputum.
2. Tannin. It has a positive effect in inflammatory and infectious lesions, ulcers and burns of the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and larynx. Effective in the period of poisoning with salts of heavy metals.
3. Citral Refers to antiseptic substances, has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It cures inflammatory processes in the eye area.
4. Ursulic acid. It has a beneficial effect on human health due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities. It exhibits pacemaker and anti-atherosclerotic effects, fights with tumor neoplasms.
5. Valeric acid. Needed to stimulate colon motility.
6. Caproic acid. Helps the normal functioning of the circulatory system, enhances the detoxification function of the liver, destroys influenza viruses in the early stages.
7. Triterpene compounds. In fact, these are biologically active carbon compounds. It is necessary for the human body to fight against tumors, germs and various viruses.
8. Tannins. They have a hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, astringent effect, block the influence of pathogenic flora. They contribute to the speedy healing of wounds, and also have a firming effect on the walls of blood vessels. A special film with a protective base is formed on the gastric mucosa, which prevents inflammation and damage.
9. Borneol. First of all, it is a wonderful antiseptic, which has an analgesic and tonic effect, helps to get rid of stress and relieve nervous tension, tones up heart activity. It is able to improve blood circulation, stimulate digestion.
10. Coumarin. Slows down the process of blood coagulation, has a special aroma.
11. Organic acids. Their important role is manifested in metabolic processes.
12. Mineral salts. Each cell of the body needs these substances, otherwise a person may die. They take an active part in life, normalize many functions, promote hematopoiesis and tissue regeneration, and maintain alkaline-acid balance.
13. Lavandulol. Obtained from essential oil. Has a bactericidal effect. Most often it is an integral component of perfumery products.
14. Bitterness. They have a tonic and restorative effect on people. They are used if it is necessary to establish the process of digestion, with exhaustion, neurasthenia or loss of strength. Stimulate and restore metabolic processes.
15. Resin. It treats skin diseases, inflammatory processes of the respiratory tract, some stomach problems, heals the intestinal microflora.

Calorie content of dried lavender - 23 kcal per 100 g. Proteins - 4 g, fats - 0.7 g, carbohydrates - 0.2 g.

Useful properties of lavender

Due to the presence of valuable substances, this plant:

1. During colds and with flu, it has a healing effect.
2. Normalizes blood circulation.
3. Relieves headache, especially associated with neurological problems and nervous exhaustion.
4. In a short time restores strength.
5. Helps with acute rheumatism.
6. Removes bouts of irritability and anxiety.
7. Relieves fatigue, removes a state of aggressiveness.
8. It fights insomnia and treats eating disorders.
9. It has carminative qualities and increases the acidity of gastric juice.
10. Improves blood circulation and relieves bronchospasm.
11. It is an excellent stimulator of blood circulation in the brain.
12. Removes toxic substances from the body.
13. Promotes the fastest healing of bruises or burns, purulent wounds or boils, acne and sprains.
14. It is an anthelmintic.
15. It relaxes blood vessels and muscles located in the head, neck and around the eyes, helps to get rid of twitching of the eyelid.

What is useful tea with lavender

Tea made on the basis of lavender has a unique taste and special aroma. Here tartness and bitterness harmonize, which give the drink piquancy. But at the same time, there is a sweetness in the tea, which remains for some time after preparation.

For women

Many women suffer from premenstrual migraines, but lavender tea will help get rid of these painful symptoms. Lavender contains a small number of prototypes of female hormones, so with gynecological diseases it is necessary to drink such tea every day. To do this, pour half a teaspoon of crushed flowers with 200 ml of boiling water, add honey, let it brew for 10 minutes. By the way, such tea is useful during colds or as a prophylactic.

Such a drink helps many women during menopause, relieving stress and excessive irritability.

For men

The invaluable effect of lavender tea is that it benefits patients suffering from prostatitis or prostate adenoma. The fact is that the plant affects the genitourinary system, relieving pain during urination, and stops inflammation. After prolonged physical exertion, a drink with lavender will help restore strength. You can make baths for tired legs - they will relieve tension and relieve muscle cramps.

During pregnancy

During the period of gestation, it is better not to take tea from lavender, since a high content of active substances and compounds can adversely affect the development of the fetus. It is proved that the essential oils that make up the plant provoke a reduction in the smooth muscles of the uterus.This can lead to a miscarriage.

When breastfeeding

Lavender tea should be taken with great care and in very small doses. It is better to abandon it in the first 3 months after birth, since it can cause an allergic reaction in the baby. But such tea will be useful if cracks have formed on the nipples. Lubricating the affected areas with this herbal drink, you can achieve a quick healing of wounds. In lavender, there is a special substance - citral, which when applied to the skin is not absorbed.

For kids

For children, lavender poses a certain threat. In boys, the plant is able to inhibit male hormones, stimulating the activity of women, which is highly undesirable. For hyperactive children with increased excitability, lavender and aromatherapy baths will be useful.

At the first symptoms of a cold or a viral infection, inhalation with lavender will help. But before using the plant as a medicine for children, it is always necessary to consult a doctor.

Tea with lavender in medicine

Doctors often advise using lavender tea as an effective diuretic.

The drink is often used:

1. If necessary, relieve nervous tension from a person, increase endurance, performance and activity.
2. With the complex therapy of cardiovascular diseases.
3. As an addition to medications for paralysis after a stroke.
4. With indigestion or bloating, intestinal ailments or colic.

There are courses of treatment developed by doctors namely herbal decoctions and tea.

Harm and contraindications

Any herbal tea can cause side effects. Lavender is no exception.

1. Such a drink is not recommended for people with a tendency to high blood pressure, especially if they take medications with a significant content of iodine or iron.
2. Due to the high content of biologically active substances (and there are about 250 of them in the plant), an uncontrolled addiction to tea from lavender can provoke an allergic reaction. It manifests itself in the form of a rash on the skin, headache, chills, dizziness, or vomiting and nausea.
3. If lavender tea is consumed frequently and in large quantities, gastrointestinal, colic, and cramping disorders in the stomach may occur.

Doctors warn that tea from lavender should not be drunk:

• people with liver pathologies;
• pregnant women and women during lactation;
• children;
• patients with increased acidity of gastric juice;
• persons with low blood pressure;
• patients undergoing surgery.

Lavender Tea Recipes

1. Dry tea is usually used for tea, and each housewife has her own cooking secrets. But there is a classic recipe: 1-2 tablespoons of flowers in a glass of boiling water. To make tea pleased with its taste and useful properties, it is brewed for 10-15 minutes.
2. A concentrated drink is prepared a little differently. 5-6 tablespoons of chopped flowers are taken on a glass of boiling water. Usually such a strong tea is used if the throat is sore, as well as lotions for treating and disinfecting wounds and burns, and rinsing the hair.
3. If treatment for digestive disorders is necessary, traditional healers offer this recipe: pour 200 ml of boiling water over one teaspoon of flowers, let it brew for 5 minutes under a closed lid. You get a fragrant and tasty drink that should be taken twice a day. To make the taste more refreshing and tender, you can add a small amount of peppermint.
4. If a person has cataracts, it can be combated with lavender tea. To do this, you need fennel seeds and crushed dried leaves of lavender - half a teaspoon each.It is advisable to pre-calcinate the fennel seeds in a pan until they acquire a light golden hue. Mix the components and place in a container. Pour boiling water and let it brew for five minutes. When the drink is infused, it can be drunk both hot and cold.
5. Stomach cramps can be treated with a brewed drink: pour a teaspoon of crushed flowers with a glass of boiling water. After 10 minutes, the tea is ready. To drink several days, two glasses a day.
6. To prevent colds, or at the first symptoms, you should take lavender (several branches with flowers), place in a liter container and pour boiling water. When the drink becomes warm, add a tablespoon of honey and half a teaspoon of vodka. Drink tea, lie down, take cover and fall asleep.

Brew tea from lavender should be in porcelain or glassware, pre-heating the wall with boiling water. You can use the plant many times, but each time you need to increase the time of infusion.

Interesting facts about lavender

1. No wonder lavender has such a name. After all, it arose from the Latin verb "lava", which means "wash." When bathing, the ancient Romans added this plant to the bath, which gave the skin freshness, a healthy appearance and a wonderful aroma.
2. The clergy respected lavender, believing that it was able to put the devil himself to flight. Therefore, Catholic priests necessarily used this plant when shaking hands, and parishioners wore crosses made from inflorescences.
3. The wonderful unique aroma, as legend has it, was presented to the plant by the Virgin Mary as a token of gratitude after she quickly dried the clothes of tiny Jesus on lavender bushes.
4. According to experts, lavender tea has amazing properties: it helps self-knowledge and can relieve envy.
5. They use the plant in various magic rituals. For example, they take an odd number of branches, brew in the classical way, drink some, and wipe the face with the remaining amount, pronouncing the treasured words. So, say magicians, you can remove even the most dangerous damage.

Nowadays, lavender is remembered at the festival dedicated to this plant. It opens every year in many countries, but is especially popular in Provence, where huge farmland and whole fields are located, on which a myriad of fragrant flowers bloom every summer. Of course, first of all, this event is commercial: profitable deals are made here. But for tourists who are looking forward to the next festival, there are many surprises associated with lavender. Many are also attracted to trips to lavender fields. Culinary specialists prepare various dishes with the plant - from salads to desserts and unusual sweets, as well as drinks, including alcohol. A large assortment of perfumed and cosmetic products.

Photo of lavender tea