We all know how very good lavender is for dealing with anxiety, insomnia, pain and various skin problems. But have you already heard about lavender cotton? Despite of what it’s called, it is not related to lavender that all of us are familiar with. Read on to know more about this beautiful and beneficial yet relatively unknown plant!
Also sometimes called santolina, lavender cotton got its name from the fact that its flowers looks like cotton balls from afar. But there’s one head-scratching fact about this lovely plant: its flowers are pale yellow to bright yellow in color, and nowhere near lavender. And also, the smells of lavender cotton and lavender flowers are not the same.
By the way, the blooms of lavender cotton look like everlasting flowers. And because of its very short stature, lavender cotton is commonly used as a hedge for creating partitions in gardens.
It’s because of the really eye-catching blooms of lavender cotton why it is commonly cultivated for ornamental purposes. However, not too many people are aware that lavender cotton actually possesses medicinal properties. So in other words, this plant with stunning bloom is not only an eye candy, but also an effective healer.
The various parts of lavender cotton that are above ground level are the ones that are commonly employed for various medicinal purposes — the stems, leaves and most especially the flowers. Sometimes they are turned into tea for intake by mouth, other times they are pounded for topical application directly on problem areas.
So without any more ado, let’s check out some of the benefits that lavender cotton is known to bring:
It Treats Indigestion
Usually, lavender cotton is turned into tea and then consumed by those who are having a bout of indigestion. The intake of the said herbal tea is said to encourage the production of digestive juices and enzymes, thus helping to relieve an upset stomach effectively and without any delay.
It Alleviates Jaundice
Jaundice is a fancy medical term for the yellowing of the skin as well as the conjunctiva of the eyes — the mucous membrane that covers your peepers. It’s also a common symptom of problems concerning the liver. Traditional healers recommend lavender cotton for dealing with jaundice, although it is very important for a specialist to have the liver checked in order for the cause of the problem to be tackled, not just one of its symptoms.
It Also Eases Muscle Spasms
Many women are commonly bugged by PMS a few days just before their monthly period arrives. If you are one of them, you may actually count on lavender cotton to manage one of the many pesky nuisances PMS brings, and that is muscle spasms. It’s also said to help with bloating.
It Relieves Joint Inflammation
Pounding the various aerial parts of lavender cotton and applying them directly on the joints is a traditional remedy for easing pain and inflammation of the said areas of the body. The same remedy may be used for dealing with muscles that are feeling sore and achy.
It Wards Off Insect Bites
Last but not least, the pounded aerial parts of lavender cotton may also double as an insect repellant, thanks to the rather strong odor that they emit once pounded.
CAUTION: Prior to using any herb or herbal preparation for any therapeutic or medicinal purpose, it’s always a good idea to let your health care provider know about your plan. This is especially true if you are diagnosed with a medical condition and you are taking medications for it. The same should be done if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Kindly share this article on your various social media sites to let your family members and friends know that lavender cotton is not only a treat for the eyes, but also a threat to many common health concerns!
