English Lavender Flower

English Lavender Flower: Our English Lavender Flower is whole dried bud of Lavandula angustifolia, grown in the English countryside and carefully selected by hand for its gentle fragrance and its never-fading look. Lavender is graded on the scent of the oil and the color of the calyx, and this flower holds both: a soft, sweet, herbaceous aroma without the sharp camphor edge of the hybrid lavandins, and a deep violet-blue bud that keeps its color in the jar. We pack it in small runs so the volatile oils stay lively. It is offered in a 4oz pouch, a 1LB bag for regular tea drinkers and sachet makers, and a 10lb bulk size for blenders, soapmakers, florists and shops.

The herb: English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia, or true lavender) is a low woody shrub in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to the dry, sunny hills of the Mediterranean. Its name comes from the Latin lavare, to wash, after the Roman habit of scenting baths with it. It thrived in the chalky soils of southern England, which is why English-grown lavender became the standard for perfumers and herbalists alike. The flower carries an essential oil built mainly on linalool and linalyl acetate, the two compounds behind the classic sweet lavender scent, with smaller amounts of 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol and only trace camphor, alongside coumarins, tannins and rosmarinic acid. That high linalool, low camphor balance separates true English lavender from the harsher French lavandin, and it is why it has been traditionally used for generations in tea, in linen cupboards and in the bedroom to calm and settle.

What's in it: Pure dried flower with nothing added. Linalool contributes the soft floral note and the gentle, easing quality people notice from the aroma alone; linalyl acetate adds the sweet, slightly fruity top that makes English lavender smell rounded rather than sharp; 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol give a clean, herbal lift; and the tannins and rosmarinic acid provide the light astringency you taste in the cup.

Dosage, first time: For tea, lavender is potent and easily overdone, so start at the low end: 1 teaspoon of flower per 8 oz of just-boiled water, steeped covered for 5 minutes, then strained. The cup is pale gold, floral and lightly sweet; if it tastes soapy, you have used too much or steeped too long. A single evening cup is the right way to meet it for the first time. For aromatherapy, fill a small muslin sachet with a tablespoon or two and tuck it under a pillow, into a drawer or into the linen closet.

Regular use: Regular drinkers settle at 1 to 2 teaspoons per 8 oz, steeped 5 to 10 minutes, usually as an afternoon or evening cup. The flower blends beautifully with black tea for an Earl Grey style cup, with mint and our Lemon Verbena for a bright afternoon tisane, or with chamomile and hops for a bedtime pot. Outside the teapot, the buds go into sachets, bath salts, shortbread and dried wreaths.

What to expect: Users describe a soft, calm, unhurried feeling after a cup of lavender tea, the edge taken off and the shoulders dropping, with a clean floral aftertaste. As an aroma under the pillow, people describe an easier wind-down and a more restful evening. It suits a quiet afternoon, the hour before bed or a bath. It is not a sedating herb and not a daytime energizer; it is a gentle aromatic that works best as part of a routine.

Side effects: Lavender is well tolerated in tea and sachet use. Brewed too strong or taken in large amounts it can bring mild digestive upset, a bitter aftertaste or, in scent-sensitive people, a mild headache. The concentrated essential oil can irritate sensitive skin, so use the bud itself in baths. Do not drive if a strong cup makes you sleepy. Reduce the amount or stop use if anything feels off.

Interactions and cautions: Lavender's relaxing quality may add to the effect of sedative medications, so use care combining them. Consult a healthcare professional before regular use if you are pregnant, nursing or taking any medication, and discontinue use two weeks before scheduled surgery.

Ingredients and storage: Dried English lavender flower (Lavandula angustifolia). Store sealed in a cool, dry, dark place; light fades the color and warmth drives off the oils. Reseal tightly after every use, and for the 1LB and 10lb sizes keep a small working jar and leave the main bag closed.

Common questions: How much English lavender flower do I use for tea? Start with 1 teaspoon per 8 oz of just-boiled water steeped covered for 5 minutes, and move up to 1 to 2 teaspoons once you know how it suits you. Why does my lavender tea taste soapy? You have used too much flower or steeped it too long, so cut back on one or the other. What is the difference between English lavender and lavandin? English Lavandula angustifolia is high in linalool with only trace camphor, giving a sweeter, softer scent than the harsher French lavandin hybrids.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Lavender is a traditional botanical, and traditional use does not establish that it will produce any particular result. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you take any medication or have a medical condition. Use at your own risk and keep out of reach of children. Formulated by Healing Herbals, run by a practicing herbalist of 13+ years.