English Lavender Flower

English Lavender Flower is whole dried bud of Lavandula angustifolia, grown in England and hand-selected for a soft, sweet, herbaceous aroma without the sharp camphor edge of the hybrid lavandins. Offered in a 4oz pouch, a 1LB bag and a 10lb bulk size.

At a glance

• Whole dried bud of Lavandula angustifolia, grown in England
• High linalool and linalyl acetate, only trace camphor
• Tea: 1 teaspoon per 8 oz of just-boiled water, steeped covered 5 minutes
• Also for sachets, bath salts, shortbread and wreaths
• Offered in a 4oz pouch, 1LB bag and 10lb bulk size

The herb. English lavender (true lavender) is a low woody shrub in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to the Mediterranean and long grown in the chalky soils of southern England. Its oil is built on linalool and linalyl acetate, with smaller amounts of 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol, only trace camphor, and coumarins, tannins and rosmarinic acid.

What's in it. Pure dried flower with nothing added.

• Linalool: the soft floral note
• Linalyl acetate: the sweet, slightly fruity top that keeps it rounded rather than sharp
• 1,8-cineole and terpinen-4-ol: a clean, herbal lift
• Tannins and rosmarinic acid: the light astringency in the cup

Dosage and use. Lavender is easily overdone, so start low: 1 teaspoon per 8 oz of just-boiled water, steeped covered 5 minutes, then strained. If it tastes soapy, you used too much or steeped too long. Regular drinkers settle at 1 to 2 teaspoons per 8 oz, steeped 5 to 10 minutes. For aromatherapy, fill a small muslin sachet with a tablespoon or two and tuck it under a pillow or drawer.

What to expect. Users describe a soft, calm feeling with a clean floral aftertaste. It blends with black tea for an Earl Grey style cup, with mint and our Lemon Verbena for a bright tisane, or with chamomile and hops for a bedtime pot.

Side effects. Lavender is well tolerated. Brewed too strong 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.

Interactions and cautions.

• May add to the effect of sedative medications, so use care combining them
• Consult a healthcare professional before regular use if pregnant, nursing or taking any medication
• 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. For the 1LB and 10lb sizes keep a small working jar and leave the main bag closed.

Common questions

• How much lavender do I use for tea? Start with 1 teaspoon per 8 oz of just-boiled water steeped covered 5 minutes, then move up to 1 to 2 teaspoons.
• Why does my lavender tea taste soapy? You used too much flower or steeped it too long, so cut back on one or the other.

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.