Meet the plants: lavender

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare.”

― Audre Lorde

Lavandula angustifolio

Lavender was named from the Latin word lavar “to wash.” This plant remains associated with cleanliness, protective potions, warm baths, and its sweet smelling flowers. In ritual, lavender represents love, protection, purification and a vast array of healing qualities. Lavender was used as a “Palsy Drop” by British Pharmacopeia for more than 200 years (until the 1940’s) and as an effective herbal treatment for headaches and muscle spasms.  During the Victorian age, people revived themselves from fainting by sniffing lavender and camphor salts.

Lavender is mostly known for its powerful nervine properties. The plant has over 100 constituents that are relaxing to the nervous system. A clinical trial in 2014 found lavender taken internally to be more effective than placebo or conventional tranquilizer for relieving anxiety. Lavender oil is used to reduce stress, nervousness, insomnia, and anxiety. It does not need to be ingested. The aroma alone has been shown to offer the same healing effects. Lavender is an analgesic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, antitoxin, cordial, nervine, nuero-protectant, insectocidal and diuretic.

This fragrant little flower is used in a variety of culinary dishes around the world. You can find lavender in ice cream, pastries, syrups, spices, chocolates, and drinks. It is a key ingredient in the popular Herbes de Provence blend. The dried bouquets can be made into sachets for eye pillows, drawers, or kept close in jacket pockets. Lavender reminds us to treat our nervous systems with great care, to slow down.

Lavender growing outside Dman’s Altar in New Orleans.

Lavender reminds us to treat our nervous systems with great care and to slow down. This plant approaches emergencies with the same question, how do i stay calm and embodied on every level? 

What does the term “self-care” mean to you? In what ways does it show up in your life?

Is it possible that a fast-paced “efficient” lifestyle not only contributes to poor individual health; but harms our collective well being? Is it possibly that a high paced grind culture is part of the architecture of white-supremacy?

How is staying calm in heated situations a radical act? In what ways do you “pre-meditate” calmness or embodiment?

What does Audre Lorde mean when she says, self-care is an act of political warfare? Hint

Lawrence cutting wild snap dragons from inside a lavender bish at Solitary Gardens.