Lavender Tea

Many years ago, in another lifetime (at least that's how it feels), I had an active interest in "alternative" therapies.

You see, I'd started writing about my mythical island when I was 14 and, even then, I realised that my native society wouldn't have western medicine, so I felt I needed to research and know about herbal therapies and other non-mainstream healing methodologies. In my 20's I trained as an aromatherapist & reflexologist.  In my late 30's I grew to know more and more about manipulating energy, in a healing capacity.

In my early 40's I developed fibromyalgia and pernicious anaemia basically all stemming from a severe bout of food poisoning which ruined my gut lining.  The lining of my gut is leaking - literally, fluid from my intestinal track leaks out into the surrounding muscles giving me a version of a 3 pack - hard lumps where muscle used to be.  Of course such leakage is toxic in and of itself, which isn't helping with trying to maintain muscle.

People ask me - if you can help others heal why can't you heal yourself?  I have no idea, but I've never been able to.

So, I tried medical science - but some don't recognise fibromyalgia.  Some think it's all psychological.  Some think it's a neuro-transmitter issue.  Some think there's a genetic component.  Aside from painkillers, and frequent B12 injections, there is nothing else medical science can do for me.  My GP expects me to be in a wheelchair in 4/5years time.  It's up to me to manage my symptoms and my pain levels - there is nothing anyone can do to help me.

Someone, I can't recall who, suggested I check out an American chap who blames everything on modern living.  Well, I know certain compounds don't help matters any, but, personally, I think it's a bit far fetched to blame everything on tinfoil and artificial sweeteners.  And his universal cure was "fresh" aloe vera.

OK, I have heard a lot of good things about aloe vera, but my interpretation of fresh is completely different to someone who markets a liquid derived in the US and shipped across the world as being "fresh".

But it got me to thinking.  I read in a book about forgotten Scottish herbs about the notion that everywhere that humanity has settled there is a plant for whatever ails you.  That made me think about Aloe Vera and what it can be used for.  Then I started thinking about what I knew of local plant life and I remembered lavender (not the french stuff).  In aromatherapy it is used a lot because it also helps activate other essential oils, makes them more efficacious (love that word).

Ok, so now I have a plant - how do I get the stuff into my gut, heal it from the inside out?  First check literature for contra-indications.  A fair few essential oils you just do NOT take internally because of some of the active chemicals which can, quite effectively, kill you, or do other major damage.

OK, not such a good idea to ingest the actual essential oil.  However, I found recipes for teas and condiments and such, so obviously part of the plant, unprocessed, could be ingested.

Turns out it's the flowers/seed heads.

I have a couple of ordinary lavender plants in the garden.  Finding lavender tea anywhere other than on-line is difficult, so, out to my lavender plant I go.

What dosage?  That's the next question.  One of the reasons I have trouble with herbal medicine is the potential for massive variations in the strength/concentration of the active ingredients.  However, in the absence of any real scientific data one falls back on good old trial and error.

One stalk with maybe a dozen flower heads.  Give a quick rinse under the cold tap (you never know what might be on the flowers, even small as they are) and then into a teapot.  Add freshly boiled water.  How long to steep?  Well, I don't like well brewed tea, so a minute or so.

The liquid has a decidedly green tinge to it but really isn't that strong - excellent, best place to start.

That was just over a week ago.  I have had one cup each day.  Through trial and error I've found that drinking it in the morning is the best idea since it doesn't help me sleep (it does the opposite).  And I've paid close attention to pain and energy levels and how my gut feels.

Some of my joint/muscle/tendon pain is actually worse, but that might be a healing crisis (when things get worse before they they better), Time'll tell.  But my underlying energy is better.  I am exhausted, it's less than a week until my next B12 injection, but it's about 10% less intense than normal.  My gut is less sensitive.  My 3-pack is not as hard.  My emotional state isn't as touchy as it can sometimes be.

So, for now, I think I'll get my ice-cube trays out, pick some more flower heads and freeze them.  Then, when I want a cup of tea all I have to do is get an ice-cube and stick it in the teapot!!  Besides the plants won't be producing flowers for much longer and I cannot be bothered harvesting and drying them (I'm so tired and so it could be classed as lazy, but, if you think that, let me know and I'll glad let you share my existence for a while).  So, ice cubes it is.

Will it work for anyone else?  I have no idea, like I say, my fibro, aneamia and gut issues are specifically linked to the bout of food poisoning in 2009.

Fingers crossed that it continues to work.  But I shall remain watchful - you should never take any chemical long term, that's when side effects happen and sensitivities kick you in the gut.