Its Use in Medicine.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 41, 20 March 1930, Page 9

Its Use in Medicine.

The volatile oil of Lavender has been used as a carminative and for use in nerve troubles. Lavender oil is used in pharmaceutical preparations to disguise the smell of ointments, etc. Spirit of Lavender, prepared from the essen? tial oil, is used as a remedy for various complaints, and as a tonic when f aintness comes on, in the same -way as sal-volatile, for nervous palpitation, giddiness, colic and spasms. It has the effect of promoting appetite, is refreshing, and revives the spirits. It is a cure for flatulence and toothache. It is given in drops (1-4) on sugar, or in.a spoonful (or two) of .milk. A tincture of red Lavender made from oil of Lavender, Rosmary, Cinnamon bark, Nutmeg, and red Sandalwood, macerated in spirits of wine for a week, is used for faintness (a teaspoonful in water) Bed Lavender lozenges are stimiiilating and pleasant to the taste. The tincture in former days was known as Palsy Drops, and used as a stimulant in cases of hysteria, debility,nervous exhaustion. A decoction of Lavender, Hore&ound, Fennel, Asparagus root, and Cinnamon, was used in Gulpepper 's day I for epilepsy and giddiness. Oil of L»-

vender is useful for mental disorder, and a few drops rubbed on the temple

cures nervous headache. Too strong an infusion 'of the tea causes colic, and too strong, a dose of Lavender oil, being narcotic, is poisonous, a few drops toeing siifficient for any purpose, as when concentrated it is "fierce and piercing." Ruibbed on the limbs, Lavender oil stimulates revived action in cases of paralysis, and Olemn Spieae has been used for sprains and stiffness. Local pain is relieved by a fomentation of ihot Lavender. Distilled Lavender water is used for gargling, .and for the loss of voice or hoarseness. Lavender water is improved by the addition of Musk. Lavender oil was used during the war asan antiseptic for wounds, for sores, varicose ulcers, burns, and seal is. Essence of Lavender in France is used for bruises^ bites, and all sorts of aches. The veterinary surgeon uses the oil to kill lice and other parasites, and it is, a useful germ-killer and used to kill worms. Oil of spiked Lavender has a icamphoraeeous aToma and is used in veterinary work fot paralysis. It forms a part of the composition of some varnish.es and lacquers, with oil of turpentine, and is used for porcelain painting. Much is used to perfume soap. The growth of hair is promoted by spike lavender oil.

La vender ftowe*s, when driei, ate used to-prevent attacks of moth and other insects, to disinfect stuffy rooms, t0 keep away flies and mosquitoes. Oil of Lavender on cotton-wool in a bag keeps a room, where it is hung up, free from flies. Bubbed on the skin, midges, gnats, and mosquitoes are kept away. Flowers and leaves are used in the preparation of snuffs, ointments are made from the stalks, w&ich, when burnt, are used to deodorise a room, having a greater •erupy-r&.eumatie flavor.

French Lavender is inferior to English. But if French oil of Lavender da diluted with a third its bulk of spirits and kept for two or three years it im-

pToves.