Lavender: one of Mother Natures wonders

AS THE harvest approaches at Stratford's Lavender Lane, owners Tony and Karen Waterson are looking forward to reaping yet another healthy crop of this fragrant, flexible and generally fabulous flowering perennial shrub.
When Tony and Karen decided to make the move from dairy farming to growing lavender around eight years ago, they knew they were onto a winner and are now the proud owners of 8500 healthy plants set on 2? picturesque acres beneath Mt Egmont/Taranaki.
The couple grow four varieties of the easily recognisable shrub - Lavandula angustifolia 'Pacific blue' and three Lavandula x. intermedia varieties, 'Super', 'Grosso' and 'Impress Purple' and at this time of year, their fields are putting on a magnificent purple display.
"We usually harvest the crop at the end of January or in early February as that's when the crop will be at its sweetest," said Karen.
The crop is steam-distilled on-site, on the same day that it is reaped, which means that the oil that is yielded is fresh and 100% pure Taranaki.
"When the oil is first distilled, it's quite camphorous," said Tony, "so we leave it for a year or longer to age and mellow, which improves its quality."
When the oil is ready, it is used in the production of a wide variety of beauty and general health products, which the couple then sell in their shop along with local art and expertly crafted wooden products, turned by Tony.
Lavender Lane is one of only a handful of lavender distilleries in the country and, when the Watersons aren't using the distilling equipment to make oil from their own plants, use it to produce lavender oil for other growers - presently, they distil for a handful of growers from New Plymouth, Wanganui and Taumaranui.
"Lavender Lane was always intended to be a project for our semi-retirement after we got tired of dairy farming," said Karen, "but it definitely keeps us busy, particularly at this time of year."
Using lavender
Lavender has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries and was considered an essential ingredient of the medicine chest in times gone by.
Traditionally, a weak tea made with lavender flowers and honey has been used as a means to relax and refresh people and treat insomnia, irritability and nervous headaches.
Lavender tea has also been used to aid digestive health as a treatment for upset stomach, loss of appetite and flatulence - it makes a good mouthwash and breath freshener too.
The inhalation of lavender oil is believed to induce relaxation, ease depression and promote sleep - putting a few drops of lavender oil into a bath can be a relaxing and refreshing treat at the end of a hard day.
"Lavender oil was used as an antiseptic during World Wars I and II," said Karen, "and it's excellent as both antibacterial and antifungal too."
"Lavender and Tea Tree oil are the only essential oils that can be applied directly to the skin," said Tony.
"Bees love lavender and it's easy to get stung when I'm working with the plants. I find applying lavender oil to insect bites and stings after they happen stops them stinging immediately."
"It's great for burns too," said Karen, "after you've run the burn under cold water for a while, apply some lavender oil to it. It will help it heal."
Rubbing yourself down with lavender oil before retiring to bed is said to reduce the incidence of nighttime muscle spasms in the legs while rubbing a few drops of lavender oil on your temples will act as a sedative to promote sleep.
Around the home, bundles of dried lavender can be burned as a deodorant and disinfectant in rooms where there are invalids, or the stripped stems burned like incense.
"Sandflies don't like lavender, nor mosquitoes and as a companion plant for around roses, it seems to keep aphids away," said Karen, "and as a draw liner or in a cupboard, it keeps away moths and freshens clothing."
Dried lavender can also be found in special sleep pillows and potpourri for the home.
"Lavender based sprays are good for repelling head lice on people, and fleas on dogs," said Tony, "some organic farmers use a lavender teat-spray on their stock."
Unsweetened cold lavender tea can also be used to make hair stronger and help reduce hair loss and dandruff - in some Arab countries, women use a tonic of basil and lavender to strengthen and perfume their hair.
"Lavender is good for so many things. It really is one of Mother Nature's wonders," said Karen.
At Lavender Lane there are a wide range of products with lavender at heart, including moisturusers, lip balms, talcs, hair and bath products, drawer liners and, of course, essential oil.
If you wish to know more about growing or using lavender, get in touch with the Watersons by calling 765 5133 or via email lavenderlane@clear.net.nz