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Sonoma Lavender
Family-owned and operated, Sonoma Lavender cultivates about five acres of lavender -- that's about 7,000 lavender plants. Proprietors Rebecca and Gary, along with their two children, plant, tend, harvest, and carefully dry the crop. Then local artisans take over, hand-crafting the company's unique product line, ranging from wreaths and other decorative accessories, to pillows and sachets, to their "spa line" of products for body and bath.
Types of lavender:
If you thought lavender was just, well, lavender, you may be interested to learn that the farm grows three types of lavender, each with its own unique properties. According to owner Rebecca, English lavender, Lavendula angustifolia, has a sweet, flowery aroma and is used in the company's bath products and lotions. 'Provence' and 'Grosso' varieties of lavender, both widely grown in Provence, France, are less floral and more herb-like in fragrance, and lend an appealing but not-too-sweet scent to sachets and pillows.
Lavender's attributes:
What makes lavender so special? First of all, lavender is considered the most important aroma in aromatherapy, an ancient art that is just now becoming popular in this country. Lavender is known for its "balancing" properties. If you are weary and have low energy, lavender is energizing; if you are feeling overstressed, lavender is calming and soothes frazzled nerves. Lavender revitalizes the body and tends the spirit, bringing you back to a state of balance.
The history of lavender's benefits is long and well-documented:
Emotion: With antidepressant and sedative qualities, lavender lifts depression, eases stress and anxiety, and is useful in overcoming headaches, migraine and insomnia.
Insomnia: The sedative quality of lavender can induce sleep and ease problems of insomnia, restlessness and agitation.
Skin: Lavender is antiseptic and anti-inflamatory; healing cuts, burns, sunburns, insect bites, acne, eczema and even dandruff.
Breathing: Lavender is an antiseptic and can kill germs. It is also an expectorant, which breaks up congestion. It can help fight colds, throat infections, coughs, sinusitis and flu.
Circulation: Lavender is a sedative and hypotensive, and reduces high blood pressure and palpitations.
Digestion: Lavender use aids in easing indigestion, flatulence and nausea and alleviates bad breath or tooth ache.
Muscular: Lavender is analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic; the oil is good for aches, pains, sprains, cramps and spasms.
Source: Lavender, Nature's Way to Relaxation and Health by Philippa Waring
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