NW Stress Relieving Plant
Do you have a boy a little boy that can’t sit still, maybe a grandmother with dementia who is constantly agitated or even a horse that’s a handful? Well stay tuned on today’s Open Range I’m Susan Allen and I’ll be back with one plant that grows profusely throughout our region, (both arid and wet) that could help elevate these problems. Throughout time, humans have turned to the medicinal qualities of plants. Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with Nard, the Greek name for an herb and flower that is common throughout the Northwest, lavender. In wonderful memory that the disciple John recorded for all of us he recalled that the house was "filled with the fragrance of the perfume." With the scent of Lavender. The Shakers were the first to grow lavender in America and found it soothed and calmed people. Being from the mint family lavender has been found to slow down heart rate and blood pressure putting people and I might add ,animals in a more relaxed stated. A 2007 study found that lavender-scented bath oil helped babies cry less and sleep deeply. There are lavender filled pillows for toddlers and my mother-in-law’s care center uses a lavender water they spray throughout the room when the Alzheimer’s residents become stressed. Finally, for those of you struggling with a high strung horse try mixing lavender, basil and sesame seed oil. I rub it on my hands before I work with a nervous nelly and often around the horse's muzzle Just a little tip I learned from the good folks at that rehabilitate race horses. I’m Susan allen
