Saturday, January 10, 2009

The Lavender



Because of its elevation, mild climate and temperature, and fertile volcanic soil, Bandung highland is a very good place for agriculture. A lot of non-native plants grow well here, including a lot of varieties of flowers like this lavender, which is grown in several places in the northern hills of Bandung. This particular patch of lavender garden is part of the recreational and educational camping ground at Vin's Berry Park at Cisarua where my son and his classmates were camping a few weeks ago.

Lavender (the generic name for the 39 species of the flowering plant of the lavandula genus), by the way, is a native plant of the Mediterranean, parts of Africa, the Middle East, and India. It has a variety of uses. Its dried petals, for example, can be placed in the wardrobe to keep the clothes fresh and fragrant and repel moths. The oil extracted from its flowers is believed to have antiseptic property and is good for aromatherapy. In addition, lavender flowers are also rich in nectar that is a good feed for honey producing bees. (Bees fed with lavender nectar is believed to produce high quality honey.) In some countries like France, lavender is also used as some sort of "spice" for a variety of dishes, and even made into syrup (French lavender syrup).

Lavender is also believed (and has scientifically been proven) to have medicinal properties. A particular species of it, lavandula angustifolia, or the English lavender, has long been used to make balms and salves that can reduce inflammation and soothe and heal insect bites. Furthermore, its fragrant oil has the soothing property that can help reduce headache and naturally induce better sleep.

Despite its proven medicinal properties, however, it should be noted that lavender oil is also a very powerful allergen. Therefore, those who are prone to or suffering from allergies should avoid it.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

you have lavender, how wonderful!!!

Anonymous said...

I didn't realise lavender was grown in your part of the world. Fields of lavender are so beautiful to see. Not the biggest fan of the perfume though.

Unknown said...

WOW..Eki, beautiful lavendars. We have some grown on the highlands but not such a big field like this. Must be magical smelling them. Selamat hari Ahad :D

Hilda said...

I love the scent of lavender! This field must have smelled wonderful! (Aside from looking so beautiful.)

escape said...

this place is like baguio of the philippines. baguio too has some of the most beautiful flowers in the country.

that place is definitely beautiful!

mizadgreat said...

wowww... purple colour my fovourite....mixing with green....photography is the way to appriciate our Creator.....its also dakwah in my religion perpective..keep it up..

rob said...

I can almost smell the lavander! The colors are great.

Anonymous said...

love lavender
love purple

Catherine said...

Love that color.
Here, in South of France, Provence, Lavender is bluer.
Very informative post.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful place for your son to camp. I bet they had a wonderful time. I love lavender, but didn't know that it could be a problem for people with allegies..good info Eki!!

J.C. said...

Wow, the whole farm would be smelling nice with so many lavender blooms. I saw some vendors selling them at Tangkuban Perahu. Didn't know there's a farm in Bandung for lavender. I would love to visit it.