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Desert Lavender Bee sage
Labiatae – Mint family
Description As a member of the Mint family, Desert lavender has the typical square stem-opposite leaf setup. The leaves and young stems are covered with a wooly pubescence. The flowers are purplish-blue and are arranged in clusters among the upper leaves or in terminal spikes. Desert lavender is a medium to large sized shrub that when flowering attracts a whole assortment of pollinators, particularly bees. When the plant is in full bloom the lavender scent is heady.
Distribution From 4,000 feet and below Desert lavender is found from southern parts of the California Desert, north to southern Nevada, and east throughout much of southwestern Arizona and southern New Mexico. At lower elevations Desert lavender is commonly found along washes on alluvial fans. Where it is slightly colder at higher elevations, the plant prefers rock and boulder strewn foothills where it receives extra sustaining warmth. The rocks warmed by the sun during the day act as atmospheric heating blankets enabling Desert lavender and other warmth loving plants such as Brittlebush to thrive.
Chemistry General essential oil content for the genus: a-pinene, b-pinene, thymol, and rosmarinic acid; lignans; flavonoids
Medicinal Uses Desert lavender is a sedative of mild strength. Like Verbena, a distant cousin, its sedation on the central nervous system makes usage appropriate in times of emotional stress and anxiety. It is particularly useful as a sudorific in febrile states when the skin is hot and dry and the mind and body are tired and restless. A cup or two of the hot tea is a sure way to break a mild to moderate fever.
Topical application of Desert lavender makes an excellent injury dressing. Many Mint family plants contain aromatic oils that are antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. Desert lavender is no exception to this. These properties lend themselves well in limiting bacterial growth, capillary bed inflammation, and subsequent leakage. A salve or poultice applied to burns, contusions, cuts, and other injuries speeds healing. For Candida flare-ups, the leaf infusion applied as a wash to involved tissues will help speed resolution. Sitting in a warm sitz bath of tea for 15-20 minutes is one of the better methods of directly limiting Candida growth affecting vaginal and urethral tissues.
For inflammatory conditions of the stomach such as gastritis and peptic ulcer Desert lavender has the distinct effect of not only reducing inflammation (through several mechanisms, but notably by inhibiting pro-inflammatory prostaglandin synthesis) but also of reducing hyper-secretions of the stomach. Hydrochloric acid secretion is lowered with internal usage of the plant making these overly acidic, hyper-secretory conditions more apt to heal.
Indications Anxiety/tension/sleeplessness Fever, dry, moderate temperature Gastritis/peptic ulcer Burns/cuts/scrapes (external) Candida infections (external)
Collection Gather the plant in the spring or summer when growth is new. Crush a leaf – it should be hydrated and lavender scented. Collect the leaves and flowers since these parts have the greatest concentration of medicinal aromatics.
Preparations and Dosage Leaf infusion: 4-8 ounces 2-3 times daily FPT/DPT (60% alcohol): 30-60 drops 2-3 times daily
Cautions It is unwise to use during pregnancy due to Desert lavender’s array of uterine stimulating aromatics. |