 Tweet (NewsTarget) Lavender is one of the most popular herbs of all and an asset to any herb garden. Used for centuries for its sedative, antiseptic and insect repelling properties, lavender can also be used in cooking and baking. Try lavender to combat seasonal coughs and sore throats. There are many different species of the lavender plant, such as English lavender (lavandula angustifolia), L. vera, L. spica and French lavender (Lavandula dentata). Spike lavender (L. latifolia) is particularly fragrant. Lavender honey for coughs A home-made cough syrup made with lavender flowers and raw honey makes a soothing, natural remedy for coughs. Honey should not be given to children younger than a year, so reserve this for older children and adults. Take a cup of honey and add 2 tablespoons of lavender flowers. Allow to stand for 2 days, and then strain the honey into a glass jar. When coughing is severe, take a teaspoon or two of the lavender honey mixture. Lavender essential oil for coughs and flu Added in a vaporizer, lavender essential oil can help to combat coughs and colds. It is also useful for other respiratory problems such as throat infections, flu, tonsillitis, laryngitis and/or sinus congestion. In addition to vaporizers and inhalers, a few drops of lavender oil can be rubbed directly on the chest, neck or back or be diluted first using a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil. Try adding 2 - 4 drops of lavender oil in a basin of boiling water and inhale the vapors for headaches or congestion. Add 6 - 8 drops of therapeutic grade lavender essential oil to bath water to aid aching muscles and fatigue. As with many other essential oils, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using lavender essential oil. Lavender tea for headaches, fatigue and stress Lavender tea is useful to relieve headaches and exhaustion, promote sleep and relieve anxiety. Pour 250ml (1 cup) of boiling water over 2 fresh lavender sprays or 2 - 4 teaspoons lavender flowers stripped of their stems. Allow to stand for five minutes. Strain and sweeten with raw honey if desired. Home made lavender water mouthwash Lavender water makes an excellent mouthwash. Simply boil 2 cups of lavender flowers in water, cool and strain. Place the flowers in a jar and cover with 300ml of apple cider vinegar. Leave for a week, strain the liquid through muslin and discard the lavender flowers; then, bottle. Sources: http://www.kedemherbs.com/hk/en/healing-with... http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/scientific-am... http://www.netherfield.co.nz/lavender-uses.p... http://www.google.co.bw/search?q=lavandula+a... About the author Fleur Hupston is a professional freelance writer. She is passionate about natural, healthy living and is currently studying to be a naturopath. She divides her time between writing for selfnews and various other sites, home schooling her children and studying part time. 