I have known for a long time that a mixture of lavender and mint essential oils relieved my headaches, but I had never thought of coughs and colds. This article includes some wonderful uses for this fragrant flower. I may just have to start growing my own lavender!
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 coughsA 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 fluAdded 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 stressLavender 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 mouthwashLavender 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/hea...http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/scie...http://www.netherfield.co.nz/lavend...http://www.google.co.bw/search?q=la... 
