Ethnobotany Reflection

Ethnobotany is the study of the historical use of plants as medicine and how that applies to modern medicine.[1] It is important to retain knowledge of ancient remedies in order to continue to pass down the knowledge to future generations.[2] Also, it can be important to retain knowledge of ancient remedies in certain areas around the world to prevent loss about certain types of medicine that can be made from that area and the information can continue to stay relevant, in case of an emergency.[3] The central issue that Dr. Balick was trying to solve by creating the manuals in order to have written down information about plant use in areas so that no information will be lost, to keep a record of what has orally been communicated, and to help certain species survive. [4]

One thing that I commonly use that is made by plants is lavender oil for my essential oil diffuser. Most commonly, lavender essential oils are used to alleviate stress, relax, to flavor food, help with pain, use in household products, and use as a pleasant scent in houses.[5] The lavender oil that I use has Lavandula angustifolia, or English lavender.[6] The most common place that English Lavender grows is Europe, specifically France, Italy, and Spain, but it can also be found outside areas of Europe and doesn’t have a problem growing other places.[7]As long as the soil is alkaline and very dry, English lavender is able to grow.[8] English lavender should be harvested before the flowers are blooming by cutting the stems off at the base.[9] English lavender can be harvested if it is found in the wild or if it is being grown for a specific purpose.[10] After cutting the lavender, it should be left out to dry.[11] To create lavender essential oil, the lavender buds must be steam distilled, which is a very lengthy process.[12] The lavender buds are made into steam in order to be turned into an oil, which is liquid.[13] I had never thought about the actual process to make lavender oil before and how complicated it is. There is no real threat to English lavender currently.[14]

[1] Nuwer, “Ancestral Remedies to the Rescue.”

[2] Nuwer, “Ancestral Remedies to the Rescue.”

[3] Nuwer, “Ancestral Remedies to the Rescue.”

[4] Nuwer, “Ancestral Remedies to the Rescue.”

[5]  Patterson, “The Total Guide To Growing, Harvesting, & Using Lavender.”

[6] Aronsson and Turonova, “Lavandula angustifolia.”

[7] Aronsson and Turonova, “Lavandula angustifolia.”

[8] Patterson, “The Total Guide To Growing, Harvesting, & Using Lavender.”

[9] Patterson, “The Total Guide To Growing, Harvesting, & Using Lavender.”

[10] Aronsson and Turonova, “Lavandula angustifolia.”

[11] Patterson, “The Total Guide To Growing, Harvesting, & Using Lavender.”

[12] Forney, “Making Lavender Oil.”

[13] Forney, “Making Lavender Oil.”

[14] Aronsson and Turonova, “Lavandula angustifolia.”

 

 

Bibliography

Aronsson, M., and D. Turonova. “Lavandula angustifolia.” International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/203244/0 (accessed September 16, 2018).

Forney, Julie Martens. “Making Lavender Oil.” Scripps Networks, LLC, https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/herbs/making-lavender-oil (accessed September 16, 2018).

Nuwer, Rachel. “Ancestral Remedies to the Rescue.” The New York Times Company, https://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/01/ancestral-remedies-to-the-rescue/?mtrref=undefined (accessed September 16, 2018).

Patterson, Susan. “The Total Guide To Growing, Harvesting, & Using Lavender.” Natural Living Ideas, https://www.naturallivingideas.com/the-total-guide-to-growing-harvesting-using-lavender/ (accessed September 16, 2018).