Benefits of Lavender, Part DEUX

Today, lavender is most commonly used for anxiety, depression, mental exhaustion, insomnia, scrapes and wounds, digestive problems, headaches, skin problems and women's health problems. In addi­tion to this, lavender can be used to treat exhaustion, heat exposure, fevers, aches and pains, over­ex­ertion, jet lag, rashes, sprains, sunburn, sunstroke, bruises and burns. It can also be used as a disin­fectant and insect repellant. Lavender is an antiseptic, natural antibiotic, sedative, detoxifier.

Anxiety and depression. The essential oil of lavender has a calming, sedative, and anti­convulsive ef­fect. It can also increase the effectiveness of other relaxants.

Insomnia. A study conducted at the University of Leicester in England showed that the use of lavender essential oil is just as effective in promoting sound sleep as traditional medication. In fact, many British hospitals offer their patients lavender pillows to help with sleeplessness.

Scrapes and wounds. Lavender essential oil has very powerful antiseptic properties. Applying it to wounds can not only increase cell growth causing the wound to heal faster, but it also decreases the appearance of scars. The oils anti­microbial action protects scrapes and wounds from infection, while allowing them heal.

Digestive problems. Lavender has also been endorsed by Germany's Commission E to treat all sorts of stomach and digestive disorders. It soothes the lining of the digestive tract and promotes the secre­tion of bile, which helps the body digest fats. In addition to this, lavender can also relieve gas pres­sure and constipation.

Until next time.....Got Lavender?

Ever Wonder What the Benefits of Lavender Were?

I'm sure many of you stay up at night wondering what the benefits of lavender may be and why so many people around the globe use lavender on a daily basis. Well I'm here to share some light on the subject. The following is the first in a series of lavender tidbits from: www.hubpages.com, Castleman, Michael. The New Healing Herbs. U.S.A and Canada: Rodale Press, 2001, Worwood, Valerie Ann. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy. Novato, CA: New World Library, 1991. Keller, Erich. Aromatherapy Handbook for Beauty, Hair, and Skin Care.

Lavender flowers have long since been used to treat digestive problems, insomnia, anxiety, and rest­lessness. Until World War I, lavender was used to treat and disinfect wounds. For centuries, English farmers would place lavender flowers in their hats to prevent headache and sunstroke. Women would place sachets of lavender in their closets and wardrobes for fragrance, in addition to using it in potpourri.

Hospitals used lavender as an antiseptic and disinfectant to sterilize surfaces and equipment.
Today, lavender is used in much of the same way, for many of the same reasons. Both the flowers of the plant and the essential oils derived from the plant can be used for therapeutic uses.

According to the book The New Healing Herbs, the essential oils extracted from the flowers contain more than 150 compounds. Lavender essential oil is easily and quickly absorbed into the skin, and can be detected in the blood in as little as 5 minutes. Got Lavender?

Guess Who Found a New Home at the Purple Ranch?

Remember the old 1970s TV commercial with Morris the Cat? I think he was selling Purina Cat Chow. Anyway, he has been found after all these years. He is now living under one of our buildings at the Purple Ranch Lavender Farm! Well who would have thought that? Not I. Well I guess he can keep the 3 farm dogs company out on the Ranch. Got Lavender?

Marketing Specific Inc. Unveils New Packaging for Purple Ranch Lavender Farm

Ok, something a little more serious from me. Today the Purple Ranch Lavender Farm expanded into whole new level.....the PR Victorian Collection. We hired an amazing company called, Marketing Specific Inc., to design the new packaging and this is what they came up with. Pretty cool.

We will be marketing only 16 of our current products under the PR Victorian Collection at this point. These products will far exceed what you have come to expect from Purple Ranch by changing formulas and adding even more 100% lavender essential oil to the product line.

Purple Ranch Lavender Farm will start distributing our PR Victorian Collection through the Dallas Market Center at KAM&Company. Got Lavender?

Elivs Has Been Found at Purple Ranch!!!

The mystery has been solved! Elvis was found this past weekend at the Purple Ranch Lavender Farm booth in Jefferson, Texas. The Purple Ranch Hands were minding our own business, selling lavender products to the Mardi Gras revellers, when suddenly Elivs put down his peanut butter and nanna sandwich long enough to sniff the lavender oil. The Purple Ranch will be at the North Texas Irish Festival this weekend at Fair Park in Dallas. Come join us as you never know who might show up! Got Lavender? or a Jelly Donut?

Rosemary Blooming at Purple Ranch

Have you ever seen Rosemary blooming? Did you even know that Rosemary bloomed? I know I didn't, but it does. Actually "Mom" Hand can get anything to grow that she touches, including Rosemary. I'm not sure if it is Mom Magic or she just has that special green thumb that everything she touches blooms! Got Lavender?

Its Beginning to Look Alot Like a Lavender Christmas!

As the Purple Ranch Hands are busy winterizing the Purple Ranch Lavender Farm, we are preparing for the Christmas Season as well. All of our products can be sold individually or in ready to go Christmas Gift Boxes. Got Lavender?

Purple Ranch Booth, New Photos

Recently the Purple Ranch Hands participated in the State Fair of Texas and various other fairs in and around Texas. We have updated our booth so I thought I would show you a few photos. Got Lavender?

Purple Ranch Lavender Wands in Living Color

Well as I previously stated, weaving lavender wands can only be done during harvest time when the lavender is cut fresh; otherwise the stems are way too brittle and can break. So, I thought I would share some photos of Bren and Mom actually weaving the wands to give you an idea what it looks like. On average a wand can take up to an hour to weave, but when you have a bunch of people weaving, the time just seems to fly by. Got Lavender?

Purple Ranch as Far as the Eyes Can See!

Today was all about cutting lavender and weaving wands (see blog on June 8th) and with so much fresh lavender to choose from, it was pretty easy. We had a bunch of Purple Ranchers on site today to weave including my friend Jewels. She is quite the weaver and her wands put mine to shame. Actually I am beginning to think that the lavender fields are magical because you can go through and cut an entire row (did I mention that you have to cut each lavender bloom by hand with a pair of scissors?) and turn around and it looks like you didn't even touch it. Bizarre. Got Lavender?

Purple Ranch Moseys to the Waxahachie Gingerbread Trail

This weekend was the 40th Annual Gingerbread Trail and Arts Show in Waxahachie, Texas and the Purple Ranch Hands decided to mosey south to partake in the festivities. As usual, we had a great time, met lots of fine folks, and eduated many on the art of lavender wand making. Since the lavender is in bloom, and wands can only be made when it is fresh, we were able to start making wands at the booth. Many curious people stopped by to see our talents and we were able to teach them how to weave. Since I used to live and work in Waxahachie, I was able to visit with many people that I haven't seen in years....it was like a reunion of sorts.....and I was very glad we made the trip. Also lets not forget the yummy dinner we had at The Rockett Cafe, home of the Best Chicken Fried Steak in Texas! Got Lavender?

Abe Standing Tall

Now how cool is this? Abe Bigoda standing very proud and tall overlooking the lavender fields? He is almost complete except for some cosmetic improvements, but for the most part it would take more than a Level 5 tornado to rock his world. My favorite part of the day has always been sunset and now with the fields in bloom and Abe available, I love to sit on one of his benches and smell the lavender and watch the sky turn the same color. Got Lavender?

Lavender Field of Dreams

Do you remember the movie, "Field of Dreams" with Kevin Costner? One of my favorite movies....anyway, towards the end of the movie, the voice says, "if you build it, they will come." Well yesterday at the official Purple Ranch Lavender Farm Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Royse City Chamber of Commerce, exactly that happened. It was straight out of the end of the movie. We were preparing for the arrival of everyone and suddenly we went from having no one at the farm, to a stream of cars coming from both directions turning into the driveway. It was an amazing sight. As you can see from the photo to the right, Abe Bigoda served as a great gathering place and the lavender in full bloom behind him, served as a great backdrop. Got Lavender?

Lavender is Blooming!

Guess what time of year it is? Lavender Blooming Season! The Purple Ranch Lavender Farm is turning purple before our very eyes. The fields aren't in full bloom yet, but within a few weeks, it will be amazing. I thought you would like to see a photo. Got Lavender?

Purple Ranch Tribute to Mandy Puppy

No you aren't losing your mind.....Mandy Puppy was not raised from the dead. This is the official Purple Ranch Tribute to Amanda May II, a.k.a, Mandy Puppy.....a life size ceramic of Mandy that is by her gravesite. It is so life-like that people who have visited the Ranch have actually sat in their cars and watched her to see if it is ok to proceed as they did not realize that she wasn't real. I am very proud that she has a prominent place on the Ranch guarding the lavender and the inhabitants. I want to personally thank all the Purple Ranch Hands that contributed to Mandy's tribute. You will never truly know how much this means to me. Got lavender?

Purple Ranch Sleeper

Well as a Purple Rancher, your job is never done. Some times, we get so tired, we just fall asleep standing up! Ok, just kidding. Here is Bren modeling our Purple Ranch Lavender Mask. It is filled with lavender buds and is used in spas and for home therapy. Bren put it on and wham! she was relaxed. Got Lavender?

Lavender Grapefruit Has Arrived!

At Purple Ranch Lavender Farm we try to be innovative and listen
to our customers with regards to new products and services. One of the many requests was a new soap using a combination of lavender and grapefruit to compliment our very popular Lavender Lemongrass Liquid Soap. Well not only did we create a new Lavender Grapefruit Liquid Soap, but a new bar soap as well. It is very light and refreshing and we have many men customers who just love it! If you haven't swung by any of our booths to try it, you can always order it on line at www.purpleranch.com. Got Lavender?

Purple Ranch Hits a Double Hitter

Today was a double hitter for the Purple Ranch Lavender Farm. Some of the Purple Ranch Hands stayed in the Dallas area and worked the Swiss Avenue Tour of Homes Arts and Crafts Fair and some traveled to the 118th Annual Maifest in Brenham. Mother's Day weekend turned out to be a great weekend for all. If you missed us, you can always order products on line at http://www.purpleranch.com/ or see our calender for details of our next event: the 40th Annual Gingerbread Trail in Waxahachie, Texas in June. Got Lavender?

Ladies Night Out in The Woodlands Included Purple Ranch

Last night Purple Ranch Lavender Farm ventured down to The Woodlands, outside of Houston, for the The Ladies Night Out which is held each year to benefit the Montgomery County Youth Services. We had a fantastic turnout and met a lot of great people. If you missed this event, the Purple Ranch Hands are taken it to the streets once again this Mother's Day weekend in both Dallas, the Swiss Avenue Home Tour and Arts Festival, and in Brenham at the 118th Maifest. You can get more details at http://www.purpleranch.com/calendar/ Got Lavender?

Purple Ranch Lavender Buds

The fields are all a buzz at Purple Ranch Lavender Farm as the first signs of lavender are starting to bud out. As the month of May progresses, more and more lavender will show up on the plants and before you know it, the entire field will be purple with color. I just love springtime on Purple Ranch! Got Lavender?