【Lavender: A Beautiful Flower with Medicinal Properties】

Lavender is not only a beautiful flower that people can admire, but also a medicinal herb. Both the stems and leaves can be used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat colds and flu. Recently, there was news about "Pu'er tea being punished for adding lavender". Does lavender have toxicity?

【Pu'er tea punished for adding lavender, ordered to compensate tenfold】

A man from Liaoning named Xu bought lavender Pu'er tea online and found out that it contained lavender. He sued for a refund and requested tenfold compensation.

In April 2015, Xu reported the sale of lavender-added products by the Mo Yin Company to the Shanghai Minhang District Market Supervision Administration based on the explanation of the national relevant department regarding the inappropriateness of using lavender and soy isoflavones as common food ingredients. The administration investigated the case and filed it in August 2015.

In July 2016, the Shanghai Minhang District Market Supervision Administration made an administrative penalty decision, punishing Mo Yin Company for selling food products made from ingredients that had not undergone safety evaluations.

In 2017, Xu sued Mo Yin Company in court, demanding a refund and tenfold compensation, totaling 32,560 yuan.

The court ruled that the focus of the dispute in this case is whether the addition of lavender in the products complies with national food safety standards.

In this case, although Mo Yin Company provided evidence that lavender is edible according to the vegetable industry standards published by the national relevant department, lavender is also recognized as a medicinal herb in the "Pharmaceutical Standards" issued by the same department. Moreover, it is not listed as an item that is both a food and a medicine in the "Notice on Further Regulating the Management of Health Food Ingredients" issued by the national relevant department. Therefore, adding lavender to ordinary food is not allowed according to food safety standards.

【Effects and uses of lavender】

The main components of lavender oil are linalyl acetate and linalool. The aromatic components are lavandulol and linalyl acetate. Lavender is mainly used in the perfume and soap industries; in medicine, it is used as a stimulant and flavor modifier; it can also be used as a coloring agent for porcelain painting; and it is an excellent source of nectar for bees.

1. Digestive and analgesic properties

Lavender has been widely used in medicine for its digestive, diaphoretic, and analgesic properties. It is an effective remedy for treating colds, abdominal pain, and eczema.

2. Heat-clearing and detoxifying effects

Lavender essential oil can clear heat, detoxify, clean the skin, control oil, lighten spots, whiten the skin, reduce wrinkles, eliminate eye bags and dark circles, as well as promote the regeneration and recovery of damaged tissues.

3. Hormonal regulation

Lavender powder can treat acne, nourish hair, relieve pain and calm nerves, regulate hormones, nourish and beautify the skin, calm and soothe, fade scars, remove acne marks, improve sleep, improve women's health, and eliminate depression.

【Methods of consuming lavender】

Lavender rose tea

1. Ingredients

Dried roses, dried lavender (approximately 1:1 ratio)

2. Preparation

1. Rinse the teapot and add roses and lavender.

2. Pour in hot water at around 90 degrees Celsius.

3. Let it sit for a moment until the floral scent spreads, then it can be consumed.

3. Tips

The flowers themselves have fragrance, so try not to add rock sugar.

Lavender particles are small and can be filtered before consumption.

4. Precautions

1. Pregnant women should be cautious with the dosage and avoid excessive consumption or continuous use.

2. When brewing alone, the concentration of the herbal tea should not exceed double strength. When brewing in combination with other ingredients, use a small amount.

3. It is not suitable to drink during working hours as it can make one excessively relaxed. It is suitable for drinking before bedtime.

4. Drinking too much lavender tea can cause mental dullness.