A New Sequim Lavender Farm Opens
Sequim is recognized as a leader in lavender agri-tourism and its farms are regarded by industry professionals as having the finest lavender farms in the country. As a member of the Sequim Lavender Farmers Association, Washington Lavender, part of the George Washington Inn and Estate, debuted on the Farm Tour. The visitors flocked to see our farm and many smiling faces were seen throughout the weekend event, even though it rained. A High Tea on the oceanfront piazza with many culinary lavender menu items was a huge hit. Enjoy these pictures of the event.
The new Washington Lavender farm store
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- Washington Lavender Farm Store
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- High Tea at George Washington Inn
High Tea at George Washington Inn
Martha’s Own
Here's a sample of our new label which will debut this summer when Washington Lavender participates in the Sequim Lavender Farm Faire's "Tour of Farms". We hope you like it!
Washington Lavender is a ten acre lavender farm located on the grounds of George Washington Inn and Estate, a Port Angeles Bed and Breakfast located between Sequim and Port Angeles, Washington. Enjoy oceanfront visas in the shadow of the Olympic Mountains and the Olympic National Park.
Tour of Farms
Washington Lavender will participate in the Sequim lavender farms "Tour of Farms" this summer. Much has been accomplished in preparation for this event with a lot remaining yet to be done before the 3rd weekend of July. The owners are excited about this new opportunity to showcase their oceanfront farm as members of the Sequim Lavender Farmers Association which is "dedicated to the core values & original purposes of the legacy lavender farms of the Sequim Valley, known as America's "Provence." Make plans to enjoy the Sequim Lavender Farm Faire on your way to explore the nearby Olympic National Park.
Sequim lavender farms on the "Tour of Farms"
So What’s Special About Lavender?
Sequim, Washington, less than 2 hours from Seattle, has become known as America's "Provence" and is all about growing lavender. Lavender farms bring thousands of tourists to the Olympic Peninsula each summer to experience and savor the lavender harvest. An exciting event will take place this year, the Sequim Lavender Farm Faire, is the 3rd weekend in July (July 15-17, 2011). Washington Lavender, the lavender farm at George Washington Inn & Estate, will be having its debut as a vital part of the "Tour of Farms."
Lavender, also known as Lavandula angustifolia, is one of the most widely used, versatile herbs known today. It is considered a member of the Labiatae family, which also includes mints and the plant originated in England, France, Tasmania, and Yugoslavia. 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. 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, over-exertion, 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 and detoxifier.
Anxiety and depression
The essential oil of lavender has a calming, sedative, and anti-convulsive effect. It can also increase the effectiveness of other relaxants. According to the Smell and Taste Foundation in Chicago, the scent of lavender increases brain waves associated with relaxation. Commission E, the German counterpart of the FDA that regulates herbal remedies, also approves lavender for treating relaxation and restlessness.
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 anti-microbial 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.
Headaches
Massaging lavender oil onto the temples, neck and forehead can relieve neck and head tension and promote relaxation, thus relieving a variety of headaches. Those included are general headaches, gastric headaches, nervous headaches, sinus and tension headaches.
Skin problems
By massaging lavender oil into the skin, it can be used to treat a number of skin problems such as acne, burns, dry skin, eczema, itchy skin, sunburn, seborrhea, and skin inflammation.
Women’s health problems
For pregnancy, lavender can help sooth and relieve flatulence and indigestion. It can diminish the look of stretch marks and scars. It can relieve cramps, edema, exhaustion, infection, breast abscesses, and post-natal depression. A study of lavender by British researchers suggests that using lavender oil during pregnancy and childbirth can help ease delivery pain and promote a speedy recovery. By either adding lavender to the bath or massaging it into the skin, lavender can help relieve pre-menstrual syndrome, and menstrual cramps. It is effective in aiding the treatment of chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, thrush, vaginal infections, inflamed vaginal tissue, vaginitis, cystitis, Raynaud’s Disease, breast abscesses, and cervical cancer. If being treated with radiation for any form of cervical or uterine cancer, lavender oil can prevent and diminish irradiation burns.
The uses of lavender are endless. Lavender is a must-have for all homes because of its calming, antibiotic, antiseptic, disinfectant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. It is good for treating or aiding in the treatment of a number of health problems. By mixing lavender with water, it can be sprayed on surfaces and used as a household disinfectant, and applying it to the skin can deter insects.According to the book The New Healing Herbs, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute believes that a particular compound in lavender, known as perillyl alcohol has been shown to exert remarkable action against a variety of cancer tumors in the breast, lung, liver, colon and pancreas. It is noted that currently, this particular compound is being tested as a possible cancer preventative, as well as treatment.
Applications and safety
Lavender can be applied a number of different ways. It can be massaged onto the skin, placed in diffusers for inhalation, added to baths, added to vaporizers, and mixed with water or other substances for spray purposes.
Lavender is very potent and should always be used sparingly. The oil must always be diluted with water or a carrier oil such as olive, jojoba, avocado, or grape seed oil. Never place lavender oil directly on the skin without diluting it. Lavender flowers can be placed in sachets, potpourri, heat packs, ice packs and wraps. Lavender is safe for most anyone. The flowers remain effective long after they have dried. To store lavender, both the oil and flowers should be placed in a dark, glass container, away from direct sunlight or heat.
Lavender is an extremely useful, beneficial and versatile herb. It can be used to therapeutically treat a variety of ailments, contains antibiotic, antiseptic, disinfectant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, is safe for most all adults, has a pleasant aroma and calming qualities. Lavender is truly a must for every home and should become an excellent addition to the first aid kit.
(Adapted from http://realbodyawarness.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/food-info/)
A Letter From Helen
Helen writes a monthly letter to cheer up her many friends who see their years slipping by & may need some sunshine on their day. We're grateful for her friendship!
Dear Friends:
George Washington Inn is an exciting bed and breakfast situated majestically along the Strait of Juan de Fuca between Port Angeles and Sequim. It is located on a lavender farm at the foot Washington's snow-capped Olympic Mountains. The country setting is pristine, and across the sea is the shimmering city of Victoria, BC. Deer graze contentedly on the lawns as an eagle soars overhead.
The bed and breakfast was inspired by Mount Vernon and built as a replica of George Washington's Virginia home in honor of the first president''s faith and legacy. Mount Vernon is located on the banks of the Potomac near Alexandria. It began as a humble home with no resemblance to the mansion that thousands visit each year.
Lawrence Washington, George's half brother, received the estate from his father in 1740. He named it after Adm. Edward Vernon, Lawrence's commander in the British Navy. George leased the house from Lawrence's widow in 1754 and later inherited the property. At that time the mansion consisted of 4 rooms and a central passage on the first floor and 3 bedrooms on the second. George added a 2-storey porch or piazza, a cupola, and the crowning touch - the golden dove of peace weather vane. When George lived there it was on an 8,000 acre plantation, which was divided into fice functioning farms, each a complete unit with overseer, slaves, livestock, and equipment buildings.
George and Martha moved in with Martha's two children. He hoped to be a gentleman farmer, but soon accepted various roles as a public servant. People flocked to their elegant estate. One year they had 700 visitors who stayed an average of 7-10 days! After serving his country in many positions he returned to Mount Vernon, but his retirement years were brief. He had been a general, the first president of the United States, and when was asked which was his most important occupation, he said "farming." He died at Mount Vernon on December 14, 1799. He left an astounding mark on American history, setting exemplary roles for those who would follow. He believed, "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."
Mount Vernon is the most popular historical estate in America. Tourists flock there each year to experience what life was like when George and Martha lived there. More than a dozen outbuildings, slave quarters, kitchens, stables, greenhouses, and beautiful gardens can be seen.
Our local Mount Vernon (George Washington Inn) is experiencing some changes as it is being readied for the Lavender Faire in July. New lavender is being planted in a unique maize which will encourage visitors to walk the paths in the lavender fields. The admitting room for house guests is being modified with a new counter and special equipment. Glenn has been working hard on the cabinets in this room making them fit the design originally built into the Inn. Gifts and products grown on the farm are on display, and can be purchased by house guests and visitors. Paintings, books, lavender products, and George Washington memorabilia are available in the lobby gift shop.
The hosts, Dan and Janet Abbott, continue to improve the facilities of their Inn. Janet serves a wonderful American-style breakfast, which serves George Washington Coffee, their own special blend. When Glenn and I visited we watched 2 fawns appear out of nowhere, hungry and ready to be fed by their mother. It's always a joy to take visitors down Finn Hall Road past George Washington Inn, and hear them say, "It looks just like Mount Vernon!"
Best wishes!
Helen Garner
Original Letter from Helen Garner
Lavender Blue
Lavender Blue
- Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, lavender's green,
- When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen.
- Who told you so, dilly, dilly, who told you so?
- 'Twas my own heart, dilly, dilly, that told me so.
- Call up your men, dilly, dilly, set them to work
- Some with a rake, dilly, dilly, some with a fork.
- Some to make hay, dilly, dilly, some to thresh corn.
- While you and I, dilly, dilly, keep ourselves warm.
- Lavender's green, dilly, dilly, Lavender's blue,
- If you love me, dilly, dilly, I will love you.
- Let the birds sing, dilly, dilly, And the lambs play;
- We shall be safe, dilly, dilly, out of harm's way.
- I love to dance, dilly, dilly, I love to sing;
- When I am queen, dilly, dilly, You'll be my king.
- Who told me so, dilly, dilly, Who told me so?
- I told myself, dilly, dilly, I told me so.
"Lavender Blue", also called "Lavender's Blue", is an old English folk song dating back to the 17th century. It can have up to 30 verses.
Here are some links to more of Jackie Oates' music:
Hyperboreans - Personal introduction & samples of some of her songs
Rogue's March, etc. - A great interview at the end of the clip
Enjoy another old 78 rpm rendition sung by Sammy Kaye: Lavender Blue by Sammy Kaye
The Sequim Valley
Less than 20 years ago, lavender was introduced to the Sequim-Dungeness Valley of Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Nestled between the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains, this rain-shadow creates an ideal microclimate for growing lavender. Old dairy farms were subdivided and converted to smaller lavender farms. Our valley, with a minimal amount of rainfall and lots of sun, is similar to the Provence region of France where this aromatic herb is native.
Many people have discovered this "Provence" of North America and have retired to this scenic area. The Sequim-Dungeness Valley is also a great place to visit while you enjoy the nearby Olympic National Park or take the scenic loop around the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.
Welcome to Washington Lavender
Washington Lavender, home of fine Martha Washington Lavender products, is a lavender farm found on ten acres of oceanfront farmland overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca near Sequim, Washington. Located in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, the rich soil and the ideal microclimate of this Olympic Peninsula locale makes a perfect environment for lavender farming. Sequim has become known as the Provence of North America. Here you can enhance your senses in fields of lavender, surrounded by a panorama of unparalled views.
Located on the George Washington Inn & Estate, Washington Lavender seeks to produce the finest essential oil and lavender products that have made this "Lavender Capital of North America" famous. Agriculture was a passion of George Washington at Mount Vernon, and we seek to emulate his quest for the best stewardship of this rich farmland.
Come enjoy the incredible views and the summer scent of lavender that fills the air with an intoxicating sweetness.
