What's Good About Lavender?

Lavender is one of those plants we take for granted because it seems to be everywhere and in everything—home décor, perfumes, lotions, soaps, cleaning products, cosmetics, personal care items, food—both savory and sweet, and medicinal products. But what do we really know about this fragrant and versatile plant? We did a little surfing and came up with a very long list of good and interesting bits. Enjoy. 

• The scientific name for lavender is lavandula. A good word to know when you’re reading labels—or when you find yourself in Italy.  
• Lavender is a flowering herb & part of the mint family, lamiaceae.
• There are approximately 45 species and over 400 varieties of lavender.
• Lavender plants don't produce seeds! Propagation is done by cutting or root divisions.
• Lavender can grow as an annual or perennial, depending on the species.
• Lavender isn’t picky. It will handle poor soil and neglect as long as it has full sun. Pair it with rosemary and thyme in your herb garden.
• Did you know you can find white, yellow, and pink lavender, too?
• Lavender oil is the most used essential oil in the world!
• Bees and other pollinators love lavender! Beware of pesticides on your plants. Only provide organic pollinating plants and don't put any pesticides on them. 

History

• Lavender comes from the Latin verb lavare, to wash.
• The color lavender actually originates from the ever popular English Lavender, lavandula angustifolfia.  
• Which makes sense because, because ancient Romans used lavender as part of their bathing rituals …not just for its scent, but because of its disinfectant and antiseptic properties.
• Ancient Greeks used lavender to treat insomnia and ease back pain.
• Ancient Egyptians used Lavender to scent oils and embalming for mummification.
• Thirteenth century Europeans wore bracelets made of lavender and placed bunches of lavender at their entrances to protect themselves against plague and other disease.
• During the Renaissance, painters used lavender to improve quality of colors in their painting.
• In Elizabethan times, when baths weren't common practice, lavender was used to perfume clothes and bed linen.
• During the seventeenth century's Bubonic Plague, lavender was also used to ward off disease.
• It’s said that Queen Victoria made had all of her furniture cleaned with a lavender-based solution, and her drink of choice was lavender-infused tea to help ease her stomach.

Symbolism

• Lavender stands for purity, devotion, serenity, and calm. There are hundreds of references to what lavender stands for, these are the most commonly found.
• Lavender, the color, includes a wide spectrum of purple, from pinks to bluish tones to greys.
• Lavender, the color, represents royalty, elegance, optimism, vitality, spirituality. Again, color meaning has many interpretations, however, these are what we found most often.
• It also represents the crown or the 7th chakra, located at the top of the head: the energy center associated with higher purpose and spiritual connectivity. And like lavender, the crown chakra is often used for healing.

Good Uses

• Calming — Lavender’s fragrant scent is said to product a calming effect on us. So whether we're trying to fall asleep, calm the nerves, settle our stomachs, or lift our spirits, add lavender to your routine. There are lots of ways to accomplish this: bunches of lavender in your home, essential oils, candles, perfumes, teas, and the list goes on.
• Pest Repellent —Common pests like mice, mosquitos, and moths don’t like the smell of Lavender.
• Insect Barrier—Lavender can help keep aphids at bay, you’ll find it planted near roses for this reason.   
• Antiseptic, antibacterial, analgesic properties — Lavender is helpful in the treatment of headaches, insect bites, burns, acne, muscle and joint ache, insomnia.
• Headaches — Dab a little lavender oil on your temples; breathe in lavender scents (candles, tea, oils, etc.)
• Culinary—Lavender stems are used similarly to rosemary and thyme, and the buds are used in both sweet and savory dishes and used in teas, and and planted for bees in high quality lavender honey. Herbs de Provence, a centuries old herb mix, uses lavender flowers.
• Laundry—Put a few dabs of organic lavender oil on your dryer balls; As a fabric softener, mix 20 drops of Lavender oil with 1 gallon of vinegar and use ½ cup in your washer’s fabric softener drawer.
• Dish Soap—Mix a few drops with pure castile soap for a fragrant dish washing experience.

There is so much more to share about Lavender, but we have other GOOD news and products to seek out. Suffice to say, Lavender is an herb for all senses, and good go to have in your home both as an oil and a plant. Feel free to add your ideas, uses, recipes below. Plus, it's tea time, Cup of Calm, lavender-mint tea.