Lavender - History, Lore and Uses

The name Lavender was given to this plant; the name thought probably to have come from either the Latin verb 'lavare' (to wash) or 'livendulo' (livid or bluish). The Greeks referred to it as Nardus after Naardus in Syria, and Indian people called it Spikenard, which referred to the shape of its flowers.

HISTORY

The Ancient World

Egypt

In ancient Egypt, lavender was used for embalming and cosmetics. Jars filled with ungents containing something resembling lavender were found on the opening of Tutankhamen's tomb. Used only by the royal families and high priests, these ungents were present in cosmetics, massage oils and medicines. Solid cones were placed on the heads of the wealthy and as they melted, covered their bodies with perfume.

Greece

The Greeks learned a lot from the Egyptians regarding perfumes and the use of aromatics. Unlike the ancient Egyptians who annointed their heads, Greek Philosopher, Diogenes preferred to annoint his feet saying, "When you annoint your head with perfume, it flies away in the air and birds only get the benefit of it, whilst if I rub it on my lower limbs, it envelopes my whole body and gratefully, ascends to my nose." Anacreon recommended that the breasts be annointed, since it was said they were the seat of the heart.

Rome

Ancient Romans used lavender for its healing and antiseptic qualities, for deterring insects and in washing. The first written record of lavender's healing uses appears to be that of Greek Military Physician, Dioscorides, in 77AD. A Military Physician under the Roman Emperor, Nero, Dioscordes collected medicinal plants from the Mediterranean area. He noted that when taken internally, lavender relieved indigestion, headaches and sore throats, and externally, it was useful for cleaning wounds and burns or treating skin ailments. Roman soldiers took lavender on campaigns to dress war wounds. Also, lavender was strewn on the floor to sweeten the air, fumigate sick rooms and as incense for religious ceremonies. Pliny the Elder, a Greek writer and encyclopedist noted its benefits in helping with menstrual problems, upset stomachs, kidney disorders, jaundice, dropsy and treatment of insect bites. Romans lavishly perfumed themselves using aromatic oils to perfume their bodies, hair, clothes, bed, baths, military flags and the walls of their houses. One of their most famous scented oils was Nardinum, which included lavender. Women hung lavender next to their beds to incite the passions.

The Middle Ages

Lavender was little used in the Dark Ages, except by monks and nuns, with monasteries preserving the knowledge of herbal lore in their physics gardens. In 812AD, under an edict of the Holy Roman Empire, they were charged with growing vegetables, medicinal plants, flowers and trees, whilst copying ancient manuscripts and recording the medicinal effects of various plants. Lavender was one of the listed herbs as being grown at Merton Abbey, later to become the centre of lavender production in England - Mitcham. Merton Priory's records first mentioned lavender in 1301 as being used to raise money for King Edward I.

The plant experienced a renaissance in Tudor England, when Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries and lavender moved to domestic gardens. The Ladies of the Manor had several uses for it; it was placed among linens, sewn into sweet bags, used to freshen the air and mixed with beeswax to make furniture polish. It was traditionally planted near the laundry rooms and linens and clothing laid over the plants to dry whilst absorbing the lavender's fresh odour. It was also used to repel insects.

Queen Elizabeth I loved lavender, and used it in tea to treat her frequent migraines and as a perfume. (Lavender is one of the oldest perfumes used in England). She encouraged the development of lavender farms, and Henrietta Marie, wife of King Charles I, brought cosmetics to the English court, using lavender in perfumed soaps pot pourris and water for washing and bathing.

King Charles VI of France, had his seat cushions stuffed with lavender. In the twelfth century. Hildegard of Bingen noted that oil of lavender was effective in the treatment of head lice and fleas.

The Renaissance

Lavender was regarded as an effective, reliable protection against infection in 16th Century France. Glovemakers who were licensed to perfume their wares with lavender, often seemed to escape cholera. Most herbals contained lavender as a cure-all in the 17th Century. Great interest was generated in the plant and lavender street sellers were evident. Prices were high during the Great Plague of 1665, as lavender was thought to protect agains this terrible disease. Graverobbers washed plague victims' belongings in Four Thieves Vinegar, which contained lavender.

The Victorian Era

Queen Victoria enthused in the use of lavender, appointing Miss Sarah Sprules 'Purvey of Lavender Essence to the Queen'. Lavender was very fashionable amongst the ladies. They bought it from street sellers who brought the lavender up from Mitcham. Fresh lavender was dried and put into muslin bags for wardrobes, used to wash walls and furniture and for lavender bags which were stuffed between sheets in linen presses. It was used to repel insects, treat lice, to perfume potpourri, in furniture polish and soap, as well as a cure-all in household medicine cupboards. Smaller bags were worn in the cleavage of young women in the hope of attracting a suitor. The overuse of lavender contributed to its loss of popularity in the early 20th Century, when it became associated with old ladies.

Mitcham, a London suburb, was the centre of Lavender Oil production, English lavender products becoming well known all over the world. Production almost died out because of the pressure high land values in Mitcham, Wallington and Carshalton.

In the U.S.A., Shakers grew lavender commercially, which was popular in gift items and medicines.

Modern Era

One of the founders of modern day aromatherapy, Rene Gattefosse, badly burned his hand one day whilst working in his lab. He used lavender oil; the pain stopped and the wound healed quickly, with no infection or scarring, thus verifying the plant's healing properties. Lavender was used to dress war wounds in WW1, when medical antiseptics were in short supply.

Provence now leads the field in lavender production, the Romans having first brought it to the area. 20th Century shepherds collected it to sell to perfumeries of Grasse and just prior to WW1, perfumers and the French Government saw lavender as a means of preventing people from leaving the area, so they cleared the almond orchards and planted lavender. Other producers are Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Bulgaria, Australia, Japanan, America and Canada.

Today, lavender is used to induce sleep, ease stress and relieve depression. It is also used as a tea, for compresses for dressing wounds and to apply to the forehead to relieve congestion on sinuses, headaches, hangovers, tiredness, tension and exhaustion.

Medicinal Uses

Internal

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Exhaustion
• Irritability
• Headache
• Migraine
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Colds
• Digestion
• Flatulance
• Upset Stomach
• Liver and Gall Bladder Problems
• Nervousness
• Loss of Appetite
• Breath Freshener and Mouthwash

For internal use, it is not recommended that you use the essential oil unless you have a home still and knowledge of the distillation process and can make your own. You cannot be sure how purchased oil was grown and using it could make you very nauseous. However, lavender flowers make a relaxing and refreshing tea which has the same basic medicinal properties. A weak infusion sweetened with honey was a traditional treatment for insomnia, irritability and nervous headache. Lavender acts as a sedative to both the nervous system and the respiratory tract.

Inhaling the essential oil has been used to induce relaxation and sleep, ease symptoms of depression and reduce headache pain. Its sedative action is amazingly strong and often, just by opening a bottle of oil in a confined space, people in the room visibly relax.

Externally lavender oil is one of the safest essential oils and can be used full strength on the skin. It works well and can be applied directly for cuts, scrapes, wounds, burns, bee, wasp, and insect stings, rashes, muscle aches, rheumatism, arthritis, cold sores, canker sores, blisters, bruises, athlete's foot, and rubbed directly into the temples in case of headache or migraine. A few drops of oil rubbed on the temples was considered effective for insomnia and nervous headache.

Lavender Sleep Pillow

3 parts lavender flowers

hop flowers or lemon verbena leaves

rosemary leaves

marjoram leaves

sweet Cicely leaves

2-3 drop lavender oil Sew the mixture into a bag made of thin material which will allow the fragrance to escape, for example, organza or muslin, silk is ideal. Make a pillow slip to contain the sleep pillow.

Lavender Antiseptic Cream

125 g white wax

500 g sweet almond oil

370 g distilled water

10 g essential oil of lavender

2.5 g spike oil Grate the white wax into chips. Warm the almond oil very gently. Place the wax in a container in a water bath and heat gently until melted. Remove from water. Add oils gradually while constantly whisking the mixture. Finally, add water slowly, continue whisking. Set aside to cool and solidify. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.

Lavender Ointment

60 g beeswax

25 drops essential oil of lavender

10 drops essential oil of lemon or neroli

5 drops essential oil of thyme

2 T. oil of lavender

Warm the beeswax in a small pot in pan of hot water. When melted, beat in oil of lavender. Then as ointment cools, add essential oils and continue beating until cool. Store in the refrigerator.

Lavender Massage Oil

1 cup safflower or sunflower oil

dried pot marigold petals

12 drops essential oil of rose geranium

12 drops essential oil of lavender

10 drops essential pine oil or oil of cypress Place safflower oil in a glass jar and add as many marigold petals as possible. Cap bottle and place in the sun for 4-5 days. Filter out petals and squeeze any oil from petals before discarding. Oil will now be deep orange. Mix in other oils and store in the refrigerator.

LAVENDER LORE

Legend tells that Adam and Eve took lavender with them when they were banished from the Garden of Eden. It received its distinctive perfume when Mary laid the baby Jesus' clothes on the bush to dry.

Lavender was regarded as a safeguard against evil. A cross of lavender was hung over the door for protection.

In the Apocrypha, Judith anointed herself with lavender to seduce Holofernes, the enemy commander. Once he was under her influence she murdered him to save the city of Jerusalem.

In Tudor times a maiden would sip lavender dew on Saint Luke's day while murmuring: "St. Luke, St. Luke, be kind to me. In my dreams, let my true love see."

Apline girls tucked lavender under their lover's pillows to turn their thoughts to marriage. Once married, they would use lavender to ensure their husbands' marital passion.

Lavender, rosemary and lad's love were dried and mixed together in bags to scent linen & act as a moth repellent. Sprigs were included in posies for visitors in England and colonial America.

Women used to throw linen and clothing over bushes to absorb the scent of lavender as they dried.

Culinary Uses

There are many ways to use lavender in cooking, from putting colour into a salad, to using it to enhance the flavour of meats, such as lamb, and these are not difficult to obtain. I've given a recipe for Lavender Ice Cream here:

RECIPE

Lavender Ice Cream

3/4 cup honey

1 teaspoon dried lavender placed in a tea ball or gause

1 cup half and half

2 cups heavy cream

7 egg yolks

Pour the half and half and the cream into a heavy sauce pan. Add the lavender to this mixture and warm for about 5 minutes. Remove the lavender flowers. Wisk the egg yolks in a bowl until they are frothy. Slowly pour the about half of the warm cream into the mixture of egg yolks as you wisk continuously. Combine the remainder of the yolk and cream mixture into the saucepan and continue to heat on low (stiring constantly) for about 5 minutes. Strain the mixture into a bowl and wisk in the honey. Chill the mixture and then freeze according to the instructions on your ice cream maker.