Romans used lavendar oils for bathing, cooking, and scenting the air, and they most likely gave it the Latin root from which we derive the modern name (either lavare--to wash, or livendula--livid or bluish). The flower's soothing "tonic" qualities, the insect-repellent effects of the strong scent, and the use of the dried plant in smoking mixtures also added to the value of the herb in ancient times..
Perhaps first domesticated by the Arabians, lavendar spread across Europe from Greece. Around 600 BC, lavendar may have come from the Greek Hyeres Islands into France and is now common in France, Spain, Italy and England. The 'English' lavendar varieties were not locally developed in England but rather introduced in the 1600s, right around the time the first lavendar plants were making their way to the Americas. In Medieval and Renaissance Europe, the washing women were known as "lavendars" and they used lavendar to scent drawers and dried the laundry on lavendar bushes. Also during this time, lavendar was grown in so-called "infirmarian's gardens" in monasteries, along with many other medicinal herbs. According to the German nun Hildegard of Bingen, who lived from 1098-1179, lavendar "water,"--a decoction of vodka, gin, or brandy mixed with lavendar--is great for migraine headaches.European royal history is also filled with stories of lavendar use. Charles VI of France demanded lavendar-filled pillows wherever he went. Queen Elizabeth I of England required lavendar conserve at the royal table. She also wanted fresh lavendar flowers available every day of the year, a daunting task for a gardener if you consider the climate of England. Louis XIV also loved lavendar and bathed in water scented with it. Queen Victoria used a lavendar deodorant, and both Elizabeth I and II used products from the famous lavendar company, Yardley and Co. of London.
Lavendar is a unique fragrance produced by the combination of 180 different constituents and is widely used in the perfume industry to add a top or middle note to commercial products. In the world of professional sniffers, it has a green, hay-like sweetness and gives "fruity aspects" to perfumes and other scented products. Lavendar is widely grown in England for commercial use, and the Provence region of France is renowned as a world leader in growing and producing lavendar.
In the United States and Canada, the Shakers were the first to grow lavendar commercially. A strict sect of English Quakers who most likely had little use for lavendar's amorous qualities (they were celibate), they developed herb farms upon their arrival from England. They produced their own herbs and medicines and sold them to the "outside world." Later a New York advertising firm picked them up and sold the simple products worldwide.
As an herbal medicine, lavender is widely utilized. For soothing, relaxing qualities few herbs can be claimed as effective. Constituents of the oils found in lavendar can treat hyperactiviety; insomnia; flatulence; bacteria, fungus, and microbial activity on gums, airborne molds, and (in mixture with pine, thyme, mint, rosemary, clove, and cinnamon oils) Staphyloccus bacteria.
Lavendar may even be useful against impotence. In a study of men, the scent of pumpkin and lavender rated as the scent found most arousing.
Lavendar and love are an ancient match. In an apocryphal book of the Bible, we again hear of the use of lavendar. Here the story tells us that Judith anointed herself with perfumes including lavendar before seducing Holofernes, the enemy commander. This allowed her to murder him and thus save the City of Jerusalem. The overwhelming power of this seductive scent was also used by Cleopatra to seduce Julius Cesaer and Mark Antony. The Queen of Sheba offered spikenard with frankincense and myrrh to King Solomon
By Tudor times, lavendar brew was being sipped by maidens on St. Lukes day to divine the identity of their true loves. They'd chant, "St. Luke, St. Luke, be kind to me. In my dreams, let me my true love see." Lavendar in the pillows of alpine girls brought hope of romance, while lavendar under the bed of newlyweds ensured passion. Finally, a famous nursery rhyme called "Lavendar Blue, Dilly Dilly" was written in 1680 and talks of "Whilst you and I, diddle, diddle…keep the bed warm." Lavendar-inspired loving strikes again!
(sources: Lavender by Elen Spector Platt and Lavender: Practical Inspirations by Tess Evelegh)
