Did you know these lavender facts?

• The word lavender comes from the Latin word lavare – to wash.
• In the 1920’s French chemist Rene Gattefosse accidentally plunged his severely burned hand into lavender oil instead of water.  The pain eased and the burn healed quickly.  He later published his research under the title of Aromatherapie and is now recognized as the founder of aromatherapy.
• Queen Victoria insisted that lavender be used in every room … servants were even instructed to use lavender when washing floors.
• Queen Elizabeth I drank lavender tea to control her migraine headaches, enjoyed lavender conserve at the royal table and wore the scent as perfume.
• Lavender has been used as an herb for over 2,500 years.
• The ancient Phoenicians and Egyptians used lavender for perfume and for mummification.
• “Woodsy”, “sweet”, “herbaceous”, “pungent”, “citrus” and “floral” are characteristics that are used to describe lavender.
• Grosso (technically a hybrid of English lavender L. augustifoia) was named after Pierre Grosso who first selected this species.  It is vibrant in both color and aroma and is an excellent choice for cut flowers and highly aromatic essential oil.
• Lavender is native to the Mediterranean and thrives in the hot, dry climate. In fact, it hates wet feet.
• The aromatic lavender flower has natural antiseptic and astringent properties that folk healers recognized centuries ago.
• The scent of lavender does not reduce pain but it does mitigate stress and anxiety … thus it helps to soften the memory of uncomfortable events.
• Set a bowl of lavender in a sunny window … the warmth of the sun will help to draw out the lavender aroma.
• Potpourris are said to not only freshen the air but to “lift the spirit.”

courtesy New Oak Ranch, Ojai CA