Difference between revisions of "Lavender" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | + | '''Lavender''' is the common name for any of the various plants of the [[flowring plant]] [[genus]] ''Lavandula'' of the mint family ([[Lamiaceae]]. In particular, the term commonly is used for ''Lavandula angustifolia'' (true lavender or common lavender), which is valued for its fragrant flowers and use as a source of essential oil used in perfumery and various medicinal purposes. Generally the flowers are purple, but also may be pink or white. There are about 25-30 species of lavendula. There term lavender is also used to refer to a pale to light purple or violet color. | |
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| + | ==Description== | ||
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| + | ''Lavandula'' is native across the [[Canary Islands]], North and East [[Africa]], south [[Europe]], and the Mediterranean, [[Arabia]], and [[India]]. Because the cultivated forms are planted in gardens world-wide, they are occasionally found growing wild, as garden escapees, well beyond their natural range. | ||
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| + | The genus includes [[herbaceous]] plants, [[subshrub]]s, and small [[shrub]]s. The various species of lavendual vary somewhat in appearance and aromatic quality (Longe 2005). ''L. augustifolia'' or true lavender is commercial valuable in the perfume industry and is planted in gardens, while ''L. stoechas'', or Spanish or French lavender, is the species probably most used in Roman times as a scenting agent in washing water (Longe 2005) and now used primarily for landscaping. | ||
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| + | Lavender plants have tiny, tubular, generally mauve-blue blossoms (sometimes white) that grow in whorls of six to ten flowers along square stems that form a terminal spike (Longe 2005). The flowers commonly bloom from June to August and are well liked by [[bee]]s and serve as a good source of [[honey]] (Longe 2005). The evergreen, lanceolate, and opposite [[Leaf}leaves]] are needle-like, downy, and tend to be a light, silver-gray (Longe 2005). | ||
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| + | ==History== | ||
| + | [[image:Lavandula_intermedia.jpg|thumb|right|Hardy and disease resistant; ''Lavandula Intermedia'' or Silver Edge lavender]] | ||
| + | The term lavender comes from the Latin ''lavare'', meaning "to wash," reflecting the uses of the Romans (and ancient Greeks) to use lavender blossoms to scent bath water (Longe 2005). The [[Ancient Greece|ancient Greeks]] called the lavender herb ''nardus'', after the Syrian city of Naarda. It was also commonly called ''nard''. | ||
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| + | During [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] times, flowers were sold for 100 ''[[denarii]]'' per [[Ancient Roman units of measurement#Weight|pound]], which was about the same as a month's wages for a farm laborer, or fifty haircuts from the local barber. commonly used in [[Roman bath]]s to scent the water, lavender was thought to restore the skin. When the [[Roman Empire]] conquered southern Britain, the Romans introduced lavender. | ||
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| + | During the height of the [[Black Death|Plague]], glove makers at [[Grasse]] would scent their leathers with [[lavender oil]], and this was claimed to ward off the Plague. This story could have some validity as the Plague was transmitted by [[flea]]s, which lavender is known to repel. | ||
==Uses== | ==Uses== | ||
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== Gallery == | == Gallery == | ||
Revision as of 22:48, 5 August 2007
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About 25-30, including: |
Lavender is the common name for any of the various plants of the flowring plant genus Lavandula of the mint family (Lamiaceae. In particular, the term commonly is used for Lavandula angustifolia (true lavender or common lavender), which is valued for its fragrant flowers and use as a source of essential oil used in perfumery and various medicinal purposes. Generally the flowers are purple, but also may be pink or white. There are about 25-30 species of lavendula. There term lavender is also used to refer to a pale to light purple or violet color.
Description
Lavandula is native across the Canary Islands, North and East Africa, south Europe, and the Mediterranean, Arabia, and India. Because the cultivated forms are planted in gardens world-wide, they are occasionally found growing wild, as garden escapees, well beyond their natural range.
The genus includes herbaceous plants, subshrubs, and small shrubs. The various species of lavendual vary somewhat in appearance and aromatic quality (Longe 2005). L. augustifolia or true lavender is commercial valuable in the perfume industry and is planted in gardens, while L. stoechas, or Spanish or French lavender, is the species probably most used in Roman times as a scenting agent in washing water (Longe 2005) and now used primarily for landscaping.
Lavender plants have tiny, tubular, generally mauve-blue blossoms (sometimes white) that grow in whorls of six to ten flowers along square stems that form a terminal spike (Longe 2005). The flowers commonly bloom from June to August and are well liked by bees and serve as a good source of honey (Longe 2005). The evergreen, lanceolate, and opposite [[Leaf}leaves]] are needle-like, downy, and tend to be a light, silver-gray (Longe 2005).
History
The term lavender comes from the Latin lavare, meaning "to wash," reflecting the uses of the Romans (and ancient Greeks) to use lavender blossoms to scent bath water (Longe 2005). The ancient Greeks called the lavender herb nardus, after the Syrian city of Naarda. It was also commonly called nard.
During Roman times, flowers were sold for 100 denarii per pound, which was about the same as a month's wages for a farm laborer, or fifty haircuts from the local barber. commonly used in Roman baths to scent the water, lavender was thought to restore the skin. When the Roman Empire conquered southern Britain, the Romans introduced lavender.
During the height of the Plague, glove makers at Grasse would scent their leathers with lavender oil, and this was claimed to ward off the Plague. This story could have some validity as the Plague was transmitted by fleas, which lavender is known to repel.
Uses
The most common species in cultivation is the Common Lavender Lavandula angustifolia (formerly L. officinalis). A wide range of cultivars can be found. Other commonly grown ornamental species are L. stoechas, L. dentata, and L. multifida.
Lavenders are widely grown in gardens. Flower spikes are used for dried flower arrangements. The fragrant, pale purple flowers and flower buds are used in potpourris. Dried and sealed in pouches, they are placed among stored items of clothing to give a fresh fragrance and as a deterrent to moths. The plant is also grown commercially for extraction of lavender oil from the flowers. This oil is used as an antiseptic and for aromatherapy.
Lavender flowers yield abundant nectar which yields a high quality honey for beekeepers. Lavender monofloral honey is produced primarily in the nations around the Mediterranean, and marketed worldwide as a premium product. Lavender flowers can be candied and are used as cake decoration. Lavender is also used as a herb, either alone or as an ingredient of herbes de Provence. Lavender is also used to flavour sugar, the product being called "lavender sugar", and the flowers are sometimes sold in a blend with black tea, as "lavender tea".
French chefs in and around Provence, France have been incorporating this herb into their cuisine for many centuries. Lavender lends a floral, slightly sweet and elegant flavour to most dishes. For most cooking applications it is the dried buds (also referred to as flowers) of lavender that are utilised, though some chefs experiment with the leaves as well. It is the buds however that contain the essential oil of lavender, which is where both the scent and flavour of lavender are best derived.
Medicinal use
Lavender has been used extensively in herbalism.
English lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, yields a highly effective essential oil with very sweet overtones, and can be used in balms, salves, perfumes, cosmetics, and topical applications. French lavender, Lavandula x intermedia, yields a similar essential oil, with higher contents of turpin, which adds a harsher overtone to the fragrance. Spanish lavender, Lavandula stoechas is not used medicinally, but mainly for landscaping purposes.
Essential oil of lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It was used in hospitals during WWI to disinfect floors, walls and other surfaces.
An infusion of lavender is claimed to soothe and heal insect bites. Bunches of lavender are also said to ward off insects. If applied to the temples, lavender oil is said to soothe headaches. Lavender is frequently used as an aid to sleep and relaxation: Seeds and flowers of the plant are added to pillows, and an infusion of three flowerheads added to a cup of boiling water are recommended as a soothing and relaxing bedtime drink. Lavender oil (or extract of Lavender) is claimed to heal acne when used diluted 1:10 with water, rosewater, or witch hazel; it is also used in the treatment of skin burns and inflammatory conditions (it is a traditional treatment for these in Iran).
Health precautions: There is scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of some of these remedies, especially the anti-inflammatory effects, but they should be used with caution since lavender oil can also be a powerful allergen. Ingesting lavender should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.[1].
A preliminary finding presented at the Endocrine Society's conference in June 2006 had suggested that shampoos, soaps and body lotions containing lavender and tea tree oils may cause "hormonal imbalances and breast growth in young boys"[2]
Gallery
Hovering bee next to lavender
Lavender flower
Lavender flowers
Lavandula stoechas
A lavender farm in Hokkaidō
Western honeybee on lavender
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- ↑ Lavender: Precautions, Center for Integrative Medicine
- ↑ Bad Shampoo for Boys? (2004-07-04). Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- Lavender of Provence, France. Retrieved 2007-02-17.
- Longe, J. L. 2005. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Farmington Hills, Mich: Thomson/Gale. ISBN 0787693960.
External links
Medicinal use
- Medicinal use: University of Maryland Medical Center
- Medicinal use, Modern and Historical: botanical.com
- Details on all varieties of lavender plants.
Cultivars
Credits
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