ABOUT LAVENDER OIL & THE LAVENDER PLANT

Plant Name (Latin): Lavandula angustifolia
Plant Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Native Region: Warm, sunny Mediterranean regions
Growing Habit: Medium-height shrub with needle-like leaves and pinkish-purple flowers
Parts Used: Flowers and leaves
Extraction Method: Steam distillation of the flowers

About Lavender Oil

Lavender, with its delicate pale purple flowers and tranquil scent, has been cherished for thousands of years. It has a long history of use in healing, cleaning, cooking, beauty, and fragrance. Lavender oil is known for its floral and herbaceous aroma, and it is even said to have tamed wild animals in ancient legends. As an adaptogen in essential oil blends, lavender enhances the effects of other oils, making it a staple in aromatherapy.

Why Use Lavender Oil?

The floral, herbaceous fragrance of lavender offers calming and balancing benefits for the entire body. Known for its sweet, soothing scent, lavender is often used both on its own and as a key component in relaxing essential oil blends.

How and Where Lavender Grows

Lavender is a fragrant shrub that grows up to 1 to 2 meters (3.3 to 6.6 feet) tall. Its narrow, evergreen leaves and pinkish-purple flowers, which give their name to the color “lavender,” bloom on spikes at the top of long, leafless stems.

Native to the Mediterranean, lavender thrives in sunny, dry summers and wet winters. While France is famous for its lavender fields, Bulgaria surpassed it in commercial production in 2014. Other significant producers include Spain, the Baltic countries, and Australia. Even in non-Mediterranean climates, such as England, lavender grows well and has historically been a part of English gardens. Though London’s expansion diminished its lavender industry, areas like Norfolk still grow it commercially.

Lavender can survive in gardens around the world, generally thriving in USDA zone 5 climates. It is drought-tolerant and grows best in well-drained soil.

The Many Uses of Lavender

Edible Lavender
Lavender is a member of the mint family and can be used in cooking, though not all varieties are suitable for culinary use. The most common varieties are English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), known for its sweeter flavor, and Provence Lavender, often found in the herbs de Provence spice blend. Other varieties may taste too harsh for food.

When cooking with lavender, it's important to select a culinary-grade variety to ensure safety and optimal flavor.

Lavender Essential Oil
Loved for its soothing, calming properties, lavender essential oil is often used in diffusers to create a peaceful atmosphere. It can also be added to laundry cycles or dryer balls for a fresh, fragrant touch. Lavender’s versatility extends to personal care, where it nourishes hair and skin, and enhances relaxation rituals.

Lavender Oil in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, lavender is considered beneficial for balancing all three doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha. It has a calming and cooling energy, making it especially helpful for calming pitta and kapha, while stimulating vata. Lavender oil is also known to enhance prana (vital life force), nourish hair and skin, and relax the nerves. It is commonly used in Ayurvedic treatments like Shirodhara, where essential oils are applied to the forehead to stimulate the sixth chakra.

The Symbolism of Lavender

The name "lavender" derives from the Latin lavare, meaning "to wash," reflecting its historical use in baths, laundry, and soaps. Lavender has long been a symbol of love and spiritual connectivity. Its purple hue is associated with the crown chakra, representing higher purpose and spiritual awareness. Throughout history, lavender has also been used to scent love letters and in religious ceremonies, reinforcing its symbolism in love and spirituality.

The History of Lavender

Lavender’s use spans over 2,500 years. The Egyptians used it in cosmetics and embalming, while the Romans employed it for everything from laundry to wound care. Lavender, known as spikenard in Hebrew texts, was part of the holy essence used in ancient temples.

Lavender was revered in medieval Europe for its healing properties. In the 16th century, French glove makers scented their gloves with lavender, and its popularity surged during the Great Plague of 1665, when it was believed to offer protection against disease. By the Victorian era, lavender was widely cultivated and used in everything from cooking to cosmetics.

The Science of Lavender Oil

In 1910, French chemist René-Maurice Gattefossé discovered the healing properties of lavender essential oil after applying it to a burn on his hand. His findings, documented in his book Aromatherapie, marked the beginning of modern aromatherapy. Lavender’s benefits were further recognized during World War I when it was used in military hospitals for its cleansing and calming effects.