Disclaimer: The Flower Blog staff LOVES lavender! Heath benefits, gorgeous and calming aroma, and a beautiful bud—well, enough said.
- The lavenders (Lavandula) are a genus of 39 species of flowering plants in the mint family. An It is thought the genus originated in Asia but it is most diversified in its western distribution. The ancient Greeks called the lavender herb nardus or nard, after the Syrian city of Naarda. Lavender’s name is derived from the Latin word lavo, meaning “to wash,” and reflects the plant oil’s common use in soaps, perfumes and other toiletries. They take the form of small shrubs, subshrubs and herbaceous perennials.
- In the 1970s, a herb blend called herbes de Provence usually including lavender was invented by spice wholesalers, and lavender has more recently become popular in cookery.
Credit: Hues
- Flowers yield abundant nectar from which bees make a high-quality honey. Lavender flavors baked goods and desserts , and is also used to make “lavender sugar”. Lavender flowers are occasionally blended with black, green, or herbal tea, adding a fresh, relaxing scent and flavor.
- Lavender lends a floral and slightly sweet flavor to most dishes. For most cooking applications the dried buds (also referred to as flowers) are used, though some chefs experiment with the leaves as well. Only the buds contain the essential oil of lavender, from which the scent and flavor of lavender are best derived.
Credit: Cool Home Creations
- Lavender is used extensively with herbs and aromatherapy. It was used in hospitals during World War I to disinfect floors and walls. These extracts are also used as fragrances for bath products.
Credit: Katatonic Industries
- A recent clinical study showed that lavender helps alleviate anxiety and related sleep disturbances. However, you should avoid ingesting lavender during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Flower spikes are used for dried flower arrangements. The fragrant, pale purple flowers and flower buds are used in potpourris. Lavender is also used extensively as herbal filler inside sachets used to freshen linens. Dried and sealed in pouches, lavender flowers are placed among stored items of clothing to give a fresh fragrance and to deter moths. Dried lavender flowers have become recently popular for wedding confetti. Lavender is also popular in body care products.
Credit: some images and content via Wikipedia
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