History Of Lavender

Down through The Ages

As we look back on the history of lavender, we discover it has been around for over 2500years!

The first recorded acknowledgement of its healing properties was in 77AD by the Greek physician Discordes.

He wrote 5 volumes entitled “De Materia Medica” in which he wrote of the medicinal benefits of lavender.  He acknowledged that when ingested, it assists in the relief of stomach upsets and sore throats.

The Egyptians:

When Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered and opened, there was said to be jars filled with something pertaining to the smell of lavender found inside.  It has been known for some time that the Egyptians used lavender for embalming and also cosmetics, and this discovery seems to verify this fact.

The Greeks:

The Greeks were not slow in taking what the Egyptians already knew and applying these lessons to their own cosmetics and perfumes.  They referred to it as ‘Nardus’ after the Syrian city of Naardus. In a document entitled “Concerning Odours” written by the Greek physician Theophrastus in the 3rd century BC, he talks about the healing properties of these perfumes.

The Romans:

However, it is the Romans who are credited with giving lavender its name.  In Latin the verb ‘lavare’ means ‘to wash’ whereas the word ‘livendulo’ means ‘bluish or livid’.  Both can be seen as applicable to the lavender plant. The Romans enjoyed bathing in it and also applied it to insect bites.  When they were on campaigns they applied lavender to wounds and burns as it was noted for its healing and antiseptic properties.

The Europeans:

The spread of lavender to Europe is credited to Arab physicians, who read both Syrian and Persian translations of De Materia Medica and brought their medicine to Spain, where it then spread to the rest of Europe.  They recognised its healing properties and are credited with domesticating some forms of lavender in parts of Arabia.

The Dark Ages:

During the Dark Ages however, lavender fell from grace and its uses appear to have only been preserved in monasteries.  By growing lavenders in their gardens and copying ancient manuscripts, they recorded the medicinal properties of lavenders and preserved what otherwise could have been lost forever.

Tudor England:

However in Tudor England, following Henry VIII abolition of the monasteries; there was a move to growing lavender in domestic gardens.  Now the ladies of the manor were recognising the many uses of lavender and it began to appear amongst fine linen and added to beeswax for polishing furniture.  Lavender was also planted near the laundry room and clothes were spread out to dry over the plants so the sweet aroma could pervade the clothes.  Thus, laundry maids were often known as ‘lavenders’.

Queen Elizabeth 1:

Queen Elizabeth I further popularised the use of lavender, by using lavender to treat migraine and also as a perfume.  She encouraged the planting of lavenders and lavender farms.  Then the wife of King Charles I used lavender for bathing, in potpourris and in bath soaps.

France:

While across the channel in France, glove makers who were licensed to use perfumes in their gloves saw many of them escape the effects of the cholera. Therefore the French saw for themselves that lavender was effective against infection.

England:

In England during the plague of 1665 grave robbers washed plague victims clothes and their belongings in a solution that contained lavender.  It was thought to protect against this terrible disease.  The popularity of lavender grew at this time as herbalists embraced its healing properties.

Queen Victoria:

Queen Victoria encouraged the use of lavender; with fresh lavender being dried and placed in wardrobes and in linen cupboards to keep linen fresh and sweet smelling.  It was used in perfumes, furniture polish and soap. It became a regular cure-all in domestic medicine cabinets.

World War 1:

During the First World War lavender was used to heal wounds when other more conventional treatments were in short supply.  A French aromatherapist Rene Gattefosse, noted that having sustained a serious burn whilst working in his laboratory; on applying lavender oil, the burn not only healed quickly, it also was free from any infection and left no scarring.  Not surprisingly France is now one of the leading producers of lavender products.

The 20th Century:

Early in the 20th century its popularity began to wane.  By the middle of the 20th century it was seen as a “scent for old ladies” and very outmoded.

The 21st Century:

With the growth in popularity of organic products and alternative natural products, it is again growing in popularity and lavender farms and subsequently lavender products are now more popular than ever.

The history of lavender is still being written and in ages to come, I believe there will still be an ever-increasing interest in the many uses of lavender.

Tagged as: benefits lavender, growing lavenders, healing lavender, history lavender, lavender oil, lavender plant, Lavender Products, lavender uses, using lavender

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