Herbal Spotlight: Lavender

This month, we’re paying homage to one of our absolute favorite herbs — lavender.

It’s a culturally celebrated perennial known for its medicinal properties, aromatics, and versatility. It’s a must-have in the garden (it attracts pollinators and deters plant-destroying animals) and it’s used in a huge variety of everyday items — essential oils, aromatherapy, traditional herbal medicine, and as a culinary herb.

Lavender is cherished for its natural ability to instill a sense of calm in every space it occupies. It can help remedy a range of common (and not-so-common) ailments like insomnia, depression, pain relief, and anxiety. This distinctive flower has the ability to cleanse, calm, and uplift your mind and spirit.

Rooted in a bit of dark history, lavender has long-revered for its antiseptic and clean properties. During the European Black Plague, doctors would routinely utilize its fragrance to cover up the smell of death. Ancient Egyptians used this aromatic herb as perfume and used it in the mummification process.

Fun Facts About Lavender

• • Lavender comes from the Latin verb lavare, which means ‘to wash’. In fact, during the French Medieval periods, this flower was used to clean clothes and linens. Laundry was dried by placing it atop its bushes, so the washerwomen were referred to as lavenders.
  • Lavender naturally deters pests like flies, mosquitoes, mice, rabbits, and deer. This makes it perfect for around the house or in the backyard.
  • In the language of flowers, lavender can mean devotion, happiness, and peace.

We value this precious plant for its long list of health benefits, many rooted in tradition. While it holds a reputation for its many calming properties, lavender can also reduce inflammation, boost immune health and boost digestive and respiratory health. Lavender Flower is deeply relaxing and reduces stress. The soothing benefits of this flower extend to its use as an anxiolytic, mood stabilizer, sedative, analgesic, and anti-convulsant with powerful neuroprotective properties. Several of our tisanes feature this healing herb including Calm Herbal Tea, Skin Herbal Tea, and Sleep Herbal Tea.