Lavender : History & Cultivation, Properties
History of Lavender:
Over
2000 years ago Lavender has been used for medicinal purposes, when we
go back in history the Egyptians used Lavender for mummification
processes for their dead in decorative urns and in balming its'
Pharaohs ready for the after-life. Egyptians used Lavender oils on their
skin for perfume.
The Early Greeks learned a lot about Lavender in their Lavender flower perfumes used as an aromatic
herb from the Egyptians.
Lavender's technical term in Latin
meaning "Lavare" [mean to wash and cleanse] Livendulo [meaning "livid or
bluish colour"]. There are many varieties of Lavender plants over 30
different species across the continent today.
The
Romans used Lavender heads [flowers] in their bathing especially in
their public baths. They used Lavender perfume for themselves
and in their homes. Lavender was used for treating ailments against
infections.
Lavender goes back to the biblical times when Mary
used it on her infant Jesus and also used the Lavender oil anointing
Jesus Christ at his crucifixion when Mary was preparing
Him for his burial.
During the Renaissance period Lavender was used to protect people against infections during the plague.
Lavender's
properties can be used for many medicinal purposes as an insect
repellent especially back in the plague where rats carried lice.
Lavender is used in soaps, facial products and bath oils and cremes
today.
Victorian Era:
Queen
Victoria encouraged all fine English ladies to scent themselves in
Lavender and everything else.
Queen Victoria used Lavender throughout the castle for cleaning floors
and washing down furniture and all linens were perfumed with its sweet
scent of Lavender.
Cultivation:
In England the demand for Lavender grew and it's cultivation and commercial
growing maintained a constant supply for royalty.
Street vendors
sold Lavender in the bunches and would sing about their Lavender wares
to bring attention to the public for potential buyers.
Some of their calls were printed in "The"Cries of London"
through songs, poems and diddles.
Lavender: Culinary Cuisine
Lavender potato salad and variety of healthy salads. The Lavender has many beautiful essential oil properties and a wonderful ingredient used in cake mixes that enhances the favour of the cake in any form whether it is a cupcake or a large two tier cake.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Lavender+Lemonade+Mix&Form=IQFRDR#a
whatscookingamerica.net/Lavender.htm
http://www.bing.com/search?q=lavender+properties+-+EATING++RECIPEES&qs=n&form=QBRE&filt=all&pq=lavender+properties+-+eating+recipees&sc=0-22&sp=-1&sk=
Lavender Characteristics: Digestive system and skin
Lavender also known as "Lavandula Angustifolia" is one of the most widely used, versatile herb known today. It is considered a member of the Labiatae family.
Lavender is an aromatic tonic herb with a sweet scent, its benefits are it relaxes the digestive system, stimulates peripheral circulation and lowers fever and relaxes spasms in the body.
Lavender contains certain "Ursolic acid" anti-bacterial properties that fights against lipid oxidation and encounters to stop oxidation and tissue degeneration by helping encounter ageing.
Lavender is an essential oil used by aromatherapy botanists for the medicines and healing properties that calm the nervous system, and used in various skin beauty therapy products.
Lavender oil is a favourite essential oil it has anti-bacterial properties and is a must in a "First Aid Kit" especially for burns.
https://blu182.mail.live.com/default.aspx#n=742810915&fid=&st=blog
Lavender: Ageless Properties
Lavender oil is used in shampoos, facial products, body/hand creams and soaps.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Lavender+Festival+California&Form=IQFRDR
Lavender is a wonderful herb to grow in your garden and makes a wonderful array of colour in your garden as an edging to your home. I have Lavender growing in my garden in Canberra the French, Italian and English type.
http://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/lavender-oil.asp
Bibliography:
Esteoleric Oils CC & Sallamander Concepts LCC2013. Lavender Oils (Lavendula Officinalis) The Origin Source the World of Precious Essential Oils, Gaunteng, South Africa, Sallamander Concepts 1998 - 2013. http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/lavender.htmMeyer Michael 2013. Ageless The Trustee Herbal Ageing Site Since 1999, Sallamander Concepts 1998, 15 October 1998. http://www.ageless.co.za/herb-lavender.htm
Tisserrand Robert 2013. Aroma web, Essential Oils, Southgate MI USA, 15 October 2013. http://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/lavender-oils.asp
TMEETZ 2013. Hub website, The Many Benefits of Lavender, San Francisco CA USA, 16 November 2007 http://tmeetz.hubpages.com/hub/lavender
Zinkan Laura 2009. Google, Taking Care of Lavender, Northern Carolina USA, 17 May 2009. http://www.The Garden Pages.com
Getty Paul J. (Producer), (2009). Youtube, Egyptian Mummification Process (English Subtitles), Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNuGn1j_w4c>
Warner Valentine(Producer), (2012). Youtube, Lavender Meringue and Cream - What To Eat Now: Summer, Australia. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2izuqYv1o4
Carmenviorica (Producer), (2009). Youtube, "La route de la Lavande" - Lavender Fields, Southern France. Retrieved from <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PnBEt7hf_8>
Lavender: Cooking & Recipees
Fresh Lavender is used in the above recipe in What to Eat Now! Include a lot of fruit recipes and meringue, macaroons recipes.
Lavender and Cream Meringues recipes
Early Egyptians Mummification processes:
Early Egyptians Mummification: Lavender Oils:
Early Egyptians used Lavender oil in the preservation of their Pharaohs. This video gives you a good outline on the process step by step on how they preserved their dead. More videos on the early history of the pyramids and other sources.
Created by Margaret Ferguson
The colour of lavender is amazing! Those Egyptians certainly knew what they were doing...
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