The Lavender plant is thought to have originated from the Mediterranean and the Middle East.  It was bought to England by the Romans. The plant has been around for over 2000 years and has a with a potent musky smell. Lavender belongs to the mint family this might explain why it begins with a eucalyptus type scent which later develops into the floral scent that we recognise  so well.   The plant was used by the Egyptians as part of their perfumery.  When King Tutankhamun’s tomb was opened by Howard Carter they found dried lavender with its scent.  Lavender is a very versatile plant that is used for perfumery,  medicinal purposes and, in the food industry. 

 In perfumery the flower of the plant is processed using distillation. During this process steam is used to extract the essential oil from the plant. There are other methods that are used to extract oils in fragile plants such as  Jasmine or Roses. However, the processes used to extract the oils from these can be very labour intensive.  More often than not, most of the oils that we use in perfumery are extracted using the distillation method.   In perfumery lavender may be used to create the heart of a perfume. It is considered to be unequal to most oils because of its ability to blend well with many oils and because of the soothing and relaxing effects that it has. 

Lavender is  recognised as a plant that can alter the nervous system and, as having an ability to  aid restful sleep.  Research using lavender showed that when lavender oil was added to a warm foot bath, an area of the nervous system that is associated with invoking a relaxation response changed. Different research working with lavender demonstrated evidence that it was possible to an improved quality of sleep in  participants who were experiencing mild insomnia.   In other research the researchers compared the effects of lavender oil and rosemary essential oils on cognitive  processes. In addition, they were interested in knowing whether the oils could produce an effect on an individual’s mood.  Their results showed that lavender decreased the performance and reaction times in areas of attention and memory.  Rosemary oil the comparative oil had the opposite effect. It had the effect of enhancing the same cognitions.  Some people may have an adverse reaction to lavender and women who are pregnant or who are breastfeeding are cautioned against using lavender oil.                                                                        

Lavender is often used  in a therapeutic way. It is  used in skincare to soothe inflammation and sunburn. It can be used to ease headaches, nervous tension and stress conditions one reason for this might be its ability to create a soothing or calming effect to the bodies internal or external  environment.

Adding lavender essential oil to a bath or making a bouquet garni of sprigs of the flower and hanging that over a shower or bath taps so that the water can release the scent of the lavender can have a positive effect on your wellbeing.

A visit to a lavender farm might be also a nice wellbeing day out. There are a few lavender farms in the UK.

Sources:

Leonard Pearlstine, 2006 Aromatherapy Science Aroma Scents Journal 35 (Fall): 17-24.

Moss M et al, Int J Neurosci 2003 Jan;113(1): 15-38