Is lavender more than just a fragrance?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
March 27, 2003
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading—>Click here.
Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.
Killer Picks: Professionally Designed Gardens—>Click here.
Lavender, Purple Fragrant, Pink Fragrant—>Click here.
Roman bathhouses were engineering, architectural, and artistic masterpieces; elegant places where friends could meet, chat, and relax. The baths included massages with fragrant oils, saunas, spas, and pools; the bath experience was an art of self-indulgence. Or was it?
Lavender was a popular herb for the Roman bath ritual; Roman legions were said to carry it for personal use. Lavender became linked to bathing and washing in the English language. (See Plants that Changed History, March 25, 2003)
A strong whiff of lavender can be truly obnoxious; people often withdraw from a large olfactory dose. John Gerard (The Herbal, 1597) commented that "water of lavander smelt, or temples and forehead bathed" was refreshing (reviving) to people who had collapsed or fainted.
On the other hand, Gerard recommended a conserve of the flowers (candied) for "giddinesse...and swimming of the braine" (dizziness?) and bathing with "distilled water of the floures" for "palsie". In modern medicine, palsy is an archaic term for a neurological disorder, but in Gerard's time, it referred to any uncontrollable trembling like "nervousness".
According to the Physicians Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines (1998), extracts of lavender flowers are sometimes prescribed by physicians "for mood disturbances such as restlessness or insomnia, [and] functional abdominal complaints" i.e. nervous stomach irritations and nervous intestinal discomfort. The volatile oil or 'scent' of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Linnaeus) contains "(-)-linalool (parenthesis means connected to other atoms or molecules), linalyl acetate, cis--ocimene, terpinene-4-ol, beta-caryophyllene, and lavandulyl acetate".
The Romans liked the fragrance of lavender and, perhaps, the scented baths did more than simply make them smell nice. Lavender extract added to a bath is said relaxing and good for insomnia. The PDR for Herbal Medicines mentions that balneotherapy, the science of bathing, uses lavender in baths to treat circulatory problems. Perhaps, the Romans were on to something.
NOVA in conjunction with WGBH, Boston, has an excellent website about Roman baths. To learn more about the architecture, engineering, and social life of a Roman bath, click on the link:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/roman/
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
Who were the lavenders? Plants that Changed History - March 25, 2003
Why is this ancient grain making a comeback? Plants that Changed History - September 7, 2004
How did settlers use wax myrtle? Herbal Folklore - October 27, 2003
Sea Lavender (Argusia gnaphalodes) Plant of the Week - January 16, 2006
Killer Savings Links:
Breck's Bulbs -$25 off—>Click here.
Gurney's Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Henry Fields Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Spring Hill Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.
Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.
Unique Professionally Designed Gardens
Springhill Nursery®
Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you.
Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!
|
|
Lavender, Purple Fragrant
Spring Hill Nursery®
Indispensable perennial for every garden! Fragrant Purple Lavender forms neat, 18-24” mounds with delicate lavender bloom spikes and silvery-green leaves. Blooms midsummer to fall, loves hot conditions. Dry the flowers to enjoy indoors, year around! Plant 12-18” apart in well-drained soil.
Shipped in 3" pot. Deer tend to avoid.
Lavendaula angustifolia
Hardiness Zone: 5 (with protection -20 degrees F) - 8
|
|
This Item Ships In Both Spring And Fall
Click here - Save $20 on $50 order
Not only is this perennial indispensable for its strong fragrance but it is a lovely component of the garden. The neat mounds can be used as low hedges, edges for a border, interplanted amongst other perennials in a flower bed and it is very attractive in a container.
Lavender has been a garden favorite for years and the flowers cut to dry for fragrancing a home. This is one of the most durable available and asks only for hot summer sun and a well drained site out of the wind. Even during winter months the fragrance can be enjoyed by gently bruising the leaves. Thrives in baking hot situation where many other plants will not grow.
|
|
|
Lavender, Pink Fragrant
Spring Hill Nursery®
Unusual pink form of the ever-popular perennials produces wonderfully fragrant, 8” flower spikes for weeks in midsummer. Pink Lavenders are ideal for borders, herb gardens, even a low hedge. Handsome, silvery green foliage is also fragrant. Grows 15"-18" and plant 12-18” apart.
Shipped in 3" pot. Deer tend to avoid.
Lavandula angustifolia 'Rosea'
Zone 5 to 8
|
|
This Item Ships In Both Spring And Fall
Click here - Save $20 on $50 order
Very versatile plant, can be grown in numerous situations like a rock garden, herb garden, for edging in a border, or as a low hedge. The leaves and flower heads are often used in sachets or potpourri. Unusual color for lavender.
|
| |
killerplants Recommended Seed and Nursery Stores
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 BACK TO TOP
|
|
