Lavender: More Than Just a Pretty Flower

We probably know lavender from the 17th-century children’s rhyme Lavender’s Blue, which had many variations to it. But did you know it is an indecent rhyme about sex and drinking?

It is also said that lavender oil, the herb of love, was what Cleopatra used on her skin to seduce Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Fortunately, our knowledge of lavender does not stop there.

Lavender is from the genus Lavandula, which has 47 known species. It is native to Africa, Europe and Asia. It has ornamental, culinary and medicinal properties.

The plant is grown commercially to produce lavender essential oil, which is used in cosmetics and was used in World War 1 for treating wounds. It is rich in phytochemicals such linalyl acetate, linalool, tannins and caryophyllene, with lesser amounts of other phytochemicals.

The name ‘lavender’ comes from an old French word lavandre, which comes from the Latin word lavare, the root of which is the verb lavo, meaning ‘to wash’.

The ancient Greeks called it nárdos, which in Latin is nárdus. During Roman times, this flower cost 100 denarii per pound. It is said that this amount is equal to a farm laborer’s monthly wages. One needs three pounds (1.36 kg) of fresh lavender to get 0.5 fl oz (15 mls) of essential oil.

Nard or spikenard refers to essential oils from aromatic, amber-colored essential oil from the honeysuckle family of flowering plants and could be related to the valerian genus or the Spanish lavender. It has been suggested that lavender oil could be what Mary used to wash the feet of Jesus.

Lavender oil is known to have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing), anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive (pain-regulating), antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. It is known to improve the health of skin by preventing and healing acne, soothing eczema, dry skin and psoriasis, evens out skin tone, lessens face wrinkles and it also repels insects.

However, the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) has precautions about the use of lavender – for example, it can cause an allergic reaction in some people, and pregnant women are advised to avoid using it during their first trimester. Some health practitioners also advise not to use it neat.

Lavender oil is one of the scents and oils used at MeZone Spa Aromatherapy Massage.

About the author:

Karla Mitchell

Karla Mitchell is a vibrant woman from South Africa who embraces life with her husband and children. A God-fearing woman who builds her life and family with the foundation of faith and love. Her energy and bubbly personality light up the room, and her intelligence and analytical mind make her an interesting person to talk to. Her love for books fuels her passion for writing, and she is always observing people and making her own analysis. Karla is a firm believer in staying true to her convictions and is a skilled conversationalist. Her strong-willed nature is balanced by her kind heart, and she genuinely cares for all that God has created. With her faith, love for family, and passion for writing, Karla continues to make a positive impact in her community and beyond