The flowers of lavender are fragrant in nature and have been used for making potpourri and cosmetics for centuries. Traditionally, lavender essential oil has also been used in making perfumes. The oil is very useful in aromatherapy and many aromatic preparations.
Why do people love lavender?
Most people love lavender for its soothing smell and pretty color, but did you know the plant has many medicinal and therapeutic benefits? Research shows lavender essential oil can be helpful in treating anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, skin irritation and blood pressure.
What is special about lavender flower?
Lavender flowers represent purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace, and calmness. Purple is the color of royalty and speaks of elegance, refinement, and luxury, too. The color is also associated with the crown chakra, which is the energy center associated with higher purpose and spiritual connectivity.
When did lavender become popular?
Queen Victoria took an interest in lavender in 19th century England and English lavender became popular. The Victorians used lavender in gardens and both queens used products from the famous lavender company, Yardley’s of London. What was once the rage in Europe quickly caught on in the Americas.
Why does lavender smell so good?
Lavender essential oil contains many different types of compounds, but one in particular—S-linalool—is responsible for giving the plant a well-known sweet aroma.
What happens when you smell lavender?
Clinical studies in both animals and humans have shown the plant to have calming effects, reducing anxiety and helping to bring on sleep. The key ingredient is linalool, an alcohol component of lavender odor. Sniffing it has been likened to popping a Valium.
Is liking lavender genetic?
Some say its nature, whilst others argue that it has a lot more to do with nurture. Researchers at Duke University in North Carolina, USA, believe that differences in the way that different people react to the same smell are a result of our DNA.
What does lavender symbolize LGBT?
In 1969, the color came to symbolize empowerment. Lavender sashes and armbands were distributed to a crowd of hundreds in a “gay power” march from Washington Square Park to Stonewall Inn in New York, to commemorate the Stonewall riots that had just taken place a month before.
Is lavender a holy plant?
Lavender was one of the holy herbs used to prepare the Holy Essence and Nard, or ‘spikenard’ is mentioned in the bible in the ‘Song of Solomon’ among other places. Lavender derives its name from the Latin ‘lavare’ meaning ‘to wash”. The Romans used Lavender to scent their baths, beds, clothes and even hair.
Why is lavender lucky?
The earlier sources for lavender as it relates to attracting good luck, or possibly repelling misfortune, are linked to its association St. John Day where it was burned in bonfires when evil spirits were said to walk among men.
What was lavender used for in the 1700s?
Traditionally it was planted near the laundry room and linens and clothing were laid over the plants to dry while absorbing the fresh odor of lavender. It was also useful in repelling insects. Queen Elisabeth, who loved lavender, used it in tea to treat her frequent migraines and as a perfume.
Is lavender a popular smell?
Lavender is a Mediterranean herb that has become a popular scent in beauty and home products and a trending flavor in sweet foods.
When was lavender introduced to the UK?
Lavender was introduced into England in the 1600s. It is said that Queen Elizabeth prized a lavender conserve (jam) at her table, so lavender was produced as a jam at that time, as well as used in teas both medicinally and for its taste.
When was lavender perfume invented?
Lavender appears for the first time in a great perfume in 1892, the now iconic Fougère Royale by Houbigant.
Is lavender a feminine scent?
In modern fragrance, lavender is lightly used in ‘feminine’ scents, although it turns up in plenty of ‘shared’ colognes and men’s fragrances; it works well alongside other aromatic ingredients like pine, sage and rosemary, as well as patchouli, oakmoss, bergamot, neroli and orange blossom.
Is lavender a masculine smell?
In perfume history, lavender has for a long time been considered as a rather “masculine scent” due to the dawn of advertisement, which depicted it as a scent for men. In addition, lavender as a perfume ingredient has for years mainly lived inside the Fougere perfume family.