Lavender is indigenous to the mountainous areas of the countries bordering the western European part of the Mediterranean region. When early travelers brought it back, the plant spread fairly rapidly to other parts of the world, and by the sixteenth-century lavender was already a much-loved plant in English gardens.
Where is lavender found naturally?
The native range extends across the Canary Islands, North and East Africa, south Europe and the Mediterranean, Arabia, and India. Because the cultivated forms are planted in gardens world-wide, they are occasionally found growing wild, as garden escapees, well beyond their natural range.
What was lavender called in the Bible?
spikenard
In biblical texts, lavender is often referred to as spikenard or nard (from the Greek name for lavender, naardus, after the Syrian city Naarda). Under this pseudonym, lavender appears multiple times throughout the Bible, most often associated with its amazing scent that was prized by ancient people.
What does lavender come from?
Lavandula (common name lavender) is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World and is found in Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, and from Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to India.
What was lavender originally used for?
Lavender was used to scent drawers, perfume the air and ward off infection and heal wounds. It was also recognized in Roman times for its antiseptic and healing qualities. The Ancient Greeks used lavender to fight insomnia and back aches.
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.
Which country grows most lavender?
Bulgaria
A favourite scent of the Romans, it’s used for cosmetics, fragrances, and even – with the help of bees – to make honey. However, in recent years, Bulgaria, the former communist country in Eastern Europe, has overtaken France to become the world leader in lavender oil production.
What does lavender symbolize?
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.
Why is lavender so important?
Reduces pain and inflammation: Research has shown that lavender essential oil can help reduce headache pain. Helps with mood, anxiety and depression: “Lavender is known for its ability to calm the nervous system, lift the mood and even lower blood pressure,” says Dr.
Who first used lavender?
The ancient Egyptians
The first record of lavender can be traced back to more than 2,500 years ago! The ancient Egyptians used lavender in the mummification process, as well as for its fragrant scent in perfumes. Traces of lavender were even found in the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh, Tutankhamun.
Can you find lavender in the wild?
Lavender and thyme grow wild on these steep, craggy slopes. They develop small, intensely scented leaves, as they struggle against the elements, pushing and threading their wiry roots into crevices between the rocks.” These are the growing conditions that the domesticated lavender craves.
Does lavender grow everywhere?
While lavender is easy to grow in the right area, it can’t grow everywhere. It’s all about location. Lavender does best in a Medditeranean climate. Although it can be grown in other climates as well, it will grow best in zones 5 to 9.
Is lavender native to North America?
Lavender is native to the Middle East and India, with history spanning over 2,500 years ago. In the 7th century, Arabs domesticated the plant and then brought it to Spain. The Spanish then in turn brought the plant to North America (5). Lavender is now a popular herb used in many different cultures around the world.
Where is lavender found in America?
So, it might not be a surprise that Oregon is among the top U.S. producers of lavender. The fragrant purple flower adapts well to the state’s moderate temperatures, sandy, well-drained soils and dry summers.
Where is the best lavender in the world?
Provence, France
Provence is one of the world’s most famous spots for lavender. Visit from mid-June to mid-July and you’ll be mesmerized by the endless rows of purple that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Where is the lavender Capital of the World?
SEQUIM, Wash. — For the last 20-plus years Sequim has become the go-to place for anything lavender. In fact, the Sequim Lavender Festival has become such a draw, people from all over the globe attend every year.