You have probably heard of lavender essential oil. Lots of people are familiar with it for helping with sleep issues. But, there are many other lavender uses that make it the oil you can’t live without. Join Julie on Crunchy Christian Podcast as she talks about lavender.
Lavender Uses You Can’t Live Without
A long history
Ancient history
Lavandula sp. (47 varieties, all with some medicinal qualities) is part of the mint family. Documented use for 2500 years. Egyptians used it in mummification and perfume. Greeks used it to fight insomnia and to treat backaches. The Greek doctor for the Roman army, Dioscorides, probably had a hand in teaching the Romans about lavender uses. He wrote that it relieved indigestion, sore throats, headaches, and healed wounds. Evidence suggests that they took his advice and Romans burned lavender in rooms where there were sick people.

Listen in on the podcast to hear additional lavender uses, including Biblical references!
Medieval lavender uses
In Medieval and Renaissance France, people called women who took in washing “lavenders.” They washed clothes in lavender and laid to dry on lavender bushes. People also used lavender to scent drawers, perfume the air and ward off infection and heal wounds. In addition, medieval doctors used lavender as a remedy for the Great Plague in London in the 17th century. And, grave robbers who washed in lavender didn’t get sick. 16th century glove makers in France, who perfumed their gloves with lavender, escaped cholera.

Did you know two famous queens loved lavender? Listen to the podcast to learn more.
Foundation of aromatherapy
It must be noted that lavender pretty much founded the science of aromatherapy. In the 1930’s a French chemist, René-Maurice Gattefossé, burned his hand while working in his laboratory. Quickly, he reached for what was on hand, which happened to be lavender oil. The wound healed so quickly and completely, that he published a book, “Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Végétales,” (Aromatherapy: Essential Oils, Plant Hormones) and coined the word aromatherapy (the therapy of aromatic plants). As a result of his findings, doctors used lavender during WWII to heal wounds and more research on aromatic plants began in earnest. Today, Gattefosse’s book is considered an important founding work in the field of aromatherapy.
A garden favorite
Shrubby perennial plant native to mountains of Mediterranean countries, particularly France. But, people all over the world cultivate it wherever there’s rocky, dry soil and lots of sun. It grows best in this environment and can get to about 3 feet high, occasionally a bit taller. If you listened to the podcast about Thyme, you know that the two plants like to grow near each other. They both hate wet, humid climates and soil, so if you want to keep lavender happy, remember that it naturally grows in more arid, dry, rocky places. Lavender has long been a gardening favorite as it lends both fragrance and beauty to a landscape and is fairly easy to grow.

Listen to the podcast to hear how lavender uses turned the economy around in one American small town.
Modern research on lavender uses
The essential oil of lavender is sometimes adulterated to bring up the ester content of lesser species. Generally safe for use, even with children over age 2. Creates calm and lifts mood, relieves anxiety and induces sleep, can improve memory when under stress, reduces pain associated with arthritis, menses, headache, and lower back. Also good for skin healing, insecticidal, and bruises, burns, and wounds.

You can find lavender in nearly every natural food stores and even today, many folks add it to drinks, baked goods, baths, drawer sachets,