Lavender A plant with a story to tell

Lavender: A Plant With a Story to Tell

Lavender has a way of pulling us in. Maybe it’s the soft purple blooms, the calming scent that lingers in the air, or the way it instantly makes a space feel peaceful and intentional. For me, lavender has always felt like more than just a plant—it’s a connection to history, tradition, and everyday rituals of care.

Lavender is believed to have originated in the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, and parts of India, and its story stretches back more than 2,500 years. As a member of the mint family, it has been valued for centuries not only for its beauty, but for the many ways it supports daily life.

The ancient Greeks called lavender nardus, named after the Syrian city of Naarda, and often referred to it simply as nard. It was considered one of the holy herbs and was used in the preparation of sacred essences. Nard, also known as spikenard, is mentioned in the Bible—most notably in the Song of Solomon. Knowing this always makes me pause when I’m harvesting lavender, realizing that people have cherished this same plant for thousands of years.

The name lavender comes from the Latin word lavare, meaning “to wash,” which feels fitting. The Romans used lavender to scent their baths, clothing, bedding, and even their hair. They also recognized its medicinal value, long before essential oils became part of our modern vocabulary.

Today, lavender is grown all over the world—from its original regions to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas. Its widespread popularity makes sense. Few plants are as beautiful, fragrant, and useful all at once.

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Everyday Comforts: How Lavender Has Been Used for Centuries

Lavender is grown commercially for its essential oil, which is extracted primarily from the flowers through distillation. This oil has long been used as a disinfectant, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory, and it remains a cornerstone of aromatherapy today.

Lavender infusions and oils have traditionally been used to soothe insect bites, sunburn, small cuts, burns, and irritated skin. Many people also turn to lavender for acne and other inflammatory conditions. Internally, lavender has been used to support digestion, including indigestion and heartburn.

One of lavender’s most beloved qualities is its calming nature. A small amount of lavender oil applied to the temples is often said to help with headaches, migraines, and motion sickness. And for many of us, lavender has become part of a nighttime ritual—something that signals the body and mind that it’s time to slow down and rest.

Dried lavender flowers are just as cherished. Tucked into sachets, they freshen linens, drawers, and closets. As a room spray, lavender brings a clean, comforting scent into any space. Dried buds also make a beautiful and fragrant addition to potpourri, offering a gentle reminder of summer long after the blooms have faded.

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A Gentle Touch in the Kitchen

Cooking with lavender is a little like working with perfume—subtlety matters, and the variety you use makes all the difference. Not all lavender is edible, and in fact, most lavender commonly grown in gardens contains too much camphor, giving it a strong, bitter flavor.

English lavender varieties are the ones best suited for culinary use. Some cultivars, such as Royal Velvet—one of my personal favorites—offer a softer, sweeter profile that works beautifully in food.

When used thoughtfully, lavender adds a floral, slightly sweet elegance to both savory and sweet dishes. It can enhance salads, soups, meats, seafood, desserts, cheeses, baked goods, and confections. Most recipes use the dried buds, though the leaves can be used sparingly. The buds and flowers are where lavender’s essential oils—and therefore its flavor—are most concentrated.

Lavender has a way of transforming a recipe, adding something unexpected yet comforting. Used with care, it moves beyond fragrance and becomes an experience—one that invites creativity and rewards a gentle hand.