The ancient Libyans and Romans added lavender to their bath water thus inspiring the English name derived from the Latin lavare meaning ‘to wash’. Long used as a strewing herb for its deodorising scent and insect repellant properties, lavender is now more commonly used in pot pourri or to keep moths from clothing.

A natural tranquiliser, lavender tea is taken for depression, anxiety, heart palpitations, convulsions, fainting and giddiness.

In Arabic medicine it is used for respiratory problems and, being a mild painkiller, is also effective for muscular aches. Although essential oils have been in use for millenia, lavender oil, one of the most versatile essential oils, is responsible for their contemporary resurgence.

In the 1920s a French chemist called Rene Gattefosse burnt his arm whilst experimenting in his laboratory. Instinctively he plunged it in lavender oil and thereby witnessed its remarkable healing power. This led him to further research and it was he that first used the term ‘aromatherapy’ in a scientific paper in 1928.

This information is purely for the interest of the reader and should not be taken as medical advice. If you wish to utilise herbal remedies, please consult a qualified herbalist before doing so.