Originally, the strongly scented lavender probably comes from Persia (today's Iran) and spread from there over the entire Mediterranean area. There the plant grows both wild and cultivated, especially in southern France, Italy and Greece, but also on the Canary Islands, in India and in North Africa.

Lavender has been used for thousands of years

Even the ancient Egyptians used the disinfecting and healing effects of lavender e.g. for religious ceremonies and as part of their death cult. The bodies of deceased loved ones were rubbed with lavender oil to preserve them. Pliny the Elder (23 to 79 AD), Roman general, historian and scholar, described the use of lavender in the Roman Empire. The clean Romans used lavender primarily to cleanse their bodies and clothing, which the name of the plant still indicates today. Lavender comes from the Latin word "lavare" which means "to wash". Incidentally, in Germany too, lavender used to be colloquially referred to as "wash herb".

Monks brought lavender across the Alps

Finally, in the High Middle Ages, wandering Benedictine monks brought the herb from Italy across the Alps. The fragrant plant quickly conquered both the monastery and cottage gardens, and the medical scholars and herbalists of the Middle Ages - such as Hildegard von Bingen or Paracelsus - recognized its potential. Today, lavender grows in almost every climate zone in the world, but only grows wild around the Mediterranean.

Different types of lavender

But lavender is not just lavender, there are about 25 different types in total.
Common Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) ,
Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia)
and French lavender (Lavandula Stoechas)
are considered to be the three original wild lavender species from which all others have been bred over time. The only really hardy lavender is the real lavender, all others need protection from frosty temperatures and should not overwinter outdoors.

Lavender needs a lot of sun and poor soil

In its Mediterranean homeland, lavender grows on extremely barren, often stony subsoil both in the lowlands and at altitudes of up to 2000 meters. The distinctive French lavender, on the other hand, grows wild mainly near the coast. Lavender also needs these living conditions in Germany: barren soil and lots of sun, otherwise it cannot fully develop its healing essential oils.

tips and tricks

Lavender blossoms from wild-growing lavender, which comes from a so-called stimulating climate (high altitude, salty sea air, lots of sun), are considered to be particularly healing.

IJA

Category:

Herbs