6 Ancient Uses of Lavender Still Popular Today

By Alexandra Dedovitch

We absolutely love the comforting and heart-warming aroma of lavender. It is a naturally calming and revitalizing scent with the power to uplift, energize and relax all at once. Its elegant tubular shape comprised of soft bluish-violet hued flowers attached to long, broom-like green stems are a feast for the eyes. When in a field or a garden, they dance in the breeze. When dried and on display, they create a staggering abstract silhouette. 

While pleasing to look upon and even more so, to take in their enchanting floral aroma, this ancient plant has provided countless uses with a multitude of benefits from the time it was first discovered over 2500 years ago. These uses still remain popular today. 

The name lavender is derived from the latin word lavare, meaning to “to wash.” The disinfectant and antiseptic properties of lavender made it the perfect plant to wash clothing in, to add to soaps and to place in bath water. Today, it is still used for these purposes and even placed in cleaning products. Its rich and soothing scent combined with its cleansing properties make lavender one of the most well-known natural sanitizers. 

Dried lavender flowers are a popular plant for potpourri. Typically, they are placed in sachets, decorative bowls and in bundles to scent a space. Aside from providing a clean fragrance they are said to deter moths and mosquitoes. Used in linens, drawers, closets and other enclosed spaces, they are the ideal plant to freshen things up. 

As an essential oil, lavender is used in diffusers to fill a space with its relaxing aroma. It can also be burned in bundles or in heat resistant dishes as incense. Simply smelling the plant in this concentrated state helps promote calmness and reduce tension. It is frequently used in bath water, perfumes and beauty products. Wellness centers, spas and massage therapists use lavender oil to create a relaxing atmosphere. 

Lavender is a flowering plant of the mint family. Like mint, it is edible. It is  used in cooking, baking, herbal teas and honey. Lavender has a sweet fragrance with a citrusy taste. Commonly used as a spice, lavender is one of the main ingredients in the popular french spice mixture, herbes de Provence. It is also an essential ingredient in a type of honey called monofloral honey. In some recipes, especially in breadmaking, lavender can be substituted for rosemary. The dried flowers are occasionally blended into black, green and herbal teas. In baking, it is used as a decorative accent or as a primary ingredient such as candied lavender flowers, lavender sugar and lavender syrup. There are entire lavender recipe books dedicated to lavender as a culinary staple.

Lavender has anti-inflammatory properties. When the oil is rubbed on the temples of the head or applied to sore muscles it relieves tension, migraines, headaches and motion sickness. It provides relief from sunburn, small cuts and insect bites. When ingested orally or used in aromatherapy, it can soothe internal inflammatory conditions such as indigestion and heartburn. In herbal and holistic treatment, lavender is one of the most commonly used for insomnia, anti-anxiety and stress because of its potent healing abilities. 

The beauty and elegance of fresh and dried lavender provides charm, whimsy and rustic sensibility to any setting. Its vibrant color and remarkable shape is an immediate room brightening accent piece for your home or office. You can delicately hang from walls, place in an elegant vase or arrange with other flowers. 

Lavender has a rich and ancient history cultivated across the globe for its aromatic, medicinal, cleansing and culinary attributes. This incredible plant continues to be an essential ingredient in many of the most popular beauty products and treatments today. It is no surprise, it has survived the test of time and continues to be the leading plant in beauty, relaxation, massage therapy and home decor.