LUSCIOUS LAVENDER'S HISTORY

Luscious Lavender began in 2001 as a meager hobby, beginning with one plant purchased while on vacation in Sequim, Washington. This lovely Seal Lavender, fragrant and strong, was the first addition to her garden. The anticipation of her summer harvest created a desire to learn how to preserve her forthcoming flowers, this led her to the 6th Annual Sequim Lavender Festival. There she learned many crafts such as weaving fresh lavender wands and blending sachets.

2003 was a significant year for Jenn, as she prepared a portion of her North Seattle estate with raised beds that became the home of a dozen starts of Grosso Lavender.

In 2004, Jenn began creating her own style of pentacle-shaped wreaths, bound in raffia and lace. This style of wreath has become a signature piece for Luscious Lavender. With the balance of the dried Lavender buds, she crafted silk sachets from imported fabric.

In 2006, Jenn purchased a traditional Copper Alembic Pot Still imported from Portugal. With this new tool, she distilled fragrant Lavender Hydrosol and Oil. She then introduced a new line of spa products, including Lavender~Mint Spritz, Lavender~Dead Sea Salts, and Lavender Glycerin Soap. In addition to these items, she created Celestial Sachets, Shooting Star Wreaths, and Wire~Wrap Jewelry.

Natural home decorating was the theme for 2007, as Jenn introduced the new six point Lavender wreath, the enchanting "Star of David." The 2007 catalog also included a bounty of Lavender Wands, and fragrant Sachets with a hint of Jasmine and Rose. New luxurious spa products included, Lavender~Goat Milk Lotion and Lavender Lip Balm.

In 2008, Jenn introduced a new sensual and soothing creation- the Obi Relaxation Mask. Other new "Green" products included Handkerchief Sachets made with vintage hankies and soft Travel Pillows made with vintage damask.

In 2009, Jenn created a line of traditional sewn products embellished with unique embroidery designs, which included the "I Luv Lavender" (heart-shaped) Pillow, and the realistic Lavender Bottle Sachet. New spa products included the Lavender Bath Gift Basket in an antique tub basket, Lavender~Eucalyptus Glycerin Soap, Lavender Bath Salt made from natural Himalayan Sea Salt and Lavender~Rose Potpourri. 

2009 was an emotional year for Jenn, as she had to downsize her home, leaving her three dozen Lavender plants behind. Beginning in 2010, all Luscious Lavender products will be created with locally grown Grosso Lavender provided by a beautiful Lavender farm from Sequim, Washington. 

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ABOUT THE LAVENDER HERB

The Lavenders (Lavandula) are a genus of 39 species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to the Mediterranean region south to tropical Africa and to the southeast regions of India. The genus includes annuals, herbaceous plants, subshrubs, and small shrubs. The native range extends across the Canary Islands, North and East Africa, Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, Arabia and India. Because the cultivated forms are planted in gardens world-wide, they are occasionally found growing wild as garden escapees, well beyond their natural range. However, since Lavender cross-pollinates easily, there are countless variations within the species. The color of its flowers has come to be called Lavender.

Uses
The most common "true" species in cultivation is the common Lavender Lavandula Angustifolia. A wide range of cultivars can be found. Other commonly grown ornamental species are L. Stoechas, L. Dentata, and L. Multifida.

Lavandula x Intermedia or "Lavendin" is the most cultivated species for commercial use, since its flowers are bigger and the plants are easier to harvest.

Gardens
Lavenders are widely grown in gardens. Flower spikes are used for dried flower arrangements. The fragrant, pale purple flowers and flower buds are used in potpourri. Dried and sealed in pouches, they are placed among stored items of clothing to give a fresh fragrance and to deter moths.

Culinary use
Flowers also yield abundant nectar from which bees make a high-quality honey. Monofloral honey is produced primarily around the Mediterranean, and is marketed worldwide as a premium product. Flowers can be candied and are sometimes used as cake decorations. Lavender flavors baked goods and desserts (it pairs especially well with chocolate), as well as used to make "Lavender Sugar". Lavender flowers are occasionally blended with black, green, or herbal tea, adding a fresh, relaxing scent and flavor. Chefs in and around Provence, France, have incorporated this herb into their cuisine for centuries, either alone or as an ingredient of Herbs de Provence. Lavender lends a floral, slightly sweet, and elegant flavor to most dishes, and pairs beautifully with various sheep's and goat's cheeses. For most cooking applications the dried buds (also referred to as flowers) are used, though some chefs experiment with the leaves as well. Only the buds contain the essential oil of Lavender, which is where the scent and flavor of Lavender are best derived.

The French are also known for their Lavender syrup, most commonly made from an extract of Lavender. In the United States, both French Lavender syrup and dried Lavender buds make Lavender scones and marshmallows.

Medicinal use
Lavender is used extensively in Herbalism and Aromatherapy.

English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) yields an essential oil with sweet overtones, and can be used in balms, salves, perfumes, cosmetics, and topical applications. Lavandin, Lavandula x Intermedia (also known as French Lavender), yields a similar essential oil, but with higher levels of terpenes including camphor, which add a sharper overtone to the fragrance. Mexican Lavender, Lavandula Stoechas is not used medicinally, but mainly for landscaping.

Essential oil of Lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It was used in hospitals during WWI to disinfect floors and walls. These extracts are also used as fragrances for bath products.

According to folk wisdom, Lavender has many uses. Infusions of Lavender soothe and heal insect bites. Bunches of Lavender repel insects. If applied to the temples, Lavender oil soothes headaches. In pillows, Lavender seeds and flowers aid sleep and relaxation. An infusion of three flowerheads added to a cup of boiling water soothes and relaxes at bedtime. Lavender oil (or extract of Lavender) heals acne when used diluted 1:10 with water, rosewater, or witch hazel; it also treats skin burns and inflammatory conditions.

Lavender is often used as a 'relaxation' drug, called Lavendine (purple sniff) which is made from ground flowers. It is one of the few legal drugs.

History
The ancient Greeks called the Lavender herb nardus, after the Syrian city of Naarda. It was also commonly called nard.

Lavender was one of the holy herbs used in the biblical Temple to prepare the holy essence, and nard is mentioned in the Song of Solomon,

nard and saffron,
calamus and cinnamon,
with every kind of incense tree,
with myrrh and aloes,
and all the finest spices.

During Roman times, flowers were sold for 100 denarii per pound, which was about the same as a month's wages for a farm laborer, or fifty haircuts from the local barber. Lavender was commonly used in Roman baths to scent the water, and it was thought to restore the skin. Its late Latin name was lavandārius, from lavanda (things to be washed), from the verb lavāre (to wash). When the Roman Empire conquered southern Britain, the Romans introduced Lavender. The Greeks discovered early on that Lavender if crushed and treated correctly would release a relaxing fume when burned. This is the basis for the Lavendine (purple sniff) drug used for medical purposes today.

Article c/o Wikipedia Encyclopedia | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavender, 2009 

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