LUSCIOUS LAVENDER

About Luscious Lavender

Luscious Lavender began in 2001 as a meager hobby, beginning with one plant purchased while on vacation in Sequim, WA. 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 home for 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 of her annual harvest. 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 bath 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 a 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 bath products presented were 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 include Handkerchief Sachets made with vintage hankies and soft Travel Pillows made with vintage damask.

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Jenn's garden consists of two dozen organic Lavender plants including Grosso, Provence and Royal Purple Lavenders (Lavandula Intermediate Lavandins) which are hybrids of English Lavender (Lavendula Angustifolia) and Spike Lavender (Lavendula Latifolia.) No growth hormone, herbicide or pesticide sprays, have been used on her plants. In addition to her homegrown organic Lavender, supplemental 100% pure, organic Lavender oil and buds are used to help create her handcrafted bath and floral decor products.

About the Lavender Herb

The lavenders Lavandula are a genus of about 25-30 species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native from the Mediterranean region south to tropical Africa and east to India. The genus includes annuals, herbaceous plants, subshrubs, and small shrubs. The native range extends across the Canary Islands, North and East Africa, south 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 escapes, well beyond their natural range.

Cultivation and Uses

The most common species in cultivation is the Common Lavender Lavandula angustifolia (formerly L. officinalis). A wide range of cultivars can be found. Other commonly grown ornamental species are L. stoechas, L. dentata, and L. multifida.

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 potpourris. Dried and sealed in pouches, they are placed among stored items of clothing to give a fresh fragrance and as a deterrent to moths. The plant is also grown commercially for extraction of lavender oil from the flowers. This oil is used as an antiseptic and for aromatherapy.

Lavender flowers yield abundant nectar which yields a high quality honey for beekeepers. Lavender honey is produced primarily in the nations around the Mediterranean, and marketed worldwide as a premium product. Lavender flowers can be candied and are used as cake decoration. Lavender is also used as a herb, either alone or as an ingredient of herbes de Provence.

History

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

During Roman times, flowers were sold for 100 denarii per pound, which was about the same as months wage for a farm labourer or 50 haircuts from the local barber. Lavender was commonly used in Roman baths to scent the water, and it was thought to restore the skin. When the Roman Empire conquered southern Britain, the Romans introduced lavender.

During the height of the Plague, glove makers at Grasse would scent their leathers with lavender oil, and this was claimed to ward off the Plague. This story could have some validity as the Plague was transmitted by fleas, which lavender is known to repel.

Herbal Remedies

Lavender has been extensively used in herbalism. An infusion of lavender is claimed to soothe and heal insect bites. Bunches of lavender are also said to ward off insects. If applied to the temples, lavender oil is said to soothe headaches. Lavender is frequently used as an aid to sleep: Seeds and flowers of the plant are added to pillows, and an infusion of three flowerheads added to a cup of boiling water are recommended as a soothing and relaxing bedtime drink. Lavender oil (or extract of Lavender) is claimed to heal acne when used diluted 1:10 with water, rosewater, or witch hazel; it is also used in the treatment of skin burns and inflammatory conditions (it is a traditional treatment for these in Iran). There is scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of some of these remedies, especially the anti-inflammatory effects, but they should be used with caution since lavender oil can also be a powerful allergen.

Article c/o Wikipedia Encyclopedia | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavender, 2006

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