The Purple-Green Queen of Herbs - Lavender

Purple-Green Queen of Herbs - Lavender

There is much known about the history of lavender (Lavandula officinalis). This unique herb originates from the Mediterranean region and its name is derived from the Latin lavare, which translates to "wash" and refers to the use of lavender in bath essences and oils. Thanks to its essential oils, lavender was popular already in ancient times and through monks it spread across the Alps to Central Europe. Now it is most commonly found in southern Europe, and only in France is there a unique Mediterranean area where lavender is cultivated for obtaining lavender oil, which is needed as a raw material for the perfume industry. Commercially used areas for cultivating lavender can also be found in Hungary or Bulgaria.

English lavender Lavandula angustifolia is a hardy semi-shrub up to 75cm tall with strong branching and upright shoots. The leaves are sessile, linear to narrowly lanceolate. Fragrant flowers are conspicuously arranged in terminal spikes, with two-lipped corollas in beautiful violet color. Lavender typically blooms from June to August. The fruit of this unique herb consists of nutlets that are brown to dark brown and glossy. In our regions, hardy lavender hybrids are often grown, such as Lavandula x intermedia, or the crossed spike lavender Lavandula latifolia. Both of these varieties are also suitable for harvesting.

Growing lavender is not particularly demanding. It thrives in a sunny location, and if we have it placed in the garden, an ideal spot for its cultivation is one with water drainage. It likes places near dry walls or in rock gardens, suitable soil is slightly calcareous and drier. Numerous cultivated forms and varieties are planted in gardens, parks or even on roundabouts. We can also sow lavender in a greenhouse or place it in window boxes. Seeds are pre-cultivated and in May we plant the seedlings about 30 cm apart. We can also take cuttings from older bushes, which we then plant out.

There are plenty of active substances in lavender, which is why lavender is used extensively in various sectors of both industry and as a culinary herb or medicinal plant. Lavender contains essential oils with high content of linalool, linalyl acetate and aromatic components such as geraniol, cineole or coumarin derivatives. For medicinal purposes, flowers are harvested from June to August, shortly before full bloom. Flowers that are intended for drying are cut at the time when they are just beginning to open. Young leaves that we want to use as a spice can be picked anytime. For fragrant sachets we use flowers, but leaves can also be cut from July to September, as even spent flower heads can be used, since they still have enough aroma for our wardrobe.

As we have already mentioned, lavender is versatile in its use. Therefore, we have some tips for you that you will certainly find useful if you decide to grow lavender at home, or if you are already growing it at home. Our tip: Lavender pillow – this is excellent when placed in bed, as it helps induce sleep. A fragrant sachet not only spreads wonderful freshness in your wardrobe, but also repels insects, especially moths. You can make one by placing fragrant flowers in fabric pouches or handkerchiefs, which are then tied and regularly replaced. Lavender bath – pour a liter of hot water over a full handful of lavender flowers and let the infusion steep like tea, then strain it into the bathwater. Such a bath has a beneficial effect on nervous tension, insomnia, or weakness caused by weather changes or seasonal transitions. If you don't have access to lavender, we recommend using our essential lavender oil.

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