Anisha Riggs
Lavender is a flowering member of the mint family, celebrated for its calming fragrance, stunning blooms, and versatility. It is used in a wide range of products, from perfumes and colognes to culinary recipes and beauty products. There are hundreds of types of lavender with slightly different scent notes, and while some lavenders have a more medicinal camphor smell, others have a sweeter fragrance. The fragrance industry has embraced the scent in recent years, with major pillar fragrances such as YSL Libre and Guerlain's Mon Guerlain incorporating lavender.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Species | Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula latifolia, Lavandula stoechas, Lavandula intermedia, Lavandula officinalis |
| Common names | English lavender, Dutch lavender, lavandin, Phenomenal lavender, Provence lavender |
| Fragrance notes | Soothing, calming, aromatic, medicinal, camphorous, rosemary, balsamic resin, vanilla, licorice |
| Uses | Perfumes, colognes, candles, soaps, sachets, teas, culinary recipes, beauty products, aromatherapy, natural remedies, sleep aids |
| Health benefits | May relieve anxiety, depression, and insomnia |
| Care | Requires full sun, well-drained soil, drought-tolerant, water sparingly, prune lightly in early spring |
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What You'll Learn
Types of lavender with fragrance
There are hundreds of types of lavender, with a wide range of lavender varieties available, and over 450 lavender plants to choose from. The most common species are English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and Lavandin (Lavandula intermedia). English lavender is known for its fragrance, while Lavandin produces more oil and has a sharper, more medicinal odour. The hybrid Dutch lavender, or Lavandula intermedia, produces an oil called Lavandin, with a sharper and more medicinal odour. Steam distillation is used to extract the essential oil.
The Lavandin 'Provence' variety is ideal for humid summers and offers a strong fragrance. It is also known as 'Fat Lavender' and is a prolific bloomer with exceptionally large flower spikes and pale lavender highlights. Another variety with a strong fragrance is the Lavandula x intermedia 'Seal', which has an abundance of long violet-blue flower spikes on leafless stems.
The Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso' variety is known for its intense fragrance and striking deep violet flower spikes, earning it the nickname 'Fat Lavender'. Its flowers retain their scent and colour when dried, making it ideal for crafting wands or sachets. The Lavandula x intermedia 'Hidcote Giant' is another variety with a strong fragrance, featuring large and vibrant violet flower spikes on elegant, outward-spraying stems. It is favoured for cut flowers and wand-making due to its long stems.
Phenomenal Lavender is a hybrid that combines the traits of English and Portuguese lavender, making it both beautiful and hardy. It is known for its resilience, stunning blooms, and outstanding fragrance. Other varieties of lavender with notable fragrances include the Munstead, Sweet, French, Meerlo, Hidcote, Green French, and Goodwin Creek. These varieties offer a range of fragrance strengths and floral displays, adding beauty and aroma to any garden.
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Lavender in beauty products
Lavender is a flowering member of the mint family and is probably the most widely recognised fragrance ingredient. It is thought to have originated in the highlands of India, but today, it grows happily in sunny, stony, well-drained spots around the world. France is still the epicentre of production, with more than 80,000 kilos of lavender grown each year. The name 'lavender' comes from the Latin 'lavere', meaning 'to wash', and the Romans perfumed their baths with lavender oil. In medieval times, lavender was strewn on the floors of churches and homes, used to scent linen and clothing, and also in potpourri and sachets.
Lavender is known for its soothing, calming aromatic qualities and is often used in beauty products for its relaxing, sleep-inducing fragrance. For example, L'Occitane's Lavender products are known for their rich formula that foams generously in the bath, leaving skin supple, clean, and delicately scented. Sephora also offers a wide range of lavender skincare products, including a nighttime face oil featuring a 99.4% naturally derived formula to replenish and restore skin while you sleep.
Lavender is also used in beauty products for its therapeutic benefits. For instance, lavender is said to reduce mental stress and increase the arousal rate, as mentioned in a 2016 study. This has led to its use in products aimed at women or women buying for babies and children, such as bath and body products featuring a blend of musk, vanilla, and abstract notes of flowers like lily of the valley, jasmine, and rose.
In addition to its aromatic and therapeutic properties, lavender is also used for its decorative qualities. The plant showcases soft purple, sky blue, or violet flower spikes gracefully swaying in the summer breeze, adding beauty and aroma to any garden.
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Lavender in food and drink
Lavender is a versatile herb that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes, as well as drinks. It is known to pair well with rich and fatty foods, and is often used in herbes de Provence alongside herbs like marjoram, rosemary, savory, and oregano. Culinary lavender is typically cultivated from Lavandula angustifolia plants, commonly known as English or "true" lavender. It has a sweeter and more delicate flavour than other types of lavender, making it ideal for cooking.
When cooking with lavender, it is important to use culinary lavender, which is typically sold fresh or dried. It can be purchased at spice shops, farmers' markets, health food stores, and some grocery chains. If the lavender is not specifically labelled as "culinary", it is best to avoid using it for cooking, as not all lavender is suitable for ingestion. Lavender essential oil, in particular, should not be ingested.
To prepare culinary lavender for use, it is recommended to sift and shake the buds in a sieve to remove any unwanted dried particles. The flowers can be dried and used in potpourri or natural remedies, while the stems can be used as a drink stirrer. When cooking with lavender, less is more, and it should be used as a background flavour rather than the main flavour. It can be added to dishes in small amounts and adjusted to taste.
Lavender has a unique flavour that can enhance both sweet and savoury dishes. It is commonly used in desserts, such as cakes and ice cream, and can also be added to drinks. Lavender pairs well with ingredients like honey, cheese, berries, and citrus. It can be used to make a simple syrup, which can be added to cocktails or non-alcoholic beverages. Lavender can also be infused into honey or sugar, which can then be used in baking or sweet dishes.
In savoury applications, lavender can be used to make a brown butter sauce, which can be drizzled over roasted vegetables or used as a condiment for meat or fish. It can also be added to marinades or rubs for grilled meats or used to make a lavender-infused vinegar for salad dressings or finishing oils. Lavender's floral and slightly citrusy notes make it a versatile ingredient that can add a unique twist to both classic and modern dishes.
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![Greenwood Nursery: Live Perennial Plants - Provence Lavender + Lavandula x Intermedia - [Qty: 2X Pint Pots] - (Click for Other Available Plants/Quantities)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/816fzh8TF6L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Lavender in the home
Lavender is a beloved plant, celebrated for its calming fragrance, stunning blooms, and versatility. It is widely recognised for its soothing, calming aromatic qualities, and its oil has a long history of use in herbal medicine. The earliest recorded use of lavender dates back to ancient Egypt, where it played a role in the mummification process. In ancient Persia, Greece, and Rome, lavender was used as a bath additive, believed to purify the body and mind. Today, lavender is commonly used in aromatherapy to relieve anxiety and promote sleep.
There are hundreds of types of lavender with slightly different scent notes, but the two most common species are English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and lavandin (Lavandula intermedia). English lavender has one of the best fragrances but doesn't produce as much oil as lavandin, so their oils are often combined. Other fragrant varieties include Phenomenal, Provence, Otto Quast, Munstead, Sweet, French, Grosso, Meerlo, Hidcote, Green French, and Goodwin Creek.
When choosing a lavender plant, it's important to select a variety that suits your climate and soil type. Lavender requires full sun, well-drained soil, and minimal watering once established. To harvest lavender for its fragrance, cut the flowers just as they open, and dry them for use in potpourri, cooking, or natural remedies.
Bringing lavender into your home is easy and can enhance your living space with its delightful fragrance. Fresh lavender bouquets can add beauty and aroma to any room, while dried lavender can be placed in sachets or drawers to freshen linens. Lavender oil can be used in a diffuser to spread its calming aroma throughout a room or added to a pillow spray for a restful night's sleep. Lavender can also be used in crafting, such as making lavender-scented playdough.
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Lavender's health benefits
Lavender is a flowering member of the mint family, known for its medicinal properties and fragrance. The earliest recorded use of lavender dates back to ancient Egypt, where lavender oil played a role in the mummification process. In ancient Persia, Greece, and Rome, lavender was used as a bath additive, as these cultures believed that lavender helped purify the body and mind. Today, lavender is used in a variety of ways to promote good health and well-being. Here are some of the health benefits of lavender:
Calming and Sleep Aid
Lavender is well-known for its calming and soothing fragrance, which can help reduce stress and improve sleep. Inhaling lavender's aroma or using lavender-infused essential oils and teas may help improve sleep quality and provide a more restful night's sleep.
Anxiety and Depression
Lavender has been associated with relieving anxiety and depression. Lavender-infused capsules are often used in the treatment of anxiety, and research suggests that inhaling lavender essential oil can have positive effects on people with mild sleep disturbances, which are often associated with anxiety and depression.
Skin Health
Lavender is highly regarded for its skin benefits. It has been studied for its potential in wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additionally, lavender is used in fragrances and shampoos to help purify the skin and improve skin health.
Menstrual Pain Relief
In one study, women who smelled lavender for 30 minutes a day during the first three days of their period reported less pain after two months. Another study found that applying lavender essential oil to the abdomen also helped reduce menstrual pain.
Insect Repellent and Antimicrobial Properties
Lavender has been traditionally used to keep insects away and as a natural cleaner due to its antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
Other Benefits
Lavender has been studied for its potential benefits in hair loss treatment and cancer prevention and treatment. Additionally, it may help reduce colic symptoms in infants and improve their sleep.
It is important to note that while lavender has many potential health benefits, the effectiveness and safety of some applications, such as wound healing, require further research and consultation with healthcare professionals.
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Frequently asked questions
Some highly fragrant lavender plants that you can grow in your garden include Phenomenal Lavender, Provence Lavender, English Lavender, Munstead Lavender, Sweet Lavender, French Lavender, Grosso Lavender, Hidcote Lavender, Green French Lavender, and Goodwin Creek Lavender.
There are several ways to use lavender to benefit from its fragrance. You can add the buds to foods, use them in a potpourri, or steep them in tea. You can also dry the buds and place them in small sachets to freshen your linens. Additionally, lavender oil can be used in a diffuser or applied topically (after diluting it in a carrier oil).
The types of lavender mainly grown for fragrance are Lavandula angustifolia (or Lavandula officinalis), Lavandula latifolia, or the more camphor-y Lavandula stoechas, which smells more like rosemary. The hybrid Dutch lavender, or Lavandula intermedia, produces an oil called lavandin, with a sharper and more medicinal odour.
