Lavender has been used for thousands of years
The ancient Egyptians already used them disinfecting and healing properties of lavender u. a. for religious ceremonies and as part of their cult of the dead. The bodies of deceased relatives were rubbed with lavender oil in order to preserve them. Pliny the Elder (23 to 79 AD) BC), Roman general, historian and scholar, described the use of lavender in the Roman Empire. The clean Romans used lavender primarily to cleanse the body and clothing, which the name of the plant still indicates today. Lavender comes from the Latin word "lavare", which means "to wash". Incidentally, lavender was often referred to colloquially in Germany as “washing herb”.
also read
- Real lavender - valuable tips for proper care
- Real lavender is only partially hardy
- Lavender varieties vary in height
Monks brought the lavender over the Alps
Finally brought in the High Middle Ages wandering Benedictine monks the herb from Italy across the Alps. The fragrant plant conquered both the monastery and the cottage gardens very quickly, as did the medical scholars and herbalists of the Middle Ages - such as Hildegard von Bingen or Paracelsus - to be recognized Potential. Today, lavender grows in almost all climates of the world, but only grows wild around the Mediterranean.
Different types of lavender
But lavender is not the same as lavender, exist in total about 25 different types.
Real lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) ,
Speiklavender (Lavandula latifolia)
and Coppy lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
are considered to be the three original, wild-growing lavender species from which all others were bred over time. One and only really hardy lavender is the real lavender, all others need protection from frosty temperatures or should not overwinter outdoors.
In its Mediterranean homeland, the lavender grows on extremely barren, often stony ground, both in the plains and at heights of up to 2000 meters. The distinctive poppy lavender, on the other hand, grows wild mainly near the coast. Lavender also needs these living conditions in Germany: poor soils and lots of sun, as otherwise it cannot fully develop its medicinal essential oils.
Tips & Tricks
Are considered to be particularly medicinal Lavender flowers of wild-growing lavender, which comes from a so-called stimulating climate (altitude, salty sea air, lots of sun).
IJA
