Interesting Facts, Tradition and History
The benefits of lavender
There are so many reasons to love lavender. Just the sight of endless lavender fields stretching off into the horizon in the south of France is enough to make many people drift off into a dream-like state. And the smell! Absolutely divine …
The history of lavender
This beautiful plant has a fascinating history and has long been used for its aromatic and healing properties. In Roman times, lavender was highly sought after with the flowers selling for 100 denarii per pound, roughly a month’s wages for a farm labourer. Imagine that!
Originally known as elf leaf, spikenard or simply nard, the English word lavender is thought to be derived from the Old French word, lavandre. This came from the Latin lavare meaning to wash as the Romans often used the herb in bathing and laundering. After washing, bed linen and clothes were dried over lavender bushes, which added a lovely scent to the cloth.
Lavender has been used by many cultures across the ages. It seems everyone was keen to take advantage of this sweet smelling plant.
Roman soldiers carried lavender to dress wounds and combat infection and it was grown by monks and nuns in England in the Middle Ages. During medieval times it was even thought to ward off evil spirits. The ancient Egyptians used it for embalming and in cosmetics, while the ancient Greeks extracted lavender oil for medicine and aromatics.
Lavender became fashionable in Tudor times when it was used to perfume linen and its popularity peaked with the reign of lavender enthusiast, Queen Victoria.
Elizabeth I, the Queen of England and Ireland in the late 1500’s was said to enjoy lavender conserve and required this fragrant pot of jam to be on her table. She also used it as a perfume and in her tea to treat migraines.
Why is lavender so fabulous?
Lavender has been used for centuries in herbal remedies, teas, cooking, cosmetics and perfumes. Medicinally it is regarded as a relaxant, sensory stimulant and nerve tonic, and herbalists use it to treat exhaustion, digestion, headaches and arthritis.
It’s refreshing relaxing scent has balancing properties that may calm the mind and body or boost energy and stamina.
Here are just some of the benefits of lavender:
- Disinfects the scalp and skin
- Reduces anxiety and emotional stress
- Heals burns and wounds
- Improves sleep and treats insomnia
- Restores skin complexion and reduces acne
- Slows aging with powerful antioxidants
- Improves eczema and psoriasis
- Alleviates headaches
- Strengthens immune system
- Helps in treatment of hair loss
- Improves blood circulation
- Provides relief from muscle and join pain
- Defends the body against typhoid, diphtheria and tuberculosis
- Battles respiratory tract infections
- Stimulating effect on urine production
- Aids in digestion
Our lavender products
French Affair are proud to sell a range of products featuring this versatile plant.
Why not try our lavender savon de Marseille soap featuring pure essential oil from the lavender fields in Provence in the south of France. Or treat your senses to our lavender sachets. They’re great to put in a drawer or hang in your wardrobe. For the ultimate luxury, give your shoes a treat with our gorgeous shoe stuffers – all with the serene scent of lavender.
The dried lavender buds in our sachets and shoe stuffers are locally sourced from a lavender farm in rural New South Wales. Why not France, you ask?
With Australia’s strict quarantine rules, any imported dried plants are subjected to fumigation. This treatment involves blasting the lavender with strong chemicals which destroys the beautiful fragrance. And no-one wants lavender sachets infused with horrible chemicals! So, we’re delighted to support local industry to bring you the most natural and sweet smelling lavender possible.
How long does the lavender fragrance last?
Your lavender sachets will retain their distinctive fragrance for many years. To revitalise the scent, just give them a little squeeze. It’s normal that the filling will settle over time, so the bag will not feel as “full”.
Do not wash your sachets or shoe stuffers and don’t allow them to get wet.
And a bonus: We’re all about sustainability, so our lavender sachets and shoe stuffers are hand made from fabric off-cuts, contributing to our zero waste range. You can feel good about yourself being kind to the planet while enjoying all the benefits of lavender for years to come.
