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Description
Lavender, like basil, mint, sage, and rosemary, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. It is a long-lasting plant that can thrive for up to 20 years under ideal conditions. Lavender is considered an all-around powerhouse in the herbal world. For centuries, it has been used to ease insomnia, tension, and skin issues. Its essential oils are believed to have a calming effect on both the body and mind.
Lavender is especially appreciated for its flavor: in teas, it is often paired with chamomile, lemon balm, or green tea. It is also used in gourmet cooking, both in savory and sweet dishes.
Historical Background
The first known use of lavender dates back over 2500 years. The ancient Egyptians used it in the mummification process and as a fragrance for perfumes. Traces of lavender have even been found in the tomb of the famous Pharaoh Tutankhamun. The Romans also valued its aromatic properties, using it to scent baths and clothing. This is where its name comes from, derived from the Latin lavare, meaning “to wash.” In the Middle Ages, lavender was a staple in monastery gardens and was used as a medicinal herb.
Today, the main growing regions for lavender are France, Spain, Italy, and Bulgaria. However, countries like the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand have also become important commercial lavender producers. The south of France, particularly the Provence region, is renowned for producing high-quality lavender grown at altitudes of 800 to 1200 meters. Here, wild mountain lavender is still hand-harvested. To produce 1 kg of essential oil, approximately 150–180 kg of flowers are required—a testament to its exceptional quality.
Interesting Facts
By the way, lavender is not just lavender—there is also lavandin, a hardy hybrid variety. True lavender grows in the higher altitudes around Sault, while lavandin is mostly found in the vast fields of Valensole. The key difference between the two is their resilience: lavandin is more robust and easier to grow, while true lavender requires more specific growing conditions and is therefore less common. Lavandin also has a more intense scent, which is noticeably different from the milder aroma of true lavender.
A major difference is that lavandin produces larger quantities of oil. While around 1000 tons of lavandin oil are produced worldwide, the production of true lavender oil is only about 200 tons—roughly five times less! This is also because extracting essential oil from true lavender is highly labor-intensive. No wonder true lavender is such a high-quality, expensive, and in-demand product.
Whether lavender or lavandin, the blooming fields of Provence are not only a popular photo opportunity but also a crucial source of nectar for honey production. Bees love lavender—the flowers are a valuable food source. In the summer, the air is buzzing around the purple shrubs. Sometimes, the bees collect so much pollen that they can hardly take off. However, lavender is not particularly popular with other insects. For example, dried lavender helps keep moths at bay. Dried lavender flowers are placed in small cotton sachets and distributed between clothes to ward off the pests.
