<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><figcaption>Lavender growing on Thompson Street Farm is a passion for us. South Glastonbury, CT. Picture Brenda J. Sullivan (Click Here to view picture)</figcaption></figure>

Today's show is all about Lavender; this is a plant I know reasonably well because we grow a lot of it, and I wanted to share with you just how incredible this plant is.

I'll share its history, the difference among the species, growing tips if you're interested in growing a plant or two.

Its exceptional medicinal properties and at the end of this posting, I'll give you some simple recipes to get you started.

Lavender is one of the most versatile plants I’ve ever come across.  How many plants do you know of that can do all this?

Culinary – cooking, baking to beverages

Crafting

Medicinal and aromatherapy properties

Bath and Body products

Pet care products

Landscaping  because its drought tolerant

Pest control – Which originally how lavender got so popular.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><figcaption>Lavender was used in a variety of ways during the Middle Ages – picture Google Images (Click Here to view picture)</figcaption></figure>

In the Middle Ages, lavender was used for its insecticidal properties. They would scatter it on the flowers of castles and sickrooms as a disinfectant and deodorize.

In China, it was used as a cure-all using a medicinal oil called “White Flower Oil.”

In wartime, lavender was used as an ingredient in smelling salts and disinfect wounds.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><figcaption>Lavender has a wide range of medicinal uses – Picture Google Images (Click Here to view picture)</figcaption></figure>

Other Historical Uses Include

It was thought to have aphrodisiac properties and surprise! It's still on the aphrodisiac list today! It's true. I've heard several women whisper how they feel after using my lavender products.

It was used to embalm corpses

Cure animals of lice

Tamed Lyons and tigers

Repelled mosquitoes (and it still does!)

An ingredient for snuff

Flavoring for vinegars, jellies and salads

Medicinally, lavender was used to treat headaches, hysteria, nervous palpations, hoarseness, palsy, toothaches, sore joints, apoplexy, colic, coughs, and rumbling digestive systems.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><figcaption>Lavender Monograph – Picture Google Images (Click Here to view picture)</figcaption></figure>

Member Of The Mint Family

Lavender is a member of the Mint Family or – Labiatae – a family of flowering plants that are frequently aromatic. The word lavender comes from the Latin verb, lavare, which means “to wash” or “to bathe.”

Large commercial lavender operations are native to the mountainous regions of countries bordering the western half of the Mediterranean region and Europe. But, good news for us, lavender is now grown in all parts of the world.

There are approximately 45 species of lavender with hundreds of various genotypes or what I call cultivators, which now makes it possible to grow this beautiful plant in just about every climate. For simplicity, I'm only going to mention four of the most popular varieties.

Which Lavender I Right For You?

Which Lavender is right for you? That depends on the climate you live in and the soil. Also, depending on where you live in the world, the lavender descriptions change.

So I don’t confuse you, I’m using US descriptions for lavender – if you live across the pond from us here in the US or Australia, you’re lavenders descriptions will differ slightly – know, we’re all talking about the same plants.

So, what’s the difference between English, French, and Spanish lavender?

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><figcaption>English Lavender Lavendula Angustifolia Picture Google Images (<a href="https://livingandlovinherbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/English-Lavender-2-1.jpg" t