scientific name; lavandula angustifolia
origin; old world
cultivation purpose; ornament, cosmetic, medicine, culinary
edibility; greens, flowerbuds, nectar
spiritual meaning; purity, devotion, serenity
the word lavender comes from the Latin lavare (to wash). the romans used it's fragrant oils in baths due to its aromatherapeutic benefits, they thought it was so epic and cool: relieving stress and inducing sleep. egyptians used lavender for embalming, and the greeks benefitted from its medicinal properties whether its severe (healing wounds, treating burns, and ward off disease) or minor (ease digestive complaints and headaches)... you think thats the end? hate mosquitoes? other pesky bugs? but you love fuzzy booty bees? PLANT LAVENDER! bees love'em, mosquiitoes hate'em. the earlier name, hortensia, is a latinised version of the french given name hortense, honoring french astronomer and mathematician Nicole-Reine Hortense Lepaute. im glad we use the greek one more... french people.... /j