Description
Over the next months we will focus on a different scent and give you some extra background information on the
History of the Scent
the Plants from which the scent is derived and
how Popular this scent is.
THIS SCENT IS LAVENDER!
The ancient Greeks called the lavender herb nardus, after the Syrian city of Naarda. It was also commonly called nard.
During Roman times, flowers were sold for 100 denarii per pound, which was about the same as a month's wages for a farm labourer, or fifty haircuts from the local barber. Lavender was commonly used in Roman baths to scent the water, and it was thought to restore the skin. When the Roman Empire conquered southern Britain, the Romans introduced lavender.
During the height of the Plague, glove makers at Grasse would scent their leathers with lavender oil, and this was claimed to ward off the Plague. This story could have some validity as the Plague was transmitted by fleas, which lavender is known to repel.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy, a soccer player for Real Madrid, advocates the use of Lavender, and has been said to coat his boots in it prior to sleep.
The most common species in cultivation is the Common Lavender Lavandula angustifolia.
Lavenders are widely grown in gardens. Flower spikes are used for dried flower arrangements. The fragrant, pale purple flowers and flower buds are used in potpourris. Dried and sealed in pouches, they are placed among stored items of clothing to give a fresh fragrance and as a deterrent to moths. The plant is also grown commercially for extraction of lavender oil from the flowers. This oil is used as an antiseptic and for aromatherapy.
Lavender flowers yield abundant nectar which yields a high quality honey for beekeepers. French chefs in and around Provence have been incorporating this herb into their cuisine for many centuries. Lavender lends a floral, slightly sweet and elegant flavour to most dishes. It is the buds however that contain the essential oil of lavender, which is where both the scent and flavour of lavender are best derived.
Lavender needs little introduction to people as its scent is already hugely popular and well loved. This traditional Lavender fragrance ranks amongst our top 5 sellers.
| 
