History, Lore, and Magic of Lavender

The information that follows is excerpted from a longer post:  The Ultimate Guide to Lavender.  For additional information about Lavender such as its cultivation, culinary uses, or its medicinal uses, please click HERE to access the complete original post. Other individual sections are listed below:

Medicinal Uses

Culinary Uses

Description and Cultivation

Lavender and Rustic Iron

Lavender is a plant that has been used and cultivated throughout history.  Its popularity came about through its many uses and powers that have been ascribed to it over time.  This article discusses some of the history and folklore that surround this wonderful plant.

References to lavender abound in the Christian Bible.  According to legend, lavender gets its scent from the newly washed clothes of the infant Jesus that were hung over a lavender bush to dry.  Additionally, the Bible says that when Jesus met Mary Magdalene, she washed his feet and anointed them with lavender perfume.  It is referred to in that instance as "nard", one of the common names for lavender in use at the time.

Lavender and Old Book

Lavender came to the New World with the Pilgrims as it is one of the garden flowers they brought with them when they settled in America. 

The people of the Victorian Era developed an entire language of flowers and plants in which they assigned various meanings and characteristics to those plants.  These meanings were based on lore and tradition. Through this language, they were able to develop a type of system where bouquets made up of many different flowers conveyed a message from the sender to the receiver.  The floral meanings were common knowledge, and so were easily understood by all parties. 

Tussie-Mussies:  Floral Language Bouquets

Lavender was very popular, and had several meanings.  It was a romantic time period and lavender had many romantic meanings, such as acknowledgement, devotion, constant personal attention, and loyalty.  It also conveyed a wish of luck (perhaps in love) to its receiver.  

Lavender and Smudge Sticks

Oddly, lavender also conveyed the ideas of suspicion and distrust, too.  It refers to the romantic notions of suspicion and distrust, though, as in "I am suspicious of your intentions", or "I distrust you with my heart."  These ideas stem from the ancient belief that asps dwell under lavender bushes, so one should always approach a lavender plant with distrust and wariness.

Lavender is purported to have many magical powers and uses.  According to Scott Cunningham, in his book, Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, clothing rubbed with lavender flowers, or placing lavender in a drawer with clothes, attracts love.  A piece of paper on which you've rubbed lavender is great for writing love notes.  The scent supposedly attracts men, so prostitutes used to wear lavender oil or lavender water to advertise their profession and to attract customers.  Lavender is said to protect against cruel treatment at the hands of a spouse, if worn.  Interestingly, if lavender is worn with rosemary, it is said that it will preserve a woman's chastity.

Lavender and Candles

Flowers can be burned or smoldered to induce sleep or rest and are scattered about the home to maintain its peacefulness.  When you are depressed, it is said that just gazing upon the plant will cause all sorrow to depart and a joyous feeling will settle upon you, the observer.  The odor of lavender is conducive to long life and so should be smelled often if this is a concern.  Lavender is used in healing mixtures, carried to see ghosts, worn to protect from the "evil eye", and used in purification baths.

Lavender Bath Preparations

For wish divination, you should place lavender under your pillow while thinking of your wish.  Do this just before retiring for the night.  In the morning, if you have dreamt about anything pertaining to your wish, it will come true.  However, if you did not dream or if your dreams had nothing to do with your wish, it will not manifest.

Lavender Sleep Pillows

I find it rather fascinating how much these "magical" uses for lavender have in common with the medical issues it has traditionally been used to address.  Even more incredible is how much lore and tradition have been shown to be quite accurate in light of modern scientific and medical testing!

Cartload of Lavender

The lore and history of lavender is fascinating to me, as lavender is one of my favorite herbs.  I hope this post has expanded your knowledge of how lavender has been used through time.  Please leave any comments or questions you may have in the area below.  

Peace and Love Always,

Dried Lavender Bouquet

Sources:

Axe, Dr. Josh, MD. "7 Lavender Oil Benefits for Healing." Dr. Axe Food and Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.

Bremness, Leslie. RD Home Handbook: Herbs. Pleasantville: Reader's Digest Association, 1990. Print.

Brown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1995. Print.

Clark, Marnie. "Lavender Essential Oil Uses and Its Benefits for Cancer Patients." The Truth about Cancer. thetruthaboutcancer.com, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.

Clevely, Andi, and Katherine Richmond. The Complete Book of Herbs. New York: Smithmark, 1994. Print.

Cunnningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1992. Print.

Ehrlich, Steven D., NMD. "Lavender." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 2 Jan. 2015. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. Published date is actually most recent review date. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Gips, Kathleen. Flora's Dictionary: The Victorian Language of Herbs and Flowers . Chagrin Falls: TM Publications, 1995. Print.

Kowalchik, Claire, and William H. Hylton, eds. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs . Emmaus: Rodale, 1987. Print.

Kruger, Anna. An Illustrated Guide to Herbs. Stamford: Longmeadow, 1993. Print.

"Lavender." Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 21 Sept. 2015. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.

"Lavender." WebMD. Ed. Therapeutic Research Faculty. WebMD Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2009. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. Material for article provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version.

Nordqvist, Joseph. "What Are the Benefits of Lavender?" Medical Today. Medical News Today, 9 Sept. 2014. Web. 18 Sept. 2016.

Shaudys, Phyllis. The Pleasure of Herbs. Pownal: Storey Communications, 1986. Print.

Shaudys, Phyllis V. Herbal Treasures. Pownal: Storey Communications, 1990. Print.

Photo Credits:

History, Etc of Lavender Header Image:  Photo Credit:  lavender flowers by Es75

Lavender and Rustic Iron:  Photo Credit:  Dry lavender and rustic (rusty) iron - vintage style by lola1960

Lavender Art Wall (on Bible Quote Graphic):   Photo credit: The hills are alive* via Visualhunt.com / CC BY

Lavender and Old Book:  Photo Credit:  very old book on the table with lavender decoration by cucurudza

Tussie-Mussies:   Photo credit: Katsunojiri via Visualhunt.com / CC BY

Lavender and Smudge Sticks:  Photo Credit:  Lavendel und Zitronengras im Morser by gelilewa

Lavender and Candles:  Photo Credit:  candle, lavender and sea salt by almaje

Lavender Bath Preparations:  Photo Credit:  spa lavender products by Marco Mayer

Lavender Sleep Pillow:  http://www.eatlivegrowpaleo.com/2012/04/herbs-lavender.html

Cartload of Lavender:  Photo Credit:  Vintage pushcart with bunches of purple lavender by yolfran

Dried Lavender Bouquet:  Photo Credit:  by PDGR

History, Etc of Lavender Header Image:  Photo Credit:  lavender flowers by Es75