Lavandula
Officinalis
Lavender has been well loved for centuries and has been
used in baths, sachets, potpourris and linens. It is also
used to give a light flavor to fruit dishes, sauces, cordials,
and
confections
as well as its more traditional medical and anticeptic uses.
A fine varnish is also made from the oil.
Lavender grows throughout Europe as far north as Norway
and has in fact recently taken off with gusto in
Australia. Older Herbals describe English Lavender as being
of top quality
although French and Meditteranean peoples dispute this claim
with vigour. Suffice to say each has its own merit and common
benefits. The plant is generally bushy achieving a height
of between 1 - 3 feet.
The shrub grows in small bushes and the extract prepared
from the whole, although the best oil is made only from the
flowering tops. |
