Lavender

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As beautiful as it is heavily scented, Lavender has been established for centuries as a favorite garden plant. Can be found across Europe thanks to the Romans who took the plant everywhere with them; most Roman records praise it for its scent and therapeutic value. The oil was used in hot baths to soothe anxiety, depression, and high blood pressure. It’s also a disinfectant, either in a bath or as part of a compress, or applied directly to the skin. It is said that people in the Mediterranean would also prevent headaches from the heat by weaving sprigs of Lavender into their hats. In more domestic settings lavender was a strewing plant- the dried heads of flowers strewn across the floors to release the scent as it was walked across. It also acted as an insect repellant, keeping fleas and mites away. The flowers were also used as perfume for centuries.

In general folk medicine lavender is used predominantly for its antiseptic properties, with the oil used as such up until WWII- either applied direct, or diluted to create a wash; Red Lavender Oil- a cordial made from Lavender, Rosemary, Cinnamon Bark, Nutmeg, and Red Sandalwood, is even still used in some Hospitals today. Lavender is also used to soothe headaches. The oil is applied directly to the temples and can lessen migraines and aid in relaxation. A tea of the flowers achieves similar results.

'Folk Magic and Healing: An Unusual History of Everyday Plants' by Fez Inkwright