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:''For the colour shade, see [[Lavender (color)]]''
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Lavender
| image = Single lavendar flower02.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Lavender flowers
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = '''''Lavandula'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
About 25-30, including:<br/>
''[[Lavandula abrotanoides]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula angustifolia]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula canariensis]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula dentata]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula lanata]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula latifolia]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula multifida]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula pinnata]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula stoechas]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula viridis]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula x intermedia]]''
}}
The '''Lavenders''' ''Lavandula'' are a [[genus]] of about 25-30 species of [[flowering plant]]s in the mint family, [[Lamiaceae]], native from the [[Mediterranean]] region south to tropical [[Africa]] and to the southeast regions of [[India]]. The genus includes [[annual plant|annuals]], [[herbaceous]] plants, [[subshrub]]s, and small [[shrub]]s. The native range extends across the [[Canary Islands]], North and East [[Africa]], south [[Europe]] and the Mediterranean, [[Arabia]], and [[India]]. Because the cultivated forms are planted in gardens world-wide, they are occasionally found growing wild, as garden escapees, well beyond their natural range.
{|align=left
|[[Image:Lavender02.jpg|left|thumb|Lavender flower]]
|-
|[[image:lavender-flowers.jpg|left|thumb|thumb|Lavender flowers]]
|-
|[[Image:Topped lavender.jpg|left|thumb|''Lavandula stoechas'']]
|-
|[[image:Lavender_FarmTomita.jpg|left|thumb|A lavender farm in [[Hokkaidō]]]]
|}
==Uses==
The most common species in cultivation is the Common Lavender ''[[Lavandula angustifolia]]'' (formerly ''L. officinalis''). A wide range of [[cultivar]]s can be found. Other commonly grown ornamental species are ''[[Lavandula stoechas|L. stoechas]]'', ''L. dentata'', and ''L. multifida''.
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 [[potpourri]]s. Dried and sealed in pouches, they are placed among stored items of clothing to give a fresh fragrance and as a deterrent to [[moth]]s. 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 (plant)|nectar]] which yields a high quality [[honey]] for [[beekeeper]]s. Lavender [[monofloral honey]] is produced primarily in the nations around the [[Mediterranean]], and marketed worldwide as a premium product. Lavender flowers can be candied and are used as cake decoration. Lavender is also used as a herb, either alone or as an ingredient of ''[[herbes de Provence]]''. Lavender is also used to flavour sugar, the product being called "lavender sugar", and the flowers are sometimes sold in a blend with black tea, as "lavender tea".
French chefs in and around [[Provence]], France have been incorporating this herb into their cuisine for many centuries. Lavender lends a floral, slightly sweet and elegant flavour to most dishes. For most cooking applications it is the dried buds (also referred to as flowers) of lavender that are utilised, though some chefs experiment with the leaves as well. 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.
===Medicinal use===
[[image:LavendarFlower.jpg|thumb|right|Flower of cultivated lavender; ''Lavandula stoechas'' or Spanish lavender]]
Lavender has been used extensively in [[herbalism]].
English lavender, [[Lavandula angustifolia]], yields a highly effective essential oil with very sweet overtones, and can be used in balms, salves, perfumes, cosmetics, and topical applications. French lavender, Lavandula x intermedia, yields a similar essential oil, with higher contents of [[turpin]], which adds a harsher overtone to the fragrance. Spanish lavender, [[Lavandula stoechas]] is not used medicinally, but mainly for landscaping purposes.
Essential oil of lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It was used in hospitals during WWI to disinfect floors, walls and other surfaces.
An infusion of lavender is claimed to soothe and heal insect bites. Bunches of lavender are also said to ward off insects. If applied to the temples, lavender oil is said to soothe headaches. Lavender is frequently used as an aid to sleep and relaxation: Seeds and flowers of the plant are added to pillows, and an [[infusion]] of three flowerheads added to a cup of boiling water are recommended as a soothing and relaxing bedtime drink. [[Lavender oil]] (or extract of Lavender) is claimed to heal [[Acne vulgaris|acne]] when used diluted 1:10 with water, [[rosewater]], or [[witch hazel (astringent)|witch hazel]]; it is also used in the treatment of skin burns and inflammatory conditions (it is a traditional treatment for these in [[Iran]]).
'''Health precautions:''' There is scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of some of these remedies, especially the anti-inflammatory effects, but they should be used with caution since lavender oil can also be a powerful [[allergen]]. Ingesting lavender should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.<ref>[http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Lavenderch.html Lavender: Precautions], Center for Integrative Medicine</ref>.
=== Gynaecomastia ===
Two essential oils, [[lavender]] and [[tea tree oil]], have been implicated in causing [[gynaecomastia]], an abnormal breast tissue growth in prepubescent boys. An article in the New England Journal of Medicine claimed that the use of shampoo and similar products, containing lavender and tea tree oils, in 3 boys resulted in this condition. The authors were contacted, but have refused to identify the products used or discuss their work further. General knowledge of the formulas of such products, however, suggests that the levels of these materials could not have exceeded a few tenths of one percent--certainly not enough to produce ''any'' kind of adverse effects. However, a child hormone specialist at the [[University of Cambridge]] has claimed "... these oils can mimic [[oestrogen]]s" and "people should be a little bit careful about using these products". <ref>{{cite news
| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6318043.stm
| publisher=BBC News
| date=February 1, 2007
| accessdate=2007-09-09
| title=Oils make male breasts develop}}</ref><ref>[http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/356/5/479 N. Engl. J. Med. 356(5):479-85 (2007)] ''Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils.'' PMID 17267908</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/03/AR2006070300769.html
|title=Bad Shampoo for Boys?
|date=2004-07-04
|accessdate=2007-03-20
}}</ref>
==History==
[[image:Lavandula_intermedia.jpg|thumb|right|Hardy and disease resistant; ''Lavandula Intermedia'' or Silver Edge lavender]]
The [[Ancient Greece|ancient Greeks]] called the lavender herb ''nardus'', after the Syrian city of Naarda. It was also commonly called ''nard''.
During [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] times, flowers were sold for 100 ''[[denarii]]'' per [[Ancient Roman units of measurement#Weight|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 bath]]s 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 [[Black Death|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 [[flea]]s, 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.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
'''Medicinal use'''
*[http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Lavenderch.html Medicinal use: University of Maryland Medical Center]
*[http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/l/lavend13.html Medicinal use, Modern and Historical: botanical.com]
*[http://www.purplehazelavender.com/varieties.html Details on all varieties of lavender plants.]
'''Cultivars'''
*[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Lavandula&SPECIES_XREF=&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK=species Flora Europaea: ''Lavandula'']
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=117756 Flora of China: ''Lavandula'']
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Lavender
| image = Single lavendar flower02.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Lavender flowers
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = '''''Lavandula'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
About 25-30, including:<br/>
''[[Lavandula abrotanoides]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula angustifolia]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula canariensis]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula dentata]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula lanata]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula latifolia]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula multifida]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula pinnata]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula stoechas]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula viridis]]''<br/>
''[[Lavandula x intermedia]]''
}}
The '''Lavenders''' ''Lavandula'' are a [[genus]] of about 25-30 species of [[flowering plant]]s in the mint family, [[Lamiaceae]], native from the [[Mediterranean]] region south to tropical [[Africa]] and to the southeast regions of [[India]]. The genus includes [[annual plant|annuals]], [[herbaceous]] plants, [[subshrub]]s, and small [[shrub]]s. The native range extends across the [[Canary Islands]], North and East [[Africa]], south [[Europe]] and the Mediterranean, [[Arabia]], and [[India]]. Because the cultivated forms are planted in gardens world-wide, they are occasionally found growing wild, as garden escapees, well beyond their natural range.
{|align=left
|[[Image:Lavender02.jpg|left|thumb|Lavender flower]]
|-
|[[image:lavender-flowers.jpg|left|thumb|thumb|Lavender flowers]]
|-
|[[Image:Topped lavender.jpg|left|thumb|''Lavandula stoechas'']]
|-
|[[image:Lavender_FarmTomita.jpg|left|thumb|A lavender farm in [[Hokkaidō]]]]
|}
==Uses==
The most common species in cultivation is the Common Lavender ''[[Lavandula angustifolia]]'' (formerly ''L. officinalis''). A wide range of [[cultivar]]s can be found. Other commonly grown ornamental species are ''[[Lavandula stoechas|L. stoechas]]'', ''L. dentata'', and ''L. multifida''.
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 [[potpourri]]s. Dried and sealed in pouches, they are placed among stored items of clothing to give a fresh fragrance and as a deterrent to [[moth]]s. 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 (plant)|nectar]] which yields a high quality [[honey]] for [[beekeeper]]s. Lavender [[monofloral honey]] is produced primarily in the nations around the [[Mediterranean]], and marketed worldwide as a premium product. Lavender flowers can be candied and are used as cake decoration. Lavender is also used as a herb, either alone or as an ingredient of ''[[herbes de Provence]]''. Lavender is also used to flavour sugar, the product being called "lavender sugar", and the flowers are sometimes sold in a blend with black tea, as "lavender tea".
French chefs in and around [[Provence]], France have been incorporating this herb into their cuisine for many centuries. Lavender lends a floral, slightly sweet and elegant flavour to most dishes. For most cooking applications it is the dried buds (also referred to as flowers) of lavender that are utilised, though some chefs experiment with the leaves as well. 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.
===Medicinal use===
[[image:LavendarFlower.jpg|thumb|right|Flower of cultivated lavender; ''Lavandula stoechas'' or Spanish lavender]]
Lavender has been used extensively in [[herbalism]].
English lavender, [[Lavandula angustifolia]], yields a highly effective essential oil with very sweet overtones, and can be used in balms, salves, perfumes, cosmetics, and topical applications. French lavender, Lavandula x intermedia, yields a similar essential oil, with higher contents of [[turpin]], which adds a harsher overtone to the fragrance. Spanish lavender, [[Lavandula stoechas]] is not used medicinally, but mainly for landscaping purposes.
Essential oil of lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It was used in hospitals during WWI to disinfect floors, walls and other surfaces.
An infusion of lavender is claimed to soothe and heal insect bites. Bunches of lavender are also said to ward off insects. If applied to the temples, lavender oil is said to soothe headaches. Lavender is frequently used as an aid to sleep and relaxation: Seeds and flowers of the plant are added to pillows, and an [[infusion]] of three flowerheads added to a cup of boiling water are recommended as a soothing and relaxing bedtime drink. [[Lavender oil]] (or extract of Lavender) is claimed to heal [[Acne vulgaris|acne]] when used diluted 1:10 with water, [[rosewater]], or [[witch hazel (astringent)|witch hazel]]; it is also used in the treatment of skin burns and inflammatory conditions (it is a traditional treatment for these in [[Iran]]).
'''Health precautions:''' There is scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of some of these remedies, especially the anti-inflammatory effects, but they should be used with caution since lavender oil can also be a powerful [[allergen]]. Ingesting lavender should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.<ref>[http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Lavenderch.html Lavender: Precautions], Center for Integrative Medicine</ref>.
=== Gynaecomastia ===
Two essential oils, [[lavender]] and [[tea tree oil]], have been implicated in causing [[gynaecomastia]], an abnormal breast tissue growth in prepubescent boys. An article in the New England Journal of Medicine claimed that the use of shampoo and similar products, containing lavender and tea tree oils, in 3 boys resulted in this condition. The authors were contacted, but have refused to identify the products used or discuss their work further. General knowledge of the formulas of such products, however, suggests that the levels of these materials could not have exceeded a few tenths of one percent--certainly not enough to produce ''any'' kind of adverse effects. However, a child hormone specialist at the [[University of Cambridge]] has claimed "... these oils can mimic [[oestrogen]]s" and "people should be a little bit careful about using these products". <ref>{{cite news
| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6318043.stm
| publisher=BBC News
| date=February 1, 2007
| accessdate=2007-09-09
| title=Oils make male breasts develop}}</ref><ref>[http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/356/5/479 N. Engl. J. Med. 356(5):479-85 (2007)] ''Prepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils.'' PMID 17267908</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/03/AR2006070300769.html
|title=Bad Shampoo for Boys?
|date=2004-07-04
|accessdate=2007-03-20
}}</ref>
==History==
[[image:Lavandula_intermedia.jpg|thumb|right|Hardy and disease resistant; ''Lavandula Intermedia'' or Silver Edge lavender]]
The [[Ancient Greece|ancient Greeks]] called the lavender herb ''nardus'', after the Syrian city of Naarda. It was also commonly called ''nard''.
During [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] times, flowers were sold for 100 ''[[denarii]]'' per [[Ancient Roman units of measurement#Weight|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 bath]]s 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 [[Black Death|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 [[flea]]s, 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.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
'''Medicinal use'''
*[http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Lavenderch.html Medicinal use: University of Maryland Medical Center]
*[http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/l/lavend13.html Medicinal use, Modern and Historical: botanical.com]
*[http://www.purplehazelavender.com/varieties.html Details on all varieties of lavender plants.]
'''Cultivars'''
*[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Lavandula&SPECIES_XREF=&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK=species Flora Europaea: ''Lavandula'']
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=117756 Flora of China: ''Lavandula'']
[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
