Lavender's glorious hues and beguiling aromatic perfume have ensured it a place in the hearts of men and women almost since time began.  With it's unmistakable perfume, Lavender has been recognized since Roman times for it's healing and antiseptic qualities, it's ability to deter insects and for washing.  During the Great Plague in London, grave robbers who plundered plague victims personal belongings washed in Four Thieves Vinegar which contained Lavender.  The thieves rarely contracted the disease.  In sixteenth century France, Lavender was again used as a protectant against infection.  Glove makers who were licensed to perfume their wares with Lavender escaped cholera at that time.

    There are many references to lavender in the Bible, using its ancient name, spikenard.  In the gospel of St. Luke, the writer reports: "Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment."

    In Tudor times, lavender seemed to have a direct line to cupid. A maiden would sip a brew of lavender on St. Luke's Day while murmuring "St Luke St Luke, be kind to me. In my dreams, let me my true love see." Alpine girls tucked Lavender under their lovers pillows to turn their thoughts to romance.  Newlyweds put branches of dried Lavender under their mattresses to ensure marital passion. Today, Lavender is still associated with passion and love as well as a stress reliever and relaxant.

   Lavender at Scott County Lavender is used dry and as essential oil.  It is hung in the barn to dry in the soft breeze.  It is also distilled in our copper stills to make essential oil.  Lavender essential oil is extracted from the cells in the fragrant part of the plants by distillation. The essential oil is the fragrant part of the plant in it's liquid form.

Some uses of lavender essential oil are:

• Rub a few drops on a light bulb indoors to scent the air or outdoors to repel insects.
• Add several drops to a warm bath for deep relaxation, it also helps heal cuts, scratches, bites, and decreases swelling.
• Blend 2-3 drops with 1 tsp. of base oil for a relaxing and de-stressing massage.
• Add 5-8 drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot steaming water. Lean over the bowl covering your head with a towel and inhale. This will clear a stuffy nose and clear skin blemishes and acne.
• Lavender oil drops can be used as an antiseptic to help heal cuts, grazes, for inflammation from burns, boils, and animal bites.
• Dab a drop of oil on the temple to relieve a migraine or other headache.