Ah lavender... It's so delicate, so fragrant! We love it! But many of us are unaware of its rich history.
This ancient plant is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean, more specifically in the Persian Gulf, where it is mentioned as early as the 1st century AD.
Although the word "lavender" as we know it first appeared in the Middle Ages, the plant has actually been in use for many years: the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used it to fragrance their baths and clothes. Lavender was later used in perfumes, as well as in remedies and medicines! And it's not all about the fragrance, this little plant is also very useful.
Lavender is a member of the Labiatae family, and has several different species. There are several types of lavender, all of which belong to the Lavandula genus. In France, however, there are only three species: French lavender, English lavender and Portuguese lavender.