Lavender, the mainstay of the traditional English garden, is both a fragrant and medicinal herb.  It is mainly known for it's calming effect, but it has other uses.  Lavender oil is often added to massage oil to help relax muscles and relieve tension.  Adding a little lavender oil to the water when you rinse your hail helps prevent dandruff.  It is also used to treat skin problems such as acne and insect bites.  Aromatherapists use it to treat nervous disorders.  At Steamboat Healing center & Spa, it is often added to the mineral bath water to aid relaxation.  Adding lavender oil to bath water also aids circulation.   Lavender has antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, and anti-depressant properties.  In addition to oil, lavender can be prepared and sold as tea, tincture, infusion or dried flowers.  As a tea, it is used for digestion problems and flatulence.  Inhaling the oil or the flower scent is a sleep aid.  Or just stick the dried flowers in your pillow.

Lavender is associated with the heart chakra so it may aid in strengthening that energy center.

Lavender folklore:

The Egyptian soaked linens in lavender before wrapping mummies with them.

The ancient Romans burned lavender to surround a newborn child and mother with the scent of compassion.  They would also put it in linen drawers and laundry.  Roman soldiers would also use it on wounds and burns.

Lavender was believed to attract men.  It is claimed that Cleopatra wore a lavender based perfume when she seduced Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony.

In some places, a cross of lavender was hung on the door to keep out evil.

The ancient Greeks would anoint their feet with lavender.

Lavender has also been used in religious ceremonies.  In the Bible, it is called Spikenard.  The ointment used to anoint Jesus' feet was made with lavender (Spikenard).

The Greeks used in their temples.

In the middle ages, monks and nuns made various medicines from it.

Spouses who put lavender between the bed sheets will not argue.