The unique properties of lavender are revealed

Lavender has been valued since ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks were the first Europeans to study, cultivate and value this plant. GreekReporter writes about it.

The first known mention of lavender appeared over 2500 years ago in ancient Egypt. There, the plant was used in embalming and beautification, as evidenced by the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922, where jars of ointments containing lavender-like elements were found.

Scientists say that lavender first appeared on the Greek islands, and then it was brought to France around 600 BC. Further – until the 17th century, it spread to other countries, including England and the United States.

The Greeks used lavender as an aromatic, medicinal and perfume ingredient. In particular, in the third century BC, the Greek philosopher Theophrastus described its healing properties in his book On smells.

“When you put perfume on your head, they fly into the air, but if I put them on my feet, the fragrance envelops my whole body and rises to my nose,” wrote another ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes.

And the outstanding Greek lyric poet Anacreon advised applying lavender ointment to the chest.

Lavender has always been used in soaps and cosmetics for its refreshing scent and antiseptic properties. Herbalists used this plant as medicine.

In ancient Greece, lavender was considered a remedy for insomnia and back pain. It is also used for digestive disorders, sore throats and headaches.

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, wrote that it “heats the brain, tired from working for years,” and noted that eating this plant is very curative for liver and spleen diseases.

Moreover, Hippocrates believed that fumigation with lavender could destroy not only a heavy smell, but also an evil spirit.

Let’s remind, earlier the florist called home plants dangerous for humans.