Netherfield, producers of 100% pure New Zealand Lavender Essential oil, wrote:
“One of the earliest recorded claims of Lavender oil’s therapeutic qualities comes from the 19th Century when tuberculosis and infection were rampant in France. It was found that those individuals working in the lavender fields of Provence were far less likely to succumb to infection and respiratory ailments, such as tuberculosis, which was virtually unknown in the area. This discovery led to the first clinical tests in 1887 which were to prove the antibacterial properties of lavender essential oil.
“Today in the 21st Century where stress and anxiety are taking their toll on us all, Lavender oil has been proven to alleviate anxiety and to enhance our sense of well being to enable us to significantly improve our lifestyle through personally-enhanced performance while at the same time strengthening our natural defenses against infection.
Essential oils are the key ingredients in aromatherapy. Pure essences from aromatic plants are nature’s gift to the human body and spirit. The heady scents and health-giving properties have been prized since antiquity. Aromatherapy is the modern interpretation of this venerable practice. It uses pure essential oils, derived from plants, to sooth ailments and promote good health.
“The beneficial effects of essential oils to the body are applied many ways, through baths, massage, compresses, vaporisers, atomisers, and inhulations. It cannot be stressed too often how important it is to use pure, natural, authentic essential oils as aromatherapy uses the pharmacological complexity of the plants for their unique therapeutic and olfactory qualities.
“Storing and caring for essential oils: Essential oils are extremely volatile, affected by the environment, light, temperature, air, and moisture. Store in cool, dark and dry places,” Netherfield writes.
Bonnie Plants wrote: “Fragrant purple flowers on tall spikes bloom right from the first year, creates a striking complement to the silvery gray foliage. You will love this plant. The aroma is wonderfully-calming. Ideal for drying and crafts, as well as fresh-cut bouquets. Use edible flowers, which have a sweet floral flavor, for baked goods and lavender lemonade, or serve with berries and citrus. Deer-resistant.
“It is a Perennial in zones 5 to 7 and can be planted after the last frost of Spring and needs light full of sun. It is great in recipes, drying, and crafts.
“Garden use: Herb gardens, containers, vegetable and flower bed
“Culinary use Baking, teas, sugars, jellies, paired with berries or citrus
“Soil requirements: Lavender demands well-drained soil with a pH of 6.7 to 7.3. To improve soil drainage, add builder’s sand or small limestone gravel, or tuck plants into raised beds or on top of a stone wall.
“Water requirements: Lavender prefers drier soil. Heavy, wet soil, especially in Winter, can kill plants.
“Common issues: Lavender thrives in heat, but humidity can lead to fungus issues in some varieties. Plant where air circulation is good, and thin plants as you harvest blooms or stems. Add rock mulch to enhance moisture evaporation beneath plants. Lavender is generally pest-free.
“Harvesting: Pick lavender leaves and stems at any point in the growing season. Best color occurs before buds open; fragrance strengthens as flowers mature. Avoid creating bare spots when clipping.
“Storage: Dried lavender retains its fragrance for months. Fresh stems last in water five to seven days. For longer storage, dry or freeze leaves,” Bonnie Plants wrote.