Lavender is an ancient aromatic herb and a member of the mint family. Evergreen, woody, this shrub has spikes of flowers ranging from deep purple to pale pink and even white. Lavender thrives in hot and dry climates and likes rocky alkaline soil.

Lavender was used in ancient times for cleansing, bathing and perfume. The Egyptians used it in their mummification process. When the tomb of Tutankhamen was discovered in 1922, the distinctive fragrance of lavender could still be detected nearly 3000 years after the entombment.

From then until now, lavender has been valued mostly for its fragrance. With its chemical content of linalool and esters, lavender is a natural antiseptic, antibiotic and insect repellant.