Medicinal and aromatic plants – industrial profiles

Historical review of the use of lavender
The classical physicians
Lavender has been used as a healing plant and was first mentioned by Dioscorides (
c
. 40–90 
AD
)
who found what was probably 
L. stoechas
growing on the islands of Stoechades (now known as
Hyeres); this was used in Roman communal baths (Festing, 1989). Dioscorides attributed to the
plant some laxative and invigorating properties and advised its use in a tea-like preparation 
for chest complaints (Festing, 1989). The author also recounts that Galen (129–99 
AD
) added
lavender to his list of ancient antidotes for poison and bites and thus Nero’s physician used it in
anti-poison pills and for uterine disorders. Lavender in wine was taken for snake bites stings,
stomach aches, liver, renal and gall disorders, jaundice and dropsy.
Pliny differentiated between 
L. stoechas and L. vera
, the latter was apparently used only 
for diluting expensive perfumes. Pliny the Elder advocated lavender for bereavement as well as
promoting menstruation.