There’s more to this popular plant than meets the eye or nose.

With its refreshing fragrance and vibrantly colored flowers,lavenderis among the most easily recognizable plants.

These lavender facts will make you appreciate this gorgeous and valuable plant even more!

Field of blooming lavender flowers, close-up view of lavender stems and blossoms

Credit:Laurie Black

Laurie Black

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It’s also used in cleaning products for our homes.

In addition, it’sone of the most popular essential oils.

Spanish lavender flowers with purple blooms in a garden setting

Credit:Laurie Black

One of the most important lavender facts is it hasmany medicinal uses too.

Lavender can soothe burns, induce sleep, reduce anxiety and stress, and treat aching muscles and joints.

In ancient Egypt,lavender was used during the mummification processto perfume the corpse.

English lavender plants in a field, with blurred greenery in the background

Credit:Laurie Black

During the Black Plague of the 16th century,lavender oil was used to ward off the dreaded disease.

Bunches of the plant were also sold in the streets to mask the smell of the dead.

Lavender Is Highly Symbolic

Lavender representspurity, devotion, serenity, and calmness.

These themes are often related to the ways lavender is used.

Calmness and serenity point toward lavender’s uses in aiding sleep and easing anxiety.

Purity is shown through lavender’s use throughout history in cleaning and its associations with cleanliness.

However, according to the U.S.

Lavender Growers Association, there are over45 species of lavender and more than 450 different varieties.

These include French, Portuguese, and fringed lavender.