Lavender
I have the most beautiful places to write. When I’m at my writing desk, I look out the window and see two rectangular Lavender beds. In the summer, the buzzing of bees creates a noticeable hum as thousands of them hover over the flowers and sip the sweet nectar. When a gentle breeze wafts through the open windows, the scent of the flowers hangs in the air and reaches my nose. It creates a calm haven as I write, transporting me to the fields of Lavender I remember from traveling to Provence, in Southern France. I have always loved Lavender for its beauty and scent, but I didn’t realize how interesting its history was until I began writing The Suitcase Adventures: Paris-Behind the Peacock Gate.
As I learned more about Lavender, I discovered it has been a natural kind of apothecary for over 2500 years. Ancient herbalists used Lavender for its many medicinal benefits, such as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Roman soldiers would take Lavender into the battlefields with them to treat and heal their wounds. I find it interesting that the Latin root “lavare”, which means to wash (where the French verb se laver comes from) is so closely linked to Lavender. Romans used it to scent their baths, hair, beds, and clothes. It was used as a perfume and room freshener as well. The scent of Lavender also repels moths and other insects, which is one of the reasons small pouches of dried Lavender, or sachets, became popular to place in dresser drawers.
The healing properties of Lavender are still used today. The use of Lavender oil is said to provide antioxidant protection, heals cuts and burns, improves acne, and alleviates headaches, migraines, and motion sickness. It is commonly used in aromatherapy and in skin care and bath products. The calming effect of Lavender is known to soothe anxiety, alleviate stress and depression, and relieves insomnia. It’s truly amazing that this beautiful plant has so many effective uses.
Since Lavender is part of the mint family, it is used in cooking, too. It can be found in Herbes de Provence - a mixture of herbs from the region of Provence, and is added to give a unique freshness to cheeses, desserts, drinks, meat, salads, seafoods, and soups . Because of its rich purple color, it is a naturally beautiful adornment in the artistic presentation of foods. You can find some unique recipes that use Lavender here: http://www.lavendersense.com/index.php/Lavender/Recipes
In my upcoming novel, The Suitcase Adventures: Paris-Behind the Peacock Gate, Brianna finds out that her French grandmother, Mamie, owns the Dubois Soap Company. Mamie’s company makes soap from the Lavender fields the family purchased long ago near the town of Èze. Brianna discovers that in the days leading up to the French Revolution, Roland Dubois, her great-great-great-great grandfather, was King Louis XVI’s chief soap maker. He became a confidant to the king and was one of the only people he could trust. As a gift of thanks to Roland for his loyalty, Louis XVI gave Roland land near the town of Èze. Since Roland had the noble name Du Bois, which indicated he was part of the nobility in France, which was under attack by the revolutionaries at the time, he fled Paris and escaped to Èze. It was there that he began planting Lavender on the rolling hills of Provence, and the Dubois Soap Company was born.
Generations later, Mamie still runs the company, owns the Hôtel de la Paix in Paris, and manages the Dubois family fortune. Mamie has conducted herself with the highest of moral and ethical standards…until now, or at least that’s how she feels. When Mamie disappears, Brianna must use what she’s learned about her family, and herself, to save Mamie and the family fortune before it’s too late.
I look forward to sharing another glimpse of Brianna’s adventure with you next month.
À bientôt.