Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Lavendula Augustifolia--English Lavender



I knew there were many different kinds of lavender, but I didn't know that there were almost 40 different species; plus hybrids, cultivars, varieties. My, my! The plant has been known and loved since Roman times. Both the word "lavender" and "lavatory" come from the same root, having something to do with washing, so lavender has been perfuming soaps for a very long time. However, as I mentioned in the tea tree post, it can be bad for you. One of the major chemicals found in lavender is linalool, which is toxic and can cause cancer. The plant can be very pretty. But it is best to avoid using fragrances in personal care products, even natural ones.

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