The name lavender comes from the Latin root lavare, which means "to wash." Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) most likely earned this name because it was frequently used in baths to help purify the body and spirit. Lavender has been extensively used in herbalism for its medicinal properties, as it yields a highly effective essential oil with very sweet overtones. This herb is considered by many to be a natural remedy for a range of ailments, from insomnia and anxiety to depression. Recent studies bear out years of anecdotal evidence showing that lavender produces calming, soothing, and sedative effects.

Lavender is also used as a culinary herb, either alone or as an ingredient of Herbs de Provence. This herb lends a floral, yet slightly sweet and elegant flavor to most dishes. For most cooking applications, the dried buds of lavender are utilized because they contain the essential oil of lavender, which is where both the scent and flavor of lavender are best derived. Lavender can also be blended into teas for a calming, soothing blend. Many people also appreciate lavender for its aromatic fragrance, and use it in cosmetics, perfumes, salves, soaps, shampoos, and sachets for scenting clothes.