國花系列:LAVENDER (葡萄牙)

Lavender is an herb rich in history and culture. Long prized for its scent and healing properties, it is also one of the most beloved plants in the garden. Ranging in colors from vivid sun-soaked indigo to a subtle violet-white; it evokes within all who encounter this plant a sense of calming and rest through its wonderful heady and unmistakable aroma. Lavender is rich in aromatic molecules called esters, which are antispasmodic, pacifying and tonic, while other molecules give it its antiviral, bacterial and anti-inflammatory powers. One of the most consistent of the many therapeutic attributes of Lavender oil is respiratory relief. Hood River Lavender's Certified Organic Lavender oil is of particular benefit to respiratory relief.

With its magnificent hues and beguiling aromatic perfume, Lavender has had its place in the hearts of men and women almost since the beginning of time. In ancient Rome lavender was recognized for its healing and antiseptic qualities, its ability to deter insects, and for washing. The name of lavender comes from the Latin word ‘lavare’ meaning ‘to wash’, and was used as a ritual bathing herb in ancient Rome.

Biblical references and folklore have mingled together over the years, and it was believed that Adam and Eve took lavender with them when they were banished from the Garden of Eden. As that legend goes, lavender later received its perfume distinction when Mary laid the baby Jesus’ clothes upon a bush of it to dry. Lavender was later regarded to ward off evil and in Medieval times a cross made of lavender hung over the door provided a safeguard against disease and evil in general.

During the 17th century in London, it was suggested that a bunch of lavender be tied around the wrist to protect one from the Great Plague. To the credit of our ancestors, lavender really did provide a protection from evil in that it did appear to guard against disease.





lavender薰衣草，英文名“lavender"
薰衣草是一種馥郁的紫藍色的小花，原產於地中海一帶，其中以法國南部的普羅旺斯最爲著名。因其美麗芳香的花穗和浪漫的色彩，被譽爲“寧靜的香水植物”。薰衣草的香氣濃郁，另人感到安寧鎮靜，具有潔淨身心的功效，古羅馬人就常用它來沐浴薰香。

薰衣草性喜乾燥，花形如小麥穗狀，有著細長的莖幹，
花上覆蓋著星形細毛，末梢上開著小小的紫藍色花朵，窄長的葉片呈
灰綠色，成株時高可達８０公分，通常在六月開花。每當花開風吹起
時，一整片的薰衣草田宛如深紫色的波浪層層疊疊地上下起伏著，剎
是美麗。
在中古時期，因薰衣草本身具有殺蟲效果，人們通常把用薰衣草作成
香包放在櫥櫃中，來驅蟲；而羅馬人則因其具有抗菌力，因此常用薰
衣草來泡澡和清潔傷口；在世界大戰抗生素缺乏時，曾經用薰衣草來
抗發炎。近幾年來，由於其顯著的療效、美麗的色彩及迷人的香味，
因而走出「傳統藥草」，進而更是成為流行的『芳香（aromatheraphy）
療法』主要原料之一。由薰衣草提煉出來的芳香精油是所有芳香精油
中治療用途最廣的一種。

Over time lavender has been associated with love. In Tudor times, if a maiden wanted to know the identity of her true love, she would sip a brew of lavender on St. Luke’s day while murmuring: “St. Luke, St. Luke, be kind to me, In my dreams, let my true love see me”. Alpine girls tucked lavender under the pillows of their lovers in hopes of turning their thoughts toward love and romance. Once married, newlyweds would put bunches of lavender under their mattress to ensure that marital passion.

薰衣草的愛情傳說

紫藍的薰衣草，往往與浪漫的愛情是分不開的。當您與戀人置身在薰衣草田中，風吹起時，大自然暖紫色的海浪，一種唯美的蠱惑，好像時間都爲你們停頓了。法國的普羅旺斯與日本北海道的富良野亦是因此而永遠美麗，永遠是浪漫電影的拍攝場景。

有關薰衣草的愛情故事很多，不過很奇怪，許多時候這些故事都是與魔鬼或是與神聖有關，可能是薰衣草從古便被認爲是具有神力的一種神聖藥草。歐洲中古時就有這麼一個傳說：一個美麗的村女見一位風度翩翩的英俊紳士，連續好幾天和他幽會，甚至還跟他約定要一起私奔。不過，在他們約定要私奔的前一天，村女突然對紳士的身份起疑，於是偷偷帶了一把薰衣草在身上。第二天，當紳士出現要帶她遠走高飛之際，村女偷偷拿出薰衣草花束，投擲在她的愛人身上 - 結果發現，原來紳士竟是可怕的魔鬼所而成的! 露出原形的魔鬼又驚又怒，但又害怕薰衣草的神聖力量，只好逃之夭夭。 由此可見薰衣草不一定是催情良方呀！



在葡萄牙，對女人應特別有禮貌，這是一種社會風尚，故不可忽視。薰衣草是葡萄牙的國花。葡萄牙人民十分喜歡薰衣草，這是因爲它不但有觀賞價值，而且有較高的經濟價值，它是製造香皂、衛生皁、花露水、清涼油、洗髮乳液、冷霜的重要原料。

薰衣草花語--等待愛情