Lavender for the Body

The word lavender comes from the Latin word "lavare", meaning "to wash." Since its popularity in classical Rome as a bathing adjunct (accessory), lavender has been closely associated with cleansing the body, linens, home, etc.

The association became widespread in the Middle Ages when the term "lavendiers" was given to workers in the wool industry who washed the raw wool or rinsed the woolen cloth after fulling (felting a woven cloth) — an interesting, and not surprising, connection to lavender's potent insect repelling properties and usefulness in protecting wool from moths. 

Lavender's subsequently well-understood natural antiseptic, antibacterial and solvent properties emphasize its widespread use in personal care applications as a natural and effective alternative to synthetic and/or potentially toxic chemicals and pharmaceutical agents.