In Medieval Europe (roughly 5th to 15th centuries), lavender continued to be a highly valued and versatile herb in both professional apothecary practices and home-based folk medicine. Its role expanded upon ancient uses, often blending practical application with developing medical theories and spiritual beliefs.
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Here are the key roles lavender played in medieval herbal medicine:
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Antiseptic and Wound Healing:
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Monastic Medicine: Monasteries were central to medical knowledge and and practice during the Middle Ages. Monks and nuns cultivated lavender in their physic gardens and used it extensively for its antiseptic properties. They applied lavender preparations (ointments, washes, poultices) to clean wounds, burns, insect bites, and ulcers, recognizing its ability to aid healing and prevent infection.
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Plague Protection: This was a particularly significant belief. During outbreaks of the Black Death, lavender was seen as a protective charm. People would wear sprigs of lavender, carry posies, or even stuff it into their masks (like the "beak" masks of plague doctors) to ward off the disease, believing its strong scent could purify the air and deter fleas (which were indeed carriers of the plague, though this wasn't fully understood at the time). It was also a component of the famous "Four Thieves Vinegar," a concoction used by thieves to protect themselves while robbing plague victims. Lavender was strewn on church floors for similar prophylactic reasons.
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Calming, Sedative, and Nerve Soother:
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Insomnia and Anxiety: Lavender was a primary remedy for ailments related to the nervous system. It was frequently used to combat sleeplessness, anxiety, "griefes and paines of the head and brain" (as noted by herbalists like John Parkinson), and nervous conditions. Patients might be given lavender decoctions to drink, or lavender might be placed in pillows or bedding to promote restful sleep.
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Fainting Spells: It was also employed for "fainting spells" or "heart pains," likely due to its calming and restorative aromatic properties.
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Headache and Migraine Relief:
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Direct application to the forehead with lavender water, or inhaling the scent, was a common practice for alleviating headaches and migraines. Harvesters would sometimes wear a sprig of lavender in their hats to prevent sun-induced headaches.
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Digestive and Internal Ailments:
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Medieval herbalists continued the ancient practice of using lavender for digestive issues like stomach aches, intestinal problems, and colic. It was often consumed as a decoction (boiled and strained liquid) or even mixed into mulled wine.
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It was also used for kidney ailments and as a preventative for apoplexy (stroke).
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Aromatic and Hygienic Practices:
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"Strewing Herb": Lavender was one of the most popular "strewing herbs," scattered across the floors of homes, castles, and churches. This served multiple purposes: masking unpleasant odors (crucial in a time of rudimentary sanitation), repelling fleas, lice, and other pests, and purifying the air.
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Linen and Clothing Freshener/Moth Deterrent: Medieval washerwomen were sometimes even called "lavenders" due to their practice of drying laundry over lavender bushes. Dried lavender flowers were placed in linen cupboards, drawers, and sachets to scent clothing and protect woolens from moths and other fabric-damaging insects. Charles VI of France, for instance, used lavender-stuffed cushions.
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Personal Fragrance: Lavender was incorporated into perfumes and used to scent gloves (like those made by the famous glove makers of Grasse, who later became perfume makers).
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Other Uses:
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Epilepsy: Some medieval physicians, including figures like Ibn Sina (Avicenna), prescribed lavender for conditions like epilepsy.
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Toothaches: It was sometimes used to help relieve toothache pain.
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Dewormer: Its seeds were believed to be useful for treating intestinal worms.
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Context of Medieval Medicine: Medieval medicine often blended empirical observation with the classical humoral theory (balancing the four bodily humors), as well as spiritual and astrological beliefs. Herbalists, often monks, nuns, or village "wise women," were the primary healthcare providers for many common ailments. Lavender, being easily cultivated and possessing a range of noticeable effects, fit well into this system, offering tangible relief and aligning with beliefs about purity and warding off evil.
In essence, lavender was a cornerstone of the medieval apothecary and household, prized for its versatile abilities to cleanse, soothe, heal, and protect against both physical ailments and unseen threats.
