Lavender
At the beginning of the last century, Leclerc recognized the property of lavender to "alleviate sensitivity to pain" and fight fever.
It was cultivated by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The name "lavender" comes from the Latin "lavare" meaning to wash or bathe. It is grown mainly for the essential oil and less for the dried flowers and leaves.
The essential oil has insect repellent and antioxidant properties and is used in the perfume industry, rarities, cosmetics and aromatherapy.
Chamomile
Chamomile was dedicated to the sun god, Baldur. Hieronymus Bock in the 16th century and Tabernaemontanus in the following century used it for digestive problems and wound healing.
It has many common names such as chamomile, Saint George's flower., paneritsa, white flower, linaki, martolloudo, etc.
Its medicinal properties have been known since ancient times and were mentioned by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. In Greece it is particularly widespread as it grows naturally in uncultivated areas, on the edges of roads, it is a weed in many winter crops but also in many other parts of the world.
Neroli
Neroli essential oil comes from the flowers of the orange tree. Originally cultivated in Tunisia, Bitter Orange olive groves were cultivated in North African countries and later in France.
The name "Neroli" is widely believed to have originated from a 16th century town named Nerola, in Italy.
The town of Nerola, although Italian, had a French princess (Anne Maria de la Tremoille). She fell in love with the scent of neroli, which smelled like spring and used it to perfume her clothes, baths and gloves.
The same had been used for centuries before the princess discovered it, of course. Popular since the time of Ancient Egypt, it was used by priests and priestesses for its spiritual and physical benefits, in the same way that incense is used in some modern churches.
In China too, it was very popular. The bitter orange blossom was a symbol of purity, innocence and fertility and brides used orange blossoms in their bridal bouquets. Because of this tradition, the expression "to gather orange blossoms" would eventually mean "to look for a spouse."