All is Lavender [antikvár]

Based upon the nomenclature of Carl Lin- naeus, Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an evergreen member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) of subshrubs. It is native to the region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Lavender is easily recognizable from its purple "trusses" of flowers and char- acteristic fragrance. In Hungary, it is only found in its cultivated form, and is one of the most common and favored medicinal herbs. It has been used to restore and improve people's health since ancient times. It is known for its laxative, disinfectant, regenerative, antispasmodic, tension and stress relieving properties. Lavender has a wide range of uses: from the cosmetics and liquor industry, phytotherapy and lately even gastronomy. According to the esoteric school of thought, lavender is a symbol of subtle spiritual energies. People who are fond of the lavender color are characterized with a ten- dency for mystical thinking. In the Christian culture - due to the color of the flower - lavender is associated with repentance and thus is attributed to Mary Magdalene, but also signifies the humil- ity of the Virgin Mary. The great healer of the Medieval age, Saint Hildegard administered lavender as a remedy in wine, water and cooked in honey for her patients. She professed that a pure me- dicinal extract of the bulb purges the mind and creates and alert and animated consciousness. It also has a beneficial effect on the heart, stomach and liver. The use of medicinal herbs, including lavender, is making a comeback recently. The increased interest can be measured by the way Lavender Houses were recently opened in numerous locations in Hungary, including Tihany and Vasarosmiske and the medicinal herb garden and house of the Pannonhalma Abbey opened its doors to the general public. Monika Halmos' skillfully written Lavender Cookbook answers the need of the increased gastronomical interest in lavender. Domonkos Kiss, Order of Saint Benedict Tihany - Benedictine Abbey