Zone: Inner Walkway (The Kitchen Pharmacy)

Season of Interest: Mid to Late Summer 

(June – August)

The Doctor’s Notes (Medicinal Use)

In Dr. Woodward’s era, Lavender was a sophisticated remedy used for both physical and "nervous" ailments:

• The "Antispasmodic": Often prescribed to treat fainting spells, palpitations, and muscle spasms. It was believed to "invigorate the spirits."

• Antiseptic Wash: Lavender water was used as a gentle but effective wash for wounds and skin irritations, helping to prevent putrefaction before the germ theory of disease was fully understood.

• Sleep & Anxiety: Long before modern sedatives, Lavender-filled pillows were used to treat insomnia and calm patients suffering from "melancholy."

The Household Assistant (Homestead Use)

For the Woodward household, Lavender was the ultimate multi-tasker for cleanliness and comfort:

• The "Laundry Herb": Its name comes from the Latin lavare (to wash). Dried sprigs were tucked into linen presses to repel moths and keep clothing smelling fresh in a time before frequent laundering.

• Culinary Infusions: While less common than today, it was occasionally used to flavor vinegars, jellies, and delicate sweets or to scent sugar.

• Fly Repellent: Bunches of Lavender were often hung near doorways and windows to discourage flies and other pests from entering the kitchen.

Botanist’s Corner

• Form: A woody-based perennial or "subshrub" that grows in rounded, silver-green mounds.

• Foliage: Narrow, linear gray-green leaves that are highly aromatic even when the plant is not in bloom.

• Flowers: Tiny, tubular purple flowers tightly packed onto upright spikes. The nectar is a favorite for honeybees, which would have been vital for the Woodward farm's pollination.