标签 薰衣草 下的文章

薰衣草田，赫特福德郡 ，英格兰，英国 Lavender field, Hertfordshire, England (© George W Johnson/Getty Images)

一片紫色的海洋 A sea of purple

薰衣草田，赫特福德郡 ，英格兰

当你漫步在英格兰赫特福德郡的自然风景中时，会看到美丽的薰衣草田，正如今天的图片所展示的那样。作为薄荷科的一员，薰衣草起源于地中海、印度和中东地区。这种紫色的植物在不同的文明中生长蔓延，埃及人曾用它制作木乃伊，在图坦卡蒙的墓穴中便有薰衣草的遗迹，罗马人也将其视若珍宝，因其具有治疗和清洁的特性。

薰衣草在春季种植，7月达到盛花期。它不仅外观迷人，闻起来也很棒，其香味据说能帮助人们放松。用薰衣草制作的芳香油常被用在保健养生中，例如在芳香疗法中，它被用来缓解压力，除此之外，它还是香水行业中的重要成分。这种植物也会被用在厨房中，给菜肴和饮料增添香味。所以，下次当你感到压力大时，不妨滴几滴薰衣草精油让自己平静下来。

Lavender field, Hertfordshire, England

This lavender landscape stretching over fields in the English county of Hertfordshire is the quintessential summer scene. A member of the mint family, lavender has been popular through various civilizations. It was used by the Egyptians for mummification; traces of lavender were discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamun. It was also treasured by the Romans for its healing and cleansing properties.

Lavender is planted during the spring season, reaching its peak bloom in July. It doesn't just look good, it smells great too, and the scent is said to help people relax. The fragrant oil is a staple in wellness practices, including aromatherapy, where it's used for stress relief, and is a valued ingredient in the perfume industry. This plant is also used in the kitchen, adding a floral touch to dishes and drinks. So, next time you feel stressed let a few drops of lavender essential oil calm you down.

普罗旺斯瓦朗索勒高原上的薰衣草田，法国 Lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau in Provence, France (© Shutterstock)

一望无际的田野 Fragrant fields as far as the eye can see

Lavender fields on the Valensole Plateau in Provence, France

We're sorry. The scratch 'n' sniff option was not ready in time for this photo, so you'll have to imagine the intoxicating fragrance wafting over you…. Today we're in the lavender fields that carpet the Valensole Plateau in Provence, France. A rolling 300 square miles of flowers color the landscape as far as the eye can see. Vincent van Gogh spent time here, and featured lavender in some of his paintings. June is the start of the lavender season, and though it runs till August, peak viewing (and smelling) time varies a little with fluctuations in temperature and rainfall. There are lovely villages that you can meander while visiting the lavender fields, stopping for a pastry or crunchy-soft baguette at an outdoor cafe.

Hot, dry summers and plenty of sun help lavender thrive in the South of France and other countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. While we think the sight of lavender fields is relaxing in itself, the herb is always in demand for its essential oil, which lends a soothing scent to cosmetics, cleaning products, and even food. Some studies suggest that lavender can improve your sleep, reduce pain and inflammation, and improve anxiety and depression. The powerful plant was also used as an antiseptic in days gone by, as it has antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

法国普罗旺斯瓦伦索高原上的薰衣草田

我们很抱歉。抓挠和嗅嗅选项没有及时为这张照片做好准备，所以你必须想象那令人陶醉的香味飘荡在你身上…。今天，我们来到了覆盖法国普罗旺斯瓦伦索高原的薰衣草田。绵延300平方英里的花朵为眼前的风景增添了色彩。文森特·梵高在这里度过了一段时间，在他的一些画作中以薰衣草为特色。6月是薰衣草季节的开始，虽然一直持续到8月，但观赏（和闻）的高峰期会随着温度和降雨量的波动而略有变化。这里有一些可爱的村庄，你可以一边漫步，一边参观薰衣草田，一边在户外咖啡馆吃糕点或松脆柔软的法式面包。

炎热干燥的夏季和充足的阳光有助于薰衣草在法国南部和其他地中海沿岸国家茁壮成长。虽然我们认为看到薰衣草田本身就很轻松，但这种草本植物总是需要它的精油，它能给化妆品、清洁产品甚至食物带来舒缓的香味。一些研究表明，薰衣草可以改善睡眠，减轻疼痛和炎症，改善焦虑和抑郁。这种强大的植物在过去的几天里也被用作防腐剂，因为它具有抗菌和抗病毒的特性。