Lavender loves the Okanagan Valley weather and has been growing and developing well all summer; it’s now being harvested and sold at shops or markets or it and its products are being processed and packaged for distribution all over the world.

The glorious scent of the lavender stalls at the Penticton market can be detected far and wide.

The bees adore these plants and settle on them in their thousands, it seems. Like humans, they can’t stay away from that beautiful summery perfume and, of course, the lavender nectar.

For a while it was seen as a very old-fashioned fragrance but its sheer loveliness and usefulness has thankfully overcome that stigma.

According to aromatherapy principles and medicinal practice, lavender isn’t just a pretty-smelling face. It’s a very relaxing and calming scent that promotes sleep while a topical application of lavender oil can help heal minor wounds and a lavender tea can calm an upset stomach. Pretty great for such a simple plant.

Happy Thursday.