Lavender has a remarkably wide range of uses, from aromatherapy to culinary applications.

Lavender is a perennial aromatic plant of the genus Lavandula in the mint family (Lamiaceae), with a compact growth habit, flower spikes that are mostly purple, and a delicate fragrance throughout the plant. It originated in the Mediterranean coastal region, and today it is grown all over the world; in China, there is also fairly large-scale cultivation in places such as Xinjiang. It is a fragrant crop with both ornamental and economic value.

The best-known use of lavender is the extraction of essential oil. Lavender essential oil has a soft aroma and is commonly used in aromatherapy, bath soaks, massage and similar settings. Many people use this light, elegant scent before bed to relax body and mind and help themselves fall asleep. Dried flower spikes can also be placed in cloth bags to make sachets, which can be put in wardrobes or beside the bed to remove odors and give clothing a natural fresh fragrance.

For culinary uses, lavender flower spikes can be brewed as tea, and can also be added to cookies, cakes, jam and other desserts to enhance flavor; the method of cooking them with fruits such as pineapple to make jam is very popular. In traditional applications, lavender has also been considered to have a calming effect on the emotions and a soothing effect on the mind, and it is often used to relieve tension and anxiety.

Besides its practical value, lavender's ornamental value is equally outstanding. Every year during the flowering season, vast stretches of purple flower fields are quite spectacular, and many places develop agritourism around lavender fields, attracting visitors to come and admire and take photos. When grown at home, lavender prefers an environment with plenty of sunlight, good ventilation and smooth drainage, and it dislikes waterlogging and high temperatures with high humidity; with proper care, it can bloom for many years.

It should be noted that essential oil generally needs to be diluted before use, and pregnant women and people with allergic constitutions should use it with caution; edible products should be chosen at food-grade level and the amount used should be controlled. Making reasonable use of lavender allows this fragrance from the fields to blend better into daily life.