The lavenders only bloom once a year typically from late June to early August. Samir told Bored Panda that for him, the lavender fields are not only one of the most beautiful places in France but also in the whole world. Photographer Samir Belhamra visited the blooming lavender fields in Southern France and took breathtaking photos.

The photographer had recently purchased a drone and wanted to take this opportunity to shoot the fields from the bird's eye view. Needless to say, the aerial photos turned out amazing you can almost smell the purple sea of French lavender. Samir has only been interested in drone photography for a little over two years but has already collaborated with many well-known brands and had his photos featured in numerous art pages.

It's not uncommon for photographers and tourists to damage the natural settings they are trying to capture on film. Belhamra said that he works hard to take nothing away from the places he photographs. He was respectful of the farmer and his lavender field and believes that all photographers should do the same. After all, without the natural world – what would truly be worth photographing?

To edit his photos, Samir uses Lightroom for light retouching and Photoshop to achieve the mood he really wants. Since we've seen many examples of tourists destroying nature just to get a nice picture, Samir wanted to add that he was 100% respectful of the farmer and his lavender field and believes all photographers should care about and respect nature.

Have you ever used lavender oil? It comes from English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), the most common species of lavender grown around the world. Lavender oil is used as a perfume as well as for aromatherapy. It is believed to contain antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it can be used on minor burns and bug bites. In addition, researchers have found that it may help treat insomnia, anxiety, depression, and restlessness.

A review article published in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice assessed the effectiveness of Silexan, a gel capsule containing lavender-oil, on patients with anxiety disorders. Researchers found that Silexan reduced anxiety within 2 weeks of use. In addition, researchers found that the scent of lavender can help calm anxious dental patients. They measured the anxiety level of dental patients waiting for their exam.

Half of the patients were exposed to lavender scent and the other half were not. The patients exposed to lavender reported lower levels of anxiety than the patients who were not exposed to the fragrant scent. While lavender was not found to impact anxiety for future dental appointments, it does offer a way to reduce anxiety in the moment.

Some studies suggest that lavender tea may help settle digestive issues including nausea, vomiting, intestinal gas, upset stomach, and abdominal inflammation. Lavender is also used to help treat headaches, sprains, toothaches, and sores. Some people swear that it helps with hair loss. Research published in 1998 found that lavender can increase hair growth by as much as 44 percent when used for seven months. A more recent study found that applying lavender oil to the backs of mice promoted hair growth within as little as four weeks. Lavender essential oil, as opposed to the plant form, is toxic if ingested by mouth.

A study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology revealed that lavender can be effective at combating anti-fungal-resistant infections. Researchers noted that lavender oil was lethal to a range of strains that can cause certain skin diseases. It appeared to work by destroying the membranes of fungal cells.

The most common species of lavender grown around the world is the English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). It is cultivated for its high-quality lavender oil. Lavender oil is typically used as a perfume or for aromatherapy. It may also be used in massage therapy to induce relaxation through skin contact. View more of Samir Belhamra's work on Instagram (grafixart_photo) You can watch video footage of the fields below: