Use Lavender
Lavender is a calming, sweetly aromatic and refreshing herb that grows in many temperate weather gardens. Lavender has a tendency to grow prolifically under the right circumstances, leaving its owner with a harvest bounty and a half. This article has been collated to help inspire you in the ways of making the most of both your fresh lavender harvest and any lavender essential oil kept in the cupboard.
Steps
- Bake with lavender. Provided that lavender has been grown organically and has not been sprayed with pesticides (apart from homemade safe ones, such as garlic spray), it is ideal to use in baking. Why not try some of these suggestions:
- Bake lavender and lemon cookies
- Bake lavender scones
- Make Lavender Shortbread
- Make Lavender Sugar
- Bake Lavender Cake
- Drink lavender. Lavender tea is calming and refreshing and very easy to make by the simple addition of hot water and steeping for five minutes. This can even help to ease a mild headache. Other great drinks include Make Lavender and Lemon Soda and Make Lavender Lemonade.
- Keep the insects at bay. Ward off bugs by crushing lavender onto your arms and legs when seated outside for meals. Be careful when picking, however, as the bees love lavender. Other ways to use lavender to keep the bugs away include:
- Make Lavender Potpourri for Clothing Storage
- Make gifts using lavender. There are many ideas for using lavender in gift form. Some suggestions include:
- Sew a lavender bag
- Use a Lavender Sachet
- Mix up a pot of lavender potpourri
- Make a Lavender Infused Sleep Doll
- Keep clean and beautify with lavender. The soothing scent and refreshing nature of lavender makes it ideal as means by which to keep yourself clean and beautiful. Try some of these ideas:
- Make Lavender Talc
- Make Lavender Breath Freshener
- Make Lavender Wash Balls
- Make Lavender Bath Sachets
- Make Liquid Lavender Soap
- Make a Lavender After Sun Cream
- Make Cleansing Lavender Lime Soap
- Keep house with lavender. Tie a large bunch of it and place in a vase for a beautiful and scented floral arrangement to greet people at the door or to brighten any room. There are some great cleaning opportunities using lavender as well:
- Sterilize Household Surfaces with Lavender
- Make a Lavender and Peppermint Room Spray
- Use lavender in aromatherapy. Lavender is ideal in aromatherapy; it is not harmful when applied direct to skin and it is suitable for most people (always check first, of course!). Check out Use Lavender in Aromatherapy for more ideas and instructions.
- If not anything else, maintain a lavender garden for the beauty. Imagine walking by a yard filled with sweet-smelling, violet flowers!
Tips
- Keep food grade lavender in an airtight storage container to prevent dust, etc. build-up.
- Lavender keeps well dried provided it is kept out of direct sunlight and dusted regularly.
- Essential oil of lavender is a must in a first aid kit, this does not seem to be common knowledge but it can be used to sooth minor burns very effectively.
Warnings
- Essential oils should not be used directly on bare skin. Should be blended with water for use on burns.
Things You'll Need
- Lavender, fresh, or essential oil
- Other items as required in article
