Using Lavender

Using Lavender

Medicinal/Aromatherapy

Lavender has been used since ancient times for many different remedies. Some include:

· treating wounds

· inducing sleep

· repelling insects

· combating acne

· eliminating headaches

· calming nerves during child labor

· alleviating migraines

· calming upset stomach

· easing menstrual pains

· restlessness

· abdominal complaints

· rheumatism

· easing stress and anxiety and lifting depression

· breaking up congestion

· reducing high blood pressure and palpitations

· easing indigestion, flatulence, and nausea

· alleviating bad breath or tooth ache

Aroma therapists use it for inhalation therapy to treat nervous disorders and exhaustion.

Herbalists treat skin ailments, such as fungal infections, burns, wounds, eczema, and acne with lavender.

The following are recommended doses for lavender:

· Internal use: 1 to 2 teaspoons of whole herb per cup of water. Allow to steep for 3-5 minutes or longer. Soothes tension and helps insomnia.

· External use: Boil dried flowers in 2 to 3 cups of water; inhale vapors for headache, depression, or insomnia.

· Topical application: Pour 3/4 cups boiling water over 3 Tablespoons dried lavender buds. Let cool and strain. Can be sprinkled on your pillow for a good night's sleep, or applied to skin to cool, soothe, and refresh.

· Lavender Bath: Place 2 tablespoons each of lavender buds and freshly ground oatmeal in a muslin bag. Tie tightly with a long piece of string. Attach the bag to the bath tub faucet and allow it to hang below the water level. While bathing, rub the bag on the skin to soothe dry and itchy spots.

Lavender Oil may be used:

· on burns

· on insect bites

· for relief of cuts for speedy healing

· in a vaporizer to battle colds, coughs, and infections

· mixed with Witch Hazel and put in a spray bottle to make a cooling mist for your body or your pillow

· added to unscented massage oil for a relaxing and healing body massage.

· on a folded, wet wash cloth to use as an eye pillow to treat headaches or sinus infections; heat in microwave for 60 seconds for a hot compress

· added to a hot bath for ultimate relaxation

· to ease aching joints and relieve stress

· applied at the temples to relieve a headache

· to aid in the healing process of wounds and scars

· in your evening bath to unwind

· rubbed into the wrists or onto the nape of the neck for a calming effect

· mixed one drop to 5 tablespoons of distilled water for a refreshing cleanser for your face (apply with a cotton ball)

· dabbed onto a blemish to help it disappear

· placed on a cool light bulb (1-2 drops) to restore balance and alleviate agitation

· for motion sickness and jet lag -- massage 3-4 drops onto the ankles

· to calm hyperactive dogs -- massage one drop onto the paws of a frightened dog to calm and soothe

Lavender's effect is calming, uplifting, refreshing, soothing, and purifying.

Arts & Crafts

Lavender may be used in a variety of crafts, either fresh or dried.

· making wreaths

· making wands

· potpourri

· candles

· soap

Home

Simple ways to bring lavender into every room of your home:

· adding a bowl of lavender buds to a table by your front door to greet guests

· adding lavender oil to a diffuser or mixed with oil in an oil lamp to create a nice aroma before entertaining

· throwing dried lavender stems to a dying fire in the fireplace

· burning lavender candles to freshen any room

· hanging door bowers to make a beautiful greeting as we cross the threshold

· using lavender sachets in clothes closets, drawers, and linen closets

· using lavender oil in a lamp oil ring to release lavender fragrance from the heat of the light bulb

· renew potpourri with lavender oil

· adding lavender clippings as a mulch to repel insects in the garden and keep mildew at bay

· adding a drop of lavender oil to a paper towel and placing it in the bottom of the laundry hamper

· adding a drop of oil into the final rinse of delicates to add a light lasting fragrance

· keeping a bowl of fresh or dried flowers in your bedroom

· adding oil to an air purifier or furnace filter to freshen the whole house

· using lavender flowers in place of other carpet fresheners

· placing lavender in your basement to deter insects

· planting lavender plants around your home, patio, and garden to help repel insects

· boiling 3 tablespoons of lavender buds in a quart of water. After steeping and cooling, transfer to a spray bottle to spray pets and their sleeping areas

· sprinkling flower buds under couch cushions and other places adding even more lavender fragrance when you later vacuum them up

· adding 8-10 drops of lavender oil to a warm bath before retiring for the evening

· creating a lavender mineral bath by combining 1/2 cup of Epsom salts with 1/2 cup of Sea Salt Minerals to 25-50 drops of lavender essential oil. Leave overnight and then use by the handful in a warm bath

Weddings

Fill your wedding with the lovely fragrance and charm of lavender. Afterall, lavender is a sign of love and devotion, and lavender enhances romantic and physical desire.

· throwing lavender buds (instead of rice) for wedding tosses

· creating bridesmaids bouquets that will last for years

· providing a fragrance bag as the place setting favors for your wedding guests.

· tying bundles of dried or fresh lavender with bows for the end of each seating row at the ceremony.

· having the flower girl toss dried lavender buds along the aisle -- aroma will be released as the bridal party walks down the aisle thus alleviating wedding day jitters for the bride!

· placing dried or fresh lavender stems in small vases at the reception

· Using a ribbon-trimmed bundle of fresh lavender as the bridal bouquet toss.

Culinary

Lavender is an herb that is often overlooked when filling your spice rack. However, fresh lavender flowers are excellent additions to several dessert . The dried lavender buds are more herbal and more suited for savory and meat dishes. The entire stalk of lavender with leaves and flowers can be used to infuse vinegar, oil, and sugar. Remember to use organically grown products.

· When using dried lavender in a recipe that calls for fresh, the substitution ratio is one third of that amount dried. One pound of dried lavender buds equals roughly 15 cups.

· Lavender is a member of the mint family and is close to rosemary, sage, and thyme.

· English Lavender has the sweetest fragrance of all the lavenders and is the one most commonly used in cooking.

· Lavender has a sweet, floral flavor, with lemon and citrus notes.

· Lavender has a very strong flavor; the secret is that a little goes a long way.

· The lavender flowers add a beautiful color to salads.

· Lavender can also be substituted for rosemary in many bread recipes.

· Create lavender sugar by adding buds to sugar and tightly sealing for a couple of weeks. Then use the sugar in your normal cake and dessert recipes.

· Use the stems for making kabobs before grilling.

· Lavender flowers look beautiful and taste great with chocolate, champagne, and in ice cream!