Lavender is known for its lovely scent, but it carries many medicinal properties as well. In recent years, the herb has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity due to growing concern about toxic chemicals in the home. It can also be used medicinally, instead of over-the-counter remedies.
Dried herbs. After drying your lavender, keep it in an airtight container. Now it’s handy to use in teas and sachets. A lavender sachet in each dresser drawer keeps your clothes smelling lovely, or you can place one under your pillow for a restful night’s sleep. Some people even sew lavender sachets into their pillows or a sleep mask.
If you’re worried about the potentially harmful chemicals in dryer sheets, you can make your own by sewing dried lavender into sachets and using those in the dryer.
To freshen your home, simmer dried lavender in a pot with some citrus peels. The scent is pleasant and soothing, and might even be a sneaky way to reduce stress in your home.
As for tea, you can mix lavender and chamomile to create a soothing beverage just before bedtime. Or, you can cool the tea and use it as a scalp rinse to prevent dandruff.
Dried lavender can even be used in cooking, if you enjoy its flavor. It can be infused into syrup or vinegar, sprinkled onto salads, mixed into goat chevre, and much more. Just remember to follow recipes carefully, because overdoing it could result in dishes that remind you of soap.
Lavender-infused oil. Add a few drops of lavender oil to to your tea to treat stress and anxiety, or rub a few drops of oil into your temples to relieve headaches. The oil can also be mixed used topically to treat acne and skin irritations, or mixed into soaps and lotions. A few drops of essential oil, added to a spray bottle of cool water, can soothe a sunburn. After a tough workout, lavender oil makes a terrific addition to your bath water, as it soothes sore muscles and helps you relax. Plus, you will smell amazing afterward! Some say that a few drops of Lavender oil can help with pesky mosquito bites as well.
Decorating. If you enjoy seasonal decorations, dry entire stalks of lavender to be used in vases throughout your home. You can also press the flowers in a frame, use them in a shadowbox, or include them in various other crafting projects. Your imagination is the limit!
Just a word of caution: According to some scientific evidence, long-term use of concentrated lavender in foods or drinks could be linked to hormone imbalance in men. It’s completely safe for external use, though. Also, since lavender is so relaxing, it might not be a good idea to use it in conjunction with prescription medications that make you sleepy. Take it easy until you know how it affects you.
As always, don’t hesitate to stop by our nursery and chat! We can help you get started with growing lavender, or any other medicinal plants.
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