Lavender recipes

By Lucinda Jenkins

Lavender has been the lady of the garden for centuries. She stands tall above most herbs in beauty and versatility. Originally found in the Mediterranean countries, this perennial herb , has long been prized for it’s perfume and medicinal qualities. Once used by the ancient Romans for it’s healing qualities the name itself comes from the Latin "lavare" to wash. A lavender bath is not something new.

Lavender also gives us another product called lavender essential oil which is used in aromatheraphy. This is one of the most useful oils in therapeutic terms, being sedative, antiseptic, painkilling and calming.

We have a collection of lavender recipes we would like share with you.

Relaxing Body Butter

2 TBS shea butter
2 TBS cocoa butter
2 TBS olive oil
5-7 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Melt shea, cocoa, and olive oil together, let them cool. Beat them well, so the consistency goes from stiff to creamy, add the Essential oils. You can also add some Vitamin E . Put into container

Lavender bath salts

Restful Evening Bath salt
1 cup of Dead sea salt
1 teaspoon of calendula oil
7-10 drops of lavender essential oil
5 drops of patchouli essential oil

Mix together essential oil and calendula oil, add salts.. then and add to a warm bath. When I make bath salts for myself I like to mix an oil and essential oil together and then add to the salts. The essential oil seems to mix in better and floats on the water to better give more aromatheraphy or therapeutic measure to the bath.

Making bath salt can be fun! Just let your creative side run wild!

Restore the Beauty Sugar Scrub

2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoon of sweet almond oil
2 teaspoon of calendula oil
1 teaspoon of rosehip seed oil
5-7 drops of palmrosa essential oil
5-7 drops of patchouli eo
5-7 drops of lavender essential oil

DREAM PILLOWS

Combine together in a bowl:
1 cup mugwort
1/2 cup rose petals
1/2 cup german chamomile
1/2 cup of sweet hops
1/3 cup lavender buds
1/3 cup catnip crushed
1/4 cup peppermint
Stuff your pillows tight and sew shut. Rest this by your head at night.

Glenbrook's Lavender Tea

Blend together
2 ozs of fine black loose tea (like a Darjeeling)
1/2 oz of lavender buds
1/2 oz of chamomile flowers
1/2 oz of jasmine flowers
Store in a tin container ( makes a nice gift) Use 1 teaspoon of tea per 6-8 oz of boiling water

LAVENDER JELLY

Bring to boil 3 cups of distilled water
Infuse with 4 tablespoons of lavender buds
Let this infusion steep for 20 minutes then strain
Combine together 2 cups of lavender infusion
1/4cup of fresh lemon juice
4 cups of sugar
Bring this to a full boil,stirring non-stop and 1 packet of liquid pectin (3 ozs)
boil for one minute and remove from heat
fill sterile jars and seal

Herbs de Provence

Combine 2 ounces of of each:
marjoram, savory, thyme,
rosemary, basil, fennel,lavender buds. Use 1 teaspoon per four servings meats or vegetables.

Lavender Linen Water

In a small glass bowl:
blend 100 drops lavender essential oil, and 5 drops 10 drops of spearmint(optional)
with 1 1/2 ounce vodka (highest proof available), stirring well to fully blend.
Add oil mixture to 20 ounces distilled water. Put into a spray bottle and shake well.

Scented Writing Papers

Place lavender buds in a tulle bag or muslin and tuck into your box of stationery or (in your desk drawers.) Let stand closed for 2-3 weeks, before using.

Lavender and Milk Bath Sachet

1/4 cup dried Lavender flowers
4-6 drops essential oil of Lavender
1/4 cup powdered whole milk
1/4 cup oatmeal.
Add the Lavender eo to the milk and mix well.
Place ingredients into a muslin drawstring bag.
Toss the bag into the bath water as it's running.
You can also use the bag to rub your skin as you bathe.

Lavender Ointment

4 tablespoons olive oil
3 to 4 tablespoons beeswax
3 tablespoons cocoa butter
3 teaspoons calendula oil
15 drops lavender oil
Combine the olive oil, beeswax, cocoa butter and calendula oil
and heat thoroughly in the top of a double boiler. Remove from the heat.
Add the a vitamin e capusule (poke a hole in it and squeeze into the oils) lavender oil and beat well.
Pour into little jars and allow the mixture to cool before covering.

Need Lavender Seeds?

Go to
http://www.gardenguides.com/seedcatalog/flowers/lavender.htm

Garden Guides have several different kinds to pick from!