Surprising Uses for Lavender
- Soothe Wounds and Pain. 1/14.
- Stop Hair Loss. 2/14.
- Salt Substitute. 3/14.
- Tame Your Tummy. 4/14.
- Soak Up Toxins. 5/14.
- Freshen Your Floors. 6/14.
- Rev Up Your Recall. 7/14.
- Tamp Down Motion Sickness. 8/14.
What can I do with fresh lavender?
The many uses for lavender include traditional floral arrangements, dried lavender wreaths and making lavender oil, which has a host of applications from homekeeping to germ-fighting. Lavender uses don’t stop there. This perennial herb also holds its own in the kitchen—in desserts, grilled entrees and beverages.
What are the most common uses for lavender?
People commonly use lavender for anxiety, stress, insomnia, depression, dementia, pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
What can I do with dried lavender?
10 Fun & Easy Ways to Use Dried Lavender Bud
- Here are 10 very simple ways to use your fragrance lavender buds to bring that beautiful scent into your home.
- Sprinkle on Carpets.
- Lavender Infused Oil.
- Lavender Bath Salts.
- Bug Repellent.
- Gift Wrap Decor.
- Natural Car Air Freshener.
- Dryer Sachet.
What is lavender essential good for?
Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular and versatile essential oils used in aromatherapy. Distilled from the plant Lavandula angustifolia, the oil promotes relaxation and believed to treat anxiety, fungal infections, allergies, depression, insomnia, eczema, nausea, and menstrual cramps.
Can you eat lavender?
Both fresh and dried lavender can be added to both sweet and savory dishes for both flavor and its gorgeous color. Add the fresh herb to salads, lamb, teas and cocktails. It also works very well with citrus, fruits, and desserts like crème brulee.
What part of lavender is edible?
Lavender is a unique herb in that every part of the plant—bud, stem, and leaf—can be used in cooking. While the lavender flowers and leaves can be used fresh, the buds and stems can be used dried. Since the lavender flavor intensifies when the herb is dried, the dried buds should be used sparingly.
What bugs does lavender repel?
Lavender. A soothing favorite for centuries, lavender repels fleas, moths, mosquitoes, and many other insects. While oil extracted from the flowers makes an effective mosquito repellent, just the plant itself can ward off unwelcome insects.
How do you preserve fresh lavender?
Hang bundles upside down to dry in a dark, warm spot. Protect drying lavender from sunlight to retain best color, and place a sheet beneath the bundles to catch any buds or blooms that might fall. You should have dried lavender bunches in about seven to 10 days, depending on humidity.
Is smelling lavender good for you?
Lavender aromatherapy and oil preparations have been shown to help calm nerves and decrease feelings of anxiety and depression. Some research suggests that lavender tea may have a similar effect.
How long does dried lavender last?
Most lavender will keep a very strong fragrance for an entire season when dried, but when you store and care for it correctly you can extend that life upwards of 10 years.
Does dried lavender still smell?
Generally, dried Lavender will keep its delightful fragrance for a season. Lavenders with higher oil content, such as Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’, will stay fragrant longer. Squeeze or crush the flowers to release the scent.
Can I hang lavender in my shower?
You can also create bath bouquets to hang in your shower with lavender, rosemary, mint, and lemongrass stems, according to Apartment Therapy. Simply wrap the plants with natural twine and attach to your shower head—it’s that easy.
Can you drink lavender water?
DIY lavender water has many benefits for skincare and can be used for drinks, too.
Can you drink lavender?
Though solid research on lavender tea is scarce, drinking a cup of this tea can be soothing and may offer some benefits. To make lavender tea, you can steep store-bought tea bags in hot water or brew your own. Pour 1 cup (250 mL) of water over 1/2 teaspoon of loose lavender buds, and let it steep for a few minutes.
Can I apply lavender oil directly to skin?
The short answer is that yes, lavender essential oil can be applied directly to the skin. However, as with all aromatherapy oils, we do not advise using lavender oil without consulting a qualified aromatherapist or getting a solid grounding in knowledge from one of the great Aromatherapy manuals available.
Are lavender flowers poisonous?
Lavender plants are generally non-toxic in nature, however, if sufficient quantities of the vegetation are consumed, it can result in dangerous intestinal blockages.
What can I do with lavender stems?
Cut stems short and use them as fire starters for your outdoor fire pit, fireplace, or stove. As stems are full of oil, they are good fire starters. I use them all the time for my fireplace. Cut them very short and use them as part of the lavender potpourri.
Is lavender toxic to dogs?
First of all, the ASPCA considers lavender to be toxic to dogs (as well as cats and horses). If ingested, the plant can cause nausea, vomiting, and inappetence. These symptoms can be traced to a single dangerous component known as linalool.
Do you have to dry lavender before cooking with it?
Drying lavender is only necessary if you want to keep the lavender flowers around long term. It is a method of preservation, not a requirement for use. In fact, you can cook with lavender as soon as it is picked if you like. The floral flavor is much more mellow at this point, but it is extremely aromatic.
How do you consume lavender?
The most common way lavender is consumed is by brewing a tea from its buds. Brewing lavender buds into a tea helps release the oils and scents.
How to make it
- Boil 8 oz. of water.
- Place 4 tsp. of fresh lavender buds into a tea ball or sachet.
- Place the tea ball and water into a teacup.
- Let steep for 10 minutes.
- Enjoy!