Herbal Blessing: ALL ABOUT LAVENDER

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
I Peter 4:10

Today was the first Herb Seminar at Full Moon Natives & Herbs and it was All About Lavender: history, garden plus uses for culinary, tea, aroma, health and the language of herbs.

Marvette Bagwell and I teamed up to share everything about lavender! Enjoy the following tidbits and for more information see Lavender, Herb of the Month:

Lavender Tidbits

Lavender flowers/leaves can be:

· added to accent tea blends – combines well with lemon
and mint

· brewed as tea

· used to delicately flavor salad dressings, cookies,
lemonade or even homemade ice cream

· used in an herbal bath tea or facial steam

· used in sleeping pillows, eye pillows, and herbal wraps

· used sparingly in herb of Provence blends

· made into lavender wands for unpleasant odors and moths

· used in potpourri, sachets, wreaths

· used for dried arrangements that last quite a long time

· crystallized and used to decorate pastries and desserts

· use as a garnish -- on salads, entrees, or sprinkled in
combination with other blossoms

· used as fire starters or placed on campfire to repel mosquitoes

Lavender oil can be:

· dabbed on to stop itching of insect bites

· added to tepid bath to soothe the sting and itch of sunburn or
dry skin.

· used for a relaxing soak in the tub

· used as a massage and bath oil – muscular pain/rheumatism

· used on cold light bulbs so when lit the oil will warm and
disperse throughout the house

· included in ointments for pain and burn relief.

· mixed with water and sprayed on the sheets for pleasant dreams

Marvette demonstrated several easy and yummy recipes using lavender including Lavender Honey Butter, Lavender Scones, Lavender Dijon Dressing, White Corn & Lavender Soup plus Lavender Rosemary Chicken w/ Red Potatoes. The recipes for these and more are here. We had fun tasting her creations plus my favorite lavender cookie along with Potpourri Tea with lavender too!

LAVENDER-LEMON BUTTER COOKIES: Cream 1c butter and 1c lavender sugar, then add egg plus 1tsp lemon zest and mix well. Add 2½c flour and 1tsp baking soda, then 1tsp lemon juice. Roll into two logs, wrap & refrigerate overnight. Slice, sprinkle with sugar and bake at 350 degrees for 10 mins.
NOTE: To make lavender sugar for recipes, combine 1 c sugar with 1tsp edible lavender for at least 24hrs, then use in recipe with buds, grind in food processor for sprinkling on cookies or strain for use in tea.

Then it was my turn to demonstrate the following other uses for lavender. Additional uses can be found on these Herbal Spa & Herb Crafts posts!

USES FOR LAVENDER

LAVENDER SUGAR SCRUB
Grind 1 cup granulated sugar and 2Tbs dried lavender buds together in a blender until the sugar takes on a purple hue and the lavender buds are no longer visible. Combine 1Tbs of ground mixture with 2Tbs brown sugar, add 1Tbs vegetable or olive oil to moisten the mixture plus a few drops of lavender essential oil. Mix with a spoon, cover with lid and allow to sit at least overnight. The mixture should look “oily” and moistened.

To use: Scoop a small amount on to your hand and rub your hands and fingers gently with the scrub. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. This leaves your hands soft, and is great after gardening!

LAVENDER SALT SCRUB

Combine 2Tbs coarse sea salt, 2Tbs Epsom salt, 2Tbs vegetable oil, and 2Tbs lavender buds.

To use: Take a handful of scrub and gently massage into the skin, allowing to open pores, pull toxins and restore magnesium for 10-15 mins. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Do not use soap or other cleansers, in order to preserve the moisturizing effect. Store any leftover scrub in a cool, dry place.

LAVENDER STICKS
8-10 stems of fresh or dried lavender
6” square of tulle
1 yard of silk ribbon
Wrap the lavender buds centered in the tulle and tie a knot with the ribbon under the wrapped buds. Use the rest of the ribbon to wrap around the bottom of the tulle and stems until the ribbon is used with enough left to tie off in a bow. These make great favors or gift toppers.

LAVENDER POMANDERS
Styrofoam balls or shapes
Craft glue
Lavender buds
Place dried lavender in a pie plate. Cover Styrofoam shape with white craft glue. Roll and press the ball into the lavender until it is completely covered and place on waxed paper and allow to dry overnight.

Once you have this part done, the balls can be placed in a doily or a square of lace or tulle, tied at the top with pretty ribbon and placed in bowls or baskets. You can also use a stick pin to attach a piece of ribbon as a hanger and decorate the shapes with dried flowers or a bow. To make the lavender scent stronger you can add several drop of lavender essential oil on to the shape.