Lavender

Lavender is well known for its unique fragrance.  Its name is derived from the Latin word lavare, or, "to wash".  It was used throughout Europe during the 17th century to disguise unsavory household odors and textiles that were only washed twice a year.  The Greeks and Romans used it in their bath water, while years later ladies of refinement carried lavender sprigs tucked in their tussie mussies.  Lavender has also been used medicinally for hundreds of years.


Today lavender can be applied to treat sunburns and minor cuts and scrapes.  Cool compresses soaked in strong lavender tea promote healing for sunburns as well as other minor skin problems.  It is also known to counter insomnia and promote restful sleep.  A lavender-mint tea, for example, calms the senses and helps you relax.  Place a few drops of essential oil on the cooled light bulbs in your lamps.  When you turn on the lamps, the heat from the bulbs will warm the oil and disperse its scent throughout the room.


Lavender is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that grows quite easily on a hill or in a backyard with good soil and drainage.  You can also buy lavender in bulk from dried herb suppliers or by the scoopful at most health food stores.


A great way to keep your rooms and linens smelling fresh is linen water. The French use linen water to iron their sheets, spraying again just before laying a duvet over bed sheets.  Linen water can be made using any essential oil: lavender, sage, linden, rose hydrangea, orange blossom or by combining oils to come up with your own scent.


Lavender is used in the home for its sweet scent.  To preserve your own lavender, gather the plant for drying when the first bud on the flower stalk is starting to open.  Some varieties, such as Hidcote, remain tightly closed for some time, which allows you 7-10 days to do your harvesting.  Other species, like Croxton Wild, are completely open in a day or two, which often causes them to lose their blossoms in the drying process.


Be sure to cut your lavender stems just after the dew is off of them early in the morning.  If you wait unit later in the day, the plant will have lost its essential oil in the process of cooling down.


To dry lavender, bind 25-75 stems with a rubber band and hang in a warm, dry, dark spot for 4-5 weeks.  When completely dry, store in cardboard boxes or cloth bags.




LAVENDER LINEN WATER


1 tsp (100 drops) lavender essential oil
2 oz. denatured alcohol
10 oz distilled water
12 oz bottle with lid


Pour essential oil and alcohol into a bottle, close lid or cap, and shake to mix; add distilled water.  Mixture will become cloudy and eventually separate.  Shake well before each use.




GRASSE BATH SALTS


1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup Epsom salts
1/2 cup fresh lavender, sage, rosemary
1/2 cup sea salt
5 drops lavender essential oil


Blend the above ingredients in a food processor or blender.  (You can substitute the essential oil for another, for example, geranium, orange blossom, or rose.)  Place 1/2 cup of blended salts in a cotton muslin bag and run under warm water when filling your tub.  You can also let your feet soak in the salts once the salts dissolve a bit.  The salts actually drain the aches from your muscles, while the soothing scents fill you with a sense of calm and well being.


HERBAL BATH BAGS


1/2 cup dried rosemary
1 cup dried lavender flowers
1 cup dried lemon balm
1 cup dried mint
1 cup dried rose petals


Blend the above ingredients in a food processor or blender or crush finely with a mortar and pestle.  Fill small cotton muslin bags and tie drawstring tightly.  Let bags steep in a hot bath--the water will be infused with the scent of a fresh garden.


HERBS DE PROVENCE MIXTURE


There are many different varieties of this wonderful dried herb blend.  The following recipe is from a dealer at the St. Antonin farmer's market, held every Sunday morning in the medieval village of St. Antonin de Noble Val, just an hour north of Toulouse, France.  Using Herbs de Provence is a great way to cook with the sweet herb of lavender.


2 T lavender flowers
3 T oregano leaves
3 T savory leaves
3 T thyme leaves
1 tsp basil leaves
1 tsp rosemary leaves
1 tsp sage leaves


Combine and mix well.  Store mixture in a small airtight jar in a cool, dark location.  Makes about 3/4 cup.  Use for salad dressings and as a poultry, beef, or fish rub.