Monday, May 11, 2009

What can I do with fresh Lavender?

I have a big plant of lavender growing and I was wondering what I could make with it? What are some recipies I could use this for? Do I have to dry it out first?

What can I do with fresh Lavender?
Yes, you should dry it. Try putting some in your bathwater for a relaxing and sensual bathtime treat!





Also, you can taking a men's sport sock and fill it with a mixture of dried lavendar and buckwheat groats (available at any health food store). Tie it up with a ribbon, put it in the microwave for a couple minutes and then place around your neck and shoulders for some soothing aroma therapy!
Reply:drying is best. Make TEA. It's realy good for your skin.
Reply:You can put some in a calico bag and put it in your drawers to keep the insects away, as well as puting some in you pillowslip
Reply:you usually dry it first, yes, It can be used in any flower arrangement, or in many arts and crafts. You can add fresh lavendar to a bath for a very nice, relaxing scent. You can also use fresh or dried lavendar and add it to hot water, then smell....If you happen to be building a home, in the olden days they would put lavendar in the walls during the building process. You can still faintly smell lavendar years and years later.
Reply:Though we tend to think of lavender as a scent rather than a flavoring, it is sometimes used in cooking. Here are a couple of recipes for you to try:





LAVENDER TEA BREAD


3/4 cup milk


2 Tbsp. dried lavender flowers, finely chopped, or 3 Tbsp. fresh


2 cups all-purpose flour


1 1/2 tsp. baking powder


1/4 tsp. salt


6 Tbsp. butter, softened


1 cup sugar


2 large eggs





Grease a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Heat milk with lavender almost to a boil, then let steep until cool. Mix flour, baking powder and salt together in bowl. Cream butter, gradually add sugar, then eggs, one at a time, beating until light and fluffy. Add flour mixture alternately with lavender milk, in 3 different batches. Mix until batter is just blended, do not overbeat. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan 5 min., then remove to a wire rack to cool. When completely cool, ice with a powdered sugar glaze made with 3 Tbsp. milk and enough powdered sugar to make a thick but still runny paste if desired. Garnish with sprigs of fresh lavender around cake, or sprinkle additional finely chopped lavender on glaze before it hardens.





LAVENDER LEMONADE, with a Sparkling Lemonade option


Cover 1/4 cup lavender flowers with 1 cup boiling water and let steep 10 minutes. Strain. Combine lavender infusion with 1 12 oz. can frozen lemonade concentrate. Add 1 quart water. Chill and serve over ice, decorated with fresh lavender sprigs. To make Sparkling Lavender Lemonade, fill glass 1/2 full of Lavender Lemonade over ice, then top up with ginger ale or a lemon-lime soda such as Sprite.





And, since any lavender discussion ought to include a potpourri recipe, here is a great one, adapted from one in the book 'Lavender, Sweet Lavender' by Judyth McLeod, Kangaroo Press, 1989. This book is a great resource if you are looking for any type of lavender information.





LAVENDER SUMMER POTPOURRI


(all ingredients are dried):





4 cups lavender flowers


1 cup mixed culinary herbs, such as oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary


1/2 cup southernwood


2 cups pink rosebuds and petals


1 cup spearmint


1/4 cup chopped orris root or other fixative mixed with 1 tsp. essential lavender oil





Combine all ingredients and store in a glass jar or zip lock bags for 2 - 4 weeks to allow it to blend. Display in pretty glass or ceramic bowls, or put into sachets or sacks.





Speaking of essential lavender oil, it is the most widely used and versatile healing oil used in aromatherapy. Not only is it very effective, it is also very safe and easy to use. It is the only essential oil generally recommended as safe to apply 'neat' or undiluted to the skin. It is used as a first aid measure to treat minor burns in much the same way aloe gel might be applied. It promotes healing of minor cuts and scrapes, and helps prevent scarring. It is antiseptic and is used in a wide variety of herbal beauty products, and in many insect repellent mixtures. Research has shown it helpful in promoting restful sleep and as an aid for headaches when a drop is massaged into the temple area or onto the back of the neck. The balancing properties of lavender help correct anxiety, nervousness and other emotional problems. Try a drop or two on your pillow at night, in a warm bath, or on a tissue or handkerchief when traveling.





Few other herbs offer so much in so many different ways. In today's fast passed lives, lavender continues to prove its value as one of the most rewarding and useful herbs.





I hope you have enjoyed this introduction to lavender.
Reply:Dried lavender is also good for keeping mosquito's at bay!!!
Reply:I heard the aztecs used to rub it on balls, to ward off evil scotum spirits! I could be wrong though.
Reply:Dry it and make sachets for your lingerie and linen drawers. You can put dried lavender in your closets too. Make lavender-infused almond or olive oil, and use it for a soothing and moisturizing bath and body oil. Mix it with sugar and olive or almond oil, and use it as an exfoliating body scrub.





I have also had lavender-infused creme brulee and gelato, but I don't know how to make them. Wish I did!
Reply:Stuff it up your nose
Reply:I love lavender myself! Once I was invited by some friends for lunch, and she decorated the table with fresh lavender flower. The fragrance was so pleasant through out the meal. After you always can allow then to dry and place in your bath room, quest bathroom or bedroom. Inside your closet and I am sure you will find millions of great ideas to how to use it. If at any time you will offer some one flowers add some few lavender on the bouquet I am sure the person will appreciate.
Reply:After you dry the lavender you can put it in a little lace pouch. Put it in your closets.. and when it seems like it doesn't smell anymore squeeze it a couple times, the smell will come back. It lasts for a long time.
Reply:Wow, you are lucky; I love lavender. Make sure you dry it out first and then you can use it to scent your closets and other areas where you want to freshen the air. It's also good to put in your bath as its scent is very relaxing.
Reply:You can make lavender water by placing distilled water in a non-aluminum pan, heating it just before boiling and then pouring the water and a handful of lavender buds *either dried or fresh* into a bottle. Cork the bottle and keep it in a place that is out of the sun for a couple of weeks, shaking it occasionally to mix it up. It is awesome to spritz on your linens and all sorts of things like your drawer liners, your stationary, etc. I also use the buds in potpourri and to make sachets.
Reply:Dry it out a use it as air freshener


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