Uses for lavender

Aril · 25 June 2005 at 11:31AM

Morning all! Following on from Queenie's footbath in lavender leaves yesterday it got me thinking just how much
I use the plant in my home so here goes a few ideas-
Essential Oil :rotfl:
I use it on a burner to freshen my home or mixed with water which I spritz. I also use it in the bath for relaxing and put a few drops on a hanky when my son is struggling to get to sleep. It's the only oil you can put direct on your skin I believe [probably not a good idea if you're pregnant though] and it's also very good for treating burns
Cooking :rotfl:
Here are a few recipes you may enjoy-
LAVENDER BISCUITS
8oz butter
4oz caster sugar
1 egg lightly beaten
6oz SR flour
1tbsp dried lavender [I buy it from a shop in the town]

Preheat oven 180c. Line baking tray with non stick baking paper. Cream butter & sugar. Add egg & beat well. Add flour and mix in lavender Place small tsp fulls of mixture onto baking tray. Cook 15-20 mins until pale gold. Cool on wire tray.

The following 2 recipes are from Carol Wilson"Country Wines & Cordials"

Lavender Champagne :rotfl:
40 lavender flowes
3.75 pt cold boiled water
11oz sugar
4oz sultanas finely chopped
2stsp white wine vinegar
juice 1 lemon
In large glass or china container stir all dry ingredients. Pour on water, vinegar, & lemon juice. Stir, cover & leave 7 days. Strain liquid into sterilised bottles and seal with pop off plastic caps. Leave another week.

Lavender Liquer :rotfl:
50 lavender flowers
4oz rose petals
1tsp coriander seeds
1tsp aniseed
pinch ground cinnamon
1 standard bottle brandy
Remove white bases from rose petals [they're bitter] and pack all ingredients into sterilised jan. Cover with brandy & seal tightly. Store in cool dark place for 6 months shaking jar occasionally. When ready strain liquid into sterilised bottles & seal tightly. Store in cool dark place.

Hope you enjoy- I can vouch for the biccies. Everyone who has them seems to enjoy them and they're a bit different.
Regards
Aril

Bossyboots · 25 June 2005 at 11:51AM

Thanks for these. I have a huge lavender bush in my garden and never find enough uses for it. Off to find the footbath thread now as well.

Edit: I can't find the thread mentioned. Can someone please point me in the right direction.

squeaky · 25 June 2005 at 12:47PM

It's the first post in OS Friday

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=67076

leonie_2 · 25 June 2005 at 8:00PM

You could always make some lavender vinegar :-)

I pop the flowers in a pan and add distilled malt vinegar and let it simmer for a few mins, then cool and use as you would normally. I think it helps get rid of the horrid white vinegar smell when im cleaning.

Or if im making a hair rinse, I simply do the same as above but this time adding organic cider vinegar, add a glug of it to the final rinse water for shiney hair! :-)

KTFrugal · 27 June 2005 at 8:22PM

Great idea, Leonie, how much of each do you use?

leonie_2 · 28 June 2005 at 8:31AM

Hi KT

Well I have no set amount really, I just pop the lavender flowers in my pan (largest size) and then cover with the vinegar.

I love using the cider vinegar with lavender as a final rinse and since I stopped using chemical shampoo's i've noticed a real difference in the health of my hair.

I dont stop at lavender though, I also use rosemary or my seasonal favourite, nettles! I chop them up and add them to my vinegar rinse and my hair really shines!

Chris25 · 28 June 2005 at 8:37AM

Aril wrote:

Morning all! Following on from Queenie's footbath in lavender leaves yesterday it got me thinking just how much
. It's the only oil you can put direct on your skin I believe [probably not a good idea if you're pregnant though] and it's also very good for treating burns
Aril

....you can use tea-tree and camomile aswell. I was told by an aromatherapist - "remember TLC - Tea-tree, Lavender & Camomile"

you can also crush a few stalks to put into sweet scone mix.

lucylou · 28 June 2005 at 12:52PM

I know this isn't about lavander use but I have a little lavander plant outside could anyone give me any tips about when it should flower?It extended its leaves and looks a bit dead.Plus how often does it need watering?thanks

Pal · 28 June 2005 at 12:58PM

I "found" a lavender bush in my garden. They apparently flower from July onwards depending on the type, although mine is showing no signs at all of producing flowers.

Anyone know if you can use the leaves for anything? They smell a bit like tarragon to me.

squeaky · 28 June 2005 at 12:59PM

There's a handy little page on care of lavender by a grower Here.

Chris25 · 28 June 2005 at 1:01PM

They're quite drought-resistant and don't like to be waterlogged, and it depends whether it's in a pot or the ground. But it has been very hot lately so give it a good drink if it's dry and try a week feed. If you don't get any flowers this year (it may be too small a plant), persevere and see what happens next year.

My French one (big showy blooms - sometimes called butterfly lavender) has been in bloom for a while but my English one is just coming out now.

Another idea, they don't like too heavy a soil and prefer a sunny spot.

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Uses for lavender

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