Lavender! An Herbal Love Affair

Rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 12 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Lavender

Lavender is my very favorite herb. It's name is derived from the Latin word meaning 'to wash'.  Popular uses are: Body and Bath Products, Potpourri, Sachets, Cooking, Medicinally for insect bites and burns, and in Aromatheraphy for relaxation, depression and as a sleep aid. Besides all of that it just smells so good. Below I have included some of my favorite lavender recipes.

My Love Affair With Lavender 

My love of Lavender goes back seventeen years when I first found my passion for herbs. The early 1990's was a reawakening of the herbal arts and my sister and I had set out on a journey to open an herbal business in Denver, Colorado.

I remember the first time I ran my fingers through a pound of lavender flowers in preparation of mixing an intoxicatingly scented potpourri. The scent lingered throughout the store even after we had sealed our creation in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon and proudly tagged with our handmade label. The pure fresh scent filled my head and left me hooked on the little lavender buds.

Since that day, Lavender was integrated into my life. I strewed it on the carpet, then vacuumed to leave everything smelling fresh (including the vacuum). I used it at my wedding to be showered with instead of rice. I burned candles and incense. I made countless products containing it, magical potions, sleep pillows, bath herbs and even little decorative lavender hearts. And when my daughter was born we both bathed in a lavender scented herbal concoction recommended by my midwife.

Even though today our herbal venture is closed and I have gone on to new things, I still am an avid user of Lavender. I couldn't start my day without bathing in some fragrant lavender soap or tucking in a little sachet filled with the purple flowers into the folds of my favorite lingerie.

Favorite Lavender Recipes 

Lavender Misting Water

Great for misting your face or whole body on a hot day. Spray it on your pillows and sheets for a relaxing sleep.
  • Glass or plastic bottle with spray misting screw on cap. Make sure it is sterile.
  • Fill bottle with Distilled Water. Be sure to leave room for oil and replacement of cap.
  • Add pure organic lavender essential oil. Amount depends on size of bottle and your personal preference.
  • Replace cap and shake.
  • Enjoy!

Buy Lavender as an Essential Oil 

It has lots of uses

Lavender essential oil can be used in soapmaking, candlemaking, potpourris, as a sachet, and in an oil burner.
Now's Organic Lavender Essential Oil 1oz

Now's Organic Lavender Essential Oil 1oz

Price: $14.99

Lavender is derived from the Latin word lavare, which means to wash. It was the favored fragrance of Rome and was added to bathwater for a fresh, clea... more »

An Easy Lavender Sachet Recipe 

Lavender Sachet

Use in dresser drawers, linen closets, tie to clothes hangers or from the rearview mirror of your car.
  • For the sachet, use a 5" x 5" square or circle of lace or bridal netting.
  • Fill center with Lavender buds.
  • Add a few drops of Lavender essential oil.
  • Pull up all sides of lace or netting. Tie tightly and make a bow with a pretty ribbon.
  • For a finishing touch, hot glue a tiny dried rosebud to the knot of bow. Let glue dry.
  • To refresh the sachet after using for awhile. Just gently squeeze to release the fragrance again.

Other References For Scenting Your Home 

Potpourri, Incense, and Other Fragrant Concoctions

Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 07/26/2008)

Scented Room

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

Potpourri and fragrant crafts

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

Natural Scented Potpourri 

No artificial ingredients please!

Lavender and Rose Potpourri
  • 1 cup Lavender flowers
  • 1/2 cup Rosebuds and petals
  • 1/2 cup Cornflowers
  • 1/2 cup Lemon Verbena leaves
  • 1/2 cup Calendula flowers
  • 8 drops of Lavender Essential oil added to 3 Tablespoons of Orris Root Chips
  • Blend together and place in a pretty dish

Buy Lavender In Bulk 

Lavender Garden in a Bag

Lavender Garden in a Bag

Price: $14.95

This all-in-one kit includes everything you need to grow sweetly fragrant lavender at home.

Pharmacopia Organic Lavender Soap

Pharmacopia Organic Lavender Soap

Price: $11.00

With Organic Lavender Flower

A Lavender Journal 

You Got To Go Green! 

More Information on Lovely Lavender 

Magic and Power of Lavender

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/26/2008)

Usually ships in 2 to 5 weeks

Lavender: How to Grow and Use the Fragrant Herb

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/26/2008)

Usually ships in 24 hours

Natural Beauty at Home, : More Than 250 Easy to Use Recipes for Body,Bath, and Hair (Revised Edition)

Amazon Price: $13.60 (as of 07/26/2008)

Usually ships in 24 hours

Lavender, The Magical Herb 

Did you know that Lavender attracts Love? Bees Too!

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (Llewellyn's Sourcebook Series)

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 07/26/2008)

Share Your Affair With Lavender 

Great lens! I voted 5 stars - I invite you to check out mine too, and rate it for me! Live Streaming Video

Posted August 02, 2007

FESA

I use a lavender sachet under my pillow to sleep. Beautiful scent, wonderful lens! Sincerely, Fran (FESA)

Posted August 02, 2007

Enchanted_Ways

Lavender is a favorite of mine. Lovely lens!

Posted July 30, 2007

Graceonline

I grew up with lavender in the house--one of my mother's favorite garden herbs. She had a little ivory sleeve sachet container my grandmother gave her and carried it in her hanky to church on Sundays. To this day, I keep a pillow of lavender on my bedside table to sniff before sleeping. Soothing.

Posted July 29, 2007

KimGiancaterino

I grow lots of lavender. My husband won't let me wear it though, because it reminds him of the nuns at his grade school.

Posted July 29, 2007

 
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gypsiedream

gypsiedream

Welcome! I am a work at home, computer loving, herb junkie.  Please visit my newest adventure at www.gypsiedream.com and my blog at http://www.theworkfromh...

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