Lavender is used in herbal medicine, in aromatherapy as essential oil, in cooking, in beauty products… it is one of the most versatile herbs, and it is safe for most people both as an herb and as essential oil (look for Lavandula angustifolia/officinalis/vera essential oil for therapeutic use). Do you grow lavender in your herb garden? Here are a few ways to use lavender flowers and lavender essential oil.
How To Use Lavender at Home
- Add lavender flowers into a bath or a foot bath: lavender helps with muscle aches and pains, and promotes good sleep. Or add a few drops of lavender essential oil into a bath for a relaxing, pain-relieving evening soak.
- Drink lavender infusion (tea) to relieve a headache, to sleep better, or to calm down during stressful times.
- Place lavender flowers in the bedroom for good sleep, and of course for their delicate and refreshing scent – great in the summer heat.
- Fill small bags/pouches with dried lavender flowers, and place them in the cupboards or drawers where your keep your bed linens: lavender flowers keep moths away from your textiles.
- Use lavender flowers in a homemade potpourri. They mix well with many other flowers including roses.
- Rub a little lavender essential oil onto your temples if you have a headache (but make sure none of it goes into your eyes).
- Burn lavender oil in an aromatherapy burner to repel insects, or use it in homemade insect repellent sprays.
- If you have been bitten by a mosquito, add a drop of lavender essential oil on the spot, it relieves itching.
- Use lavender flower water as a skin toner.
- Make your own DIY massage oil with lavender essential oil and some base oil: see recipes and ideas in this article. The essential oil relaxes muscles, relieves aches and pains, and also helps with menstrual cramps.
- If you have been out in the sun all day and have a sunburn, blend a drop or two of lavender essential oil into a teaspoon of base oil, such as sweet almond or olive, and apply on the skin.
- During colds and flu, add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil into a steam inhalation to clear a congested nose and to soothe sinus pain or sore throat.
- Add lavender to a homemade hand cream or a lip balm. It is soothing and healing to the skin, and it is used in many skincare products for sensitive skin – and even for diaper rash.
- Lavender is antifungal: use it in a foot bath against athlete’s foot.
- Add lavender to homemade tea blends with other flowers, such as rose or chamomile.
How do you use lavender at home?