| Lavender, a flowering member of the mint family, is | | | | flowers are removed from the stalks stored in |
| found in many places around the world. Long used | | | | airtight containers to preserve the flavor and aroma. |
| because of its medicinal attributes, lavender quickly | | | | The oils can also be extracted for use in many |
| spread from its native Mediterranean habitats to | | | | applications. |
| many different countries. Lavender has many uses, | | | | Though often associated with potpourri, lavender has |
| including culinary and medicinal. | | | | a plethora of uses. |
| Typically used in its dried form, lavender can be | | | | - Sachets containing lavender can be stored with |
| added to dishes for a robust flavor, or used in | | | | clothes to repel moths, while dried stalks with the |
| homeopathic remedies. It is indicated for treating | | | | flowers left on are popular for use in dried flower |
| such conditions as insect bites, headaches, and | | | | arrangements. |
| insomnia. | | | | - Lavender is an edible flower and as such can be |
| There are many different varieties of lavender, due | | | | used as a garnish or even as an ingredient in meals. |
| the ease with which it cross pollinates. Lavender | | | | - It has a strong, distinct flavor, so it is used in very |
| plants usually grow in clusters and have a shrub-like | | | | small amounts and contributes a robust flavor with |
| appearance with small green-grey leaves. The flowers | | | | citrus tones to any meal. |
| range in shades of purple and bloom anytime from | | | | - Lavender is a natural antiseptic and |
| midsummer to early fall. A very hardy plant with a | | | | anti-inflammatory, so it is often used as a herbal |
| clean fragrance, it is a popular addition to many | | | | remedy for insect bites and burns. |
| gardens around the world. The plants can be grown | | | | - Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it a |
| from seeds or cuttings, and transplanting whole | | | | useful herbal remedy for headaches and acne. |
| plants is often successful. Lavender grows best in full | | | | - It can also be used to help people with insomnia get |
| sun and can survive in very dry conditions. | | | | to sleep. Methods of use include dried lavender |
| The flower of the lavender plant is harvested and | | | | steeped in hot water to make tea, or the oil added |
| used for both, culinary and medicinal purposes. The | | | | to a diffuser. |
| aroma and flavor comes from the oils that collect in | | | | - A natural insect repellent, antiseptic, and |
| the flowers. Drier growing conditions will result in | | | | anti-inflammatory, lavender has many uses as a |
| higher concentration of oils. Much of the oil dissipates | | | | herbal remedy. |
| when the flower opens, so lavender is typically | | | | - The clean scent along with its antiseptic properties |
| harvested while the flowers are still closed. Mid-day is | | | | makes it popular as a cleanser. In fact, the name |
| the best time for harvesting as this is when the oil | | | | lavender is derived from the Latin for "things to |
| concentrations in the flowers are the highest. The | | | | wash," lavanda. Indeed, lavender has been used as a |
| cuttings are then set to dry in the shade. The dried | | | | herbal remedy for thousands of years. |