| Lavender is everywhere. A simple walk through the | | | | using dried or fresh flowers to add color to your |
| supermarket and you'll find lavender candles, detergent, | | | | salads or dishes. |
| soap, fabric softener, air freshener, and body spray. | | | | Note: If you do plan on cooking with lavender, steer |
| There is no wonder that many companies take | | | | clear of lavender that you purchase from a flower |
| advantage of this thought after scent to improve upon | | | | shop or a gardening center. These plants may have |
| or create new products. Lavender has been around | | | | been treated with pesticides or other growth |
| for thousands of years and there are many reasons | | | | chemicals that are not suitable to eat. |
| why. This fragrant purple flower can be used to cook, | | | | Medicinal: |
| to sooth, or to add a pleasing scent to everything from | | | | Lavender is also used as an apothecary for several |
| clothing to the human body. Don't just assume this | | | | ailments that plague us. Having trouble going to sleep? |
| pretty flower is only useful as a gorgeous centerpiece. | | | | The scent of lavender is attributed to relieving stress |
| Here is a quick rundown of the many uses for | | | | and anxiety by producing a relaxing sensation. Try |
| lavender. | | | | inhaling lavender oil or burning lavender scented |
| History: | | | | candles to help send you on your way to a peaceful |
| Lavender has been around for quite some time. This | | | | night's sleep. Some people even use lavender oil to |
| multi-facetted plant has been used for over 2,500 | | | | help cope with the pain of headaches and migraines. |
| years in a variety of ways by various groups of | | | | This pretty purple flower also has some antiseptic and |
| people. Some of its earlier uses can be traced back to | | | | anti-inflammatory qualities that can help with skin |
| civilizations like the Egyptians. In these cases, lavender | | | | inflictions such as acne and burns. |
| was used to help mummify bodies and as a perfume. | | | | Bringing Lavender into Your Home: |
| The use of lavender as a perfume continued on | | | | There are several ways you can cash in on the |
| through the ages and even today it's used as a | | | | benefits of this ancient plant. Here a just a few to get |
| fragrance in several household products including | | | | your started |
| detergents, candles, and body sprays. Throughout | | | | - Lavender Essential Oils: Essential oils can be ingested, |
| history, lavender has also been used in cooking and | | | | inhaled or applied directly to the skin. Having a stressful |
| medicine. | | | | day? Trying sprinkling a few drops onto your pillow |
| Cooking: | | | | before you go to sleep or putting a few drops in a |
| Cooking with lavender is something that's been done | | | | warm bath. |
| for years, yet not many people seem be very aware | | | | - Soaps: To really get the most out of your shower |
| of its uses in the kitchen. This mint relative can be used | | | | night or day, purchase some quality lavender soaps. |
| in everything from baked goods to soups. Individuals | | | | You can use these soaps all around your house so |
| who choose to cook with lavender often use it as a | | | | put them anywhere you wash your hands. |
| replacement for rosemary or thyme in recipes. | | | | - Foods: Try introducing lavender into your cooking. |
| Another great way to add lavender into your cooking | | | | Make some lavender sugar and try it out next time |
| is to make lavender sugar by simple throwing a few | | | | you're baking for yourself. Gourmet food retailers often |
| flowers or leaves into an air tight container with some | | | | sell lavender products to eat or cook with such as |
| sugar. Leave it there for a few days and the sugar will | | | | lavender honeys, chocolates, and teas. |
| pick up the essence of lavender and you'll be able to | | | | Note: Lavender is an allergen so before applying it to |
| use if in baked goods. Still little weary of cooking with | | | | the skin or ingesting, but sure to test it out on a small |
| lavender but want to introduce it into your kitchen? Try | | | | patch of skin, for example on your inner arm. |