From The Gardens

Fragrance & Cosmetics

Lavender Splash

Combine 1 cup lavender flowers with ½ cup vodka in a glass jar.  Shake

every day for 1 week, strain into a bottle.  Use as a refreshing after bath splash.

Lavender Soap

Grate unscented soap, combine with lavender flowers and a few drops lavender essential oil and water.  Form into balls and allow to harden for several weeks.

Lavender Potpourri

Add  1 quart of lavender flowers to 3 Tbs. orris root pre-mixed with 10 drops lavender oil.  Cellulose fiber may be used in place of orris root.  A variety of other dried flowers may be added for color.

Lavender Hair Rinse

Combine 1 cup lavender flowers with distilled vinegar in a 1 quart jar.  Place in a cool dark place for 2 weeks, strain and use as a hair rinse.

Lavender Facial Steam

Clean your face in the normal fashion.  Add 3 Tbs. dried lavender to a bowl, pour in 6 cups boiling water.  Hold your face 12 inches away and make a tent with a towel.  Keep your eyes closed and maintain this position 10 minutes.  Rinse with tepid water and a few minutes later splash on some Lavender Splash.

Sage and Lavender After-Shave lotion

2 C. witch hazel, 2 Tbs. apple cider, 1 oz. Lavender flowers, and 1 oz. Dried sage.  Combine all ingredients in a jar with a lid.  Steep for 1 week, shaking daily.  Strain and bottle.

Medicinal

Lavender Tisane (tea) for Headache

1 tsp. Dried flowers in 2 cups water.  Bring to a boil, remove from the heat and steep 5 minutes.

Lavender  Foot-bath

Put a handful lavender flowers in a cloth bag and add to your foot bath to soothe aching feet.

Lavender Bath

Combine equal amounts of lavender blossoms, comfrey leaves, and Epsom salts.  Add a few drops lavender oil, store in a pretty container.  Use a  handful per bath to restore aching limbs.

Bath Sachet

1 oz. Lavender flowers, 1 oz. Peppermint or rosemary leaves and 2 C. borax.  Combine in pretty container.  Use 2 Tbs. Per bath in a cloth bag.

Household

Room freshener

Add 5 drops lavender oil to a spray bottle containing rubbing alcohol.

Rug de-odorizer

Add 6 drops lavender oil and 6 drops rosemary essential oil to 2 cups baking soda.  Mix well, sprinkle on carpet in the evening and vacuum off in the morning.