How to Harvest and Use Lavender

Lavender is a wonderfully scented herb that can be used in cooking, cosmetics, crafts, decor, and medicinally. If you grow lavender at home you can harvest and preserve lavender in the summer months for use throughout the year.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Harvesting Lavender
   
   Lavender should be harvested when the flowers are just ready to open. Cut just below the flowers and never cut more than one third of the plant. Cutting the lavender plant back to far can cause the roots to die.

2. Preserving Lavender
   
   To dry lavender for later use, spread it on a flat surface where the air can easily circulate around the herb, or hang upside down from stems. In an area without direct sunlight allow the herb to dry at temperatures between 85 and 95 degrees.

3. Use Lavender to Cook
   
   Lavender can be used in baking or to make jelly. Dried lavender makes very flavorful tea.

4. Use Lavender in Cosmetics and Cleaning Products
   
   Lavender can be added to any homemade cosmetics or clean products to enhance the fragrance. Synthetic lavender fragrance is often used in commercial products. The smell of genuine fresh lavender is far superior. Add to soaps, cleaners, lotions, creams, oils, shampoos and conditioners.

5. Use Lavender in Crafts and Decor
   
   Potpourris and sachets made from dried lavender are beautiful and fragrant in home decor. Well placed herbs can help scent closets, drawers, or bring a relaxing mood to a bedroom.

6. Use Lavender Medicinally
   
   Lavender is used medicinally for relaxation or relieving headaches. A tea made from lavender, or the scent of lavender herbs and essential oils is often used for relaxation. To get the maximum benefits from the scent of lavender, dried herb or essential oil can be added to a warm bath, or used in a diffuser. Lavender can be used to treat headaches by applying a compress soaked in lavender tea or diluted essential oils to the forehead.