Prized for thousands of years for its alleged healing powers, lavender lives on as a popular herb both for its notable scent and for its practicality. Dried lavender buds can be used in a variety of ways, from crafting to baking. If you’re wondering how to use dried lavender buds, here are some ideas to help get you started.
Around the House
Lavender is well known for its soothing, mood-boosting fragrance — take advantage of the calming aroma by incorporating it into household chores!
- Vacuuming & Sweeping - Sprinkle a handful of lavender buds on the floor before vacuuming or sweeping. Your house will instantly smell fresher (and it’ll make your garbage smell better too!).
- Dryer Bags - Toss out the old chemical-laced dryer sheets and opt for easy-to-make lavender dryer bags for some fresh-smelling clothes. Simply fill organza bags with lavender buds, tie tightly, toss in the dryer, and enjoy your naturally scented laundry. Or, fill large heat-sealable tea bags with lavender, sealing the bag with a hot iron. Lavender buds will hold their scent for a long time, so you can use your dryer bag up to 10 times!
Health & Wellness
More than just a popular candle scent, lavender has been used for thousands of years as a healing herb. Ancient Romans used the herb as an antiseptic and insect repellent, while Queen Victoria drank lavender tea to soothe her headaches. While lavender should not be used as a substitute for modern medicine, we can certainly take a few hints from the history books.
- DIY Lavender-Infused Oil - An amazing oil to keep handy around the house, lavender oil can be used to ease bug bites, dandruff, dry skin, or just as an all-around calming body oil!
- Lavender Sleep Sachet - It’s time to break out the organza bags again! For a restful night’s sleep, fill up a bag with dried lavender buds (you can also add dried chamomile for a sleep-inducing aroma). Tuck the bag in your pillowcase or under your pillow and enjoy your slumber!
- Lavender Bug Repellent - Take your homemade lavender oil and put it to work as a natural (and better smelling) bug repellent! Not only can lavender be used to treat bug bites, but it naturally repels bugs like mosquitoes, fleas, and moths. You can make your homemade bug sprays even more effective by adding citronella, lemon, and geranium oil.
In the Kitchen
As a close relative to rosemary and thyme, lavender makes a great addition to several dishes and beverages. When cooking, it’s important to keep in mind that a little lavender goes a long way — add too much and your food might taste like soap. Lavender pairs well with flavors like lemon, chocolate, and honey.
- Lavender Lemonade - For something sweet and simple, you really can’t go wrong with adding a pinch of lavender to this summertime classic.
- Lavender & Lemon Cookies - For one of lavender’s sweeter uses in cooking, these wonderfully flavored shortbread cookies will become a fast favorite in any home.
- Rosemary & Lavender Lamb - Add some floral tones to a savory dinner with this delicious recipe (if you need fresh rosemary, we’ve got you covered!).
Get Creative!
There are hundreds of possibilities when it comes to crafting and cooking with lavender. Don’t let this list limit you — be creative! As you can see, lavender has many unexpected uses, and sometimes the best recipes are the ones you whip up on a whim. Check out our different types of lavender which can be bought in bulk for all your DIY experiments and get started!