How To Use Dried Lavender

Are you wondering what to do with dry lavender stems, flowers, and buds? A couple of years ago, I planted about 30 lavender plants which I grew from cuttings. And now, every year I harvest a lot of lavender which I learn how to dry, prune, and store for a variety of use. I keep using dried lavender in a traditional way – as a room fragrance, as an insect repellent, for some homemade medicine, as potpourri mix, and more… Here are details about what I do with my dried lavender:

How to use Dried Lavender Flowers and Buds

Traditionally, lavender here in the Mediterranean is used often. In almost every house you can find lavender in every corner of the room. Here is a list of its traditional use in the area where I live:

• Housekeeping: Small bags of dried lavender are kept in wardrobes, drawers, and cars to enhance the air, creating a soothing smell. The dry lavender buds are packed in the tiny mash begs to allow the fragrance to evaporate.
• Gardening: For keeping insects away we place some of it around the areas where insects are frequent. I soak it in the water and spray the young leaves of my fruit trees and other plants if I notice some insects, like grasshoppers are damaging them. It is considered here as a natural insect repellent.
• Aromatherapy: Dried lavender buds are used in aromatherapy baths as it helps with anxiety, stress, or depression. It helps me with insomnia so I keep a small jar on my bedside table and keep it open all night long. During the day, I keep it in a tightly sealed container to preserve its fragrance for as long as possible.
• House Decorations: Floral bouquets of dried lavender are used as decorations. Pick the stems before little florets open fully to make sure all is held together. Otherwise, the little buds will keep dropping with time.
• Pain relief homemade medicine: In combination with wine vinegar for stomach aches. It is an ancient mix made of lavender and vinegar, which is used to massage the chest and belly – Just soak some lavender buds in wine vinegar and place it near the window for 6 weeks and it is ready to use for massage.

What to do with Dried Lavender Stems

I try to use all of the material around my land. Same with lavender stems. Although they are rarely used and often discarded as not fragrant enough in comparison with buds and flowers, there are some occasions around the house when they can be useful. They offer for free that lovely lavender scent.

• Cut stems short and use them as fire starters for your outdoor fire pit, fireplace, or stove. As stems are full of oil, they are good fire starters. I use them all the time for my fireplace.
• Cut them very short and use them as part of the lavender potpourri. Place them on the bottom of the bowl and cover them with buds and flowers.
• Use them as incense sticks

What to do with Dried Lavender Leaves

• Mix dry lavender leaves along with the buds for potpourri. Place them on the bottom of the bowl and cover them with buds and flowers, same as above.
• Put some lavender leaves in the water and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Leave it to cool down and strain it into a colander. Use this lavender leaves water as an insect repellent – spray it on plant leaves, in the air, or on the linens to keep insects away.

• More articles about lavender, storing lavender, drying sage, sun-drying apricots, and sun-drying figs
• if you are interested in getting some of my dried lavender, get in touch – I may be able to post you a small bag – let me know..