Well, Hello there!!! I am so pleased that you stopped by to visit!
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For the past many years I have had an interest...no, make that a fascination with herbs, spices and seasonings. - How they were used by our ancestors centuries ago for a variety of ailments, and how they are used today to enhance your favorite recipe.With this in mind I am attempting to present a different herb, spice or seasoning for each day of the A-Z Challenge. Please drop by often and perhaps we both will learn something new.
To learn more about these terms check here.
"L" is for Lavender
There were several options when trying to find an "L" herb. Loomi, Lemon grass, lemon thyme to name just a few but decided to change it up a bit and focus on an herb that is known more for its medicinal properties than for its culinary uses. With this in mind we have...
"L" IS FOR LAVENDER
Lavender is an incredibly versatile herb for cooking. In today's upscale restaurants, fresh edible flowers are making a comeback as enhancement to both the flavor and appearance of food. As a member of the same family as many of our most popular herbs, it is not surprising that lavender is edible and that its use in food preparation is also returning. Flowers and leaves can be used fresh an both buds and stems can be used dried. Lavender is a member of the mint family and is close to rosemary, sage and thyme.
English Lavender has the sweetest fragrance of all the lavenders and is the one most commonly used in cooking. Lavender has a sweet, floral flavor, with lemon citrus notes. The potency of the lavender flowers increases with drying. I personally, have not eaten lavender, but have had many other "edible flowers" in restaurants.
Medicinal Uses:
~As an herb, lavender has been in documented use for over 2,500 years... wow, that's a long time!
~Lavender was used in mummification and perfume by the Egyptians,Phoenicians and peoples of Arabia.
~Queen Elizabeth I of England valued lavender as a conserve and a perfume.
~In WWI nurses bathed soldier's wounds with lavender washes.
~To this day, the French continue to send baby lambs to graze in fields of lavender, so their meat will be tender and fragrant. ( really? that is so sad. :-( ).
Internally, lavender is believed to be of benefit for a multitude of problems, some of which are stress, anxiety,exhaustion, irritability, headache, migraines, insomnia, depression, colds, digestion and several other digestion related problems. Also can be used as a mouth wash and breath freshener.
Externally, lavender oil is one of the safest essential oils and an be used full strength on the skin. It works wonderfully and can applied on cuts, scrapes, burns, bee,wasp and insect stings.In addition to these it works well to relieve blisters, bruises and rubbed directly into the temple area to relieve migraine headache.
Miscellaneous uses of lavender include using the dried flowers in sachets in pillows, potpourris and tucked in drawers .A few drops of lavender oil dropped into warm bath water is a refreshing and relaxing treat.
Sources:
-Gardens Ablaze
Externally, lavender oil is one of the safest essential oils and an be used full strength on the skin. It works wonderfully and can applied on cuts, scrapes, burns, bee,wasp and insect stings.In addition to these it works well to relieve blisters, bruises and rubbed directly into the temple area to relieve migraine headache.
Miscellaneous uses of lavender include using the dried flowers in sachets in pillows, potpourris and tucked in drawers .A few drops of lavender oil dropped into warm bath water is a refreshing and relaxing treat.
Sources:
-Gardens Ablaze
-http://whatscookingamerica.net/Lavender.htm
- photos courtesy of Google images
- photos courtesy of Google images
Then it's no wonder lavender is so popular. I like the helping to sleep properties. I don't like to think of the little lambs, though :-(. Great 'L'Post.
ReplyDeleteKathy at Oak Lawn Images
I have put lavender in a sachet and placed it b/w my pillow and pillow case. It is relaxing. Have never tried eating it.
DeleteI love lavender and always use it in my herbes de provence, gives it such a nice flavour. Didn't know it was good for so many other things.
ReplyDeleteJO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
Thanks, Jo,you are such a source of valuable information.
DeleteI once had lavender cookies and lavenderade, like lemonade only with lavender and both were so delicious! I have lavender in my garden and it is so pretty and fragrant...well, when it's not covered in snow it's pretty and fragrant...lol
ReplyDeleteYou are most adventurous! I have never had the opportunity to eat anything made of lavender, but would welcome the chance. Thanks for the comment.
DeleteI used to grow lavender in my garden. It looks and smells lovely, although I never used it for cooking. It does make nice tea though. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have been growing it for years and never used it except for its fragrance.... that will change this year!! Thanks for dropping by.
DeletePatricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice
Thanks for stopping by my blog. We have a similar theme since all of your spices and herbs have wonderful smells. Lavender is another of my favorites. My Mom grew it in her garden and gave me a jar of it every year. I kept the last one she gave me, just so I can get a faint whiff of the odor - it reminds me of her!
ReplyDeleteAhh,Noelle,that is so nice. What a wonderful memory. Thanks for dropping by.
DeletePatricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice
I love lavender--the color, the smell. But I haven't cooked with it or eaten it yet. I've used the essential oils when I used to make my own baby wipes, though. I need to grow my own this year and see how I can use it in my kitchen!
ReplyDelete~Lynn
I am like you re my use of lavender... to date! good for you for making your own wipes.
Delete