The History and Uses of Lavender

On Feb. 27^th, Bev Youngs gave a presentation covering the history and uses of lavender for the Lake Superior Elders. Lavender is one of the oldest documented herbs in history.  It was used as a freshener in the castles.  They would sprinkle it on the floors to make things smell fresher. The lavender would be replaced when it got old.  In 1600 Queen Elizabeth drank a lot of lavender tea for relief of migraine headaches.  It was used to dress war wounds.  During the 19^th century it was used to treat cerebral palsy and it was used to treat depression.  Used as a fragrance today.  Cookies were served during this presentation that had a little lavender sprinkled on them.  There are cook book entitled “Cooking with Lavender.”  Mostly sweets but there are five recipes for main entrees that include lamb and duck.

In Boyne City, there is a lavender farm in which they grow 30 types of lavender.  Bev can grow three kinds successful.  The plant requires a Mediterranean style of climate, hot and dry.  It likes to grow in sandy ground with gravel.  The plants will rot if the ground is too moist.  It’s a stocky bushy plant that is best harvested early when the little tips are in flower.  Cut the stocks and hang it upside down in a bunch using a rubber band to secure the bunch.  Prune it in late summer.

Uses of lavender:

Throw on your carpet to freshen the carpet

Weave it after it is dried

Make baskets

Tie a bunch with a ribbon

Use it in tea (make sure to strain it with a fuser)

Make wreaths (use gray moss and wrap it with wire on a wreath wire)

Can freeze it in ice cubes

Use a hankerchief and tie it for a sachet

Make sachets

Can use it as a potpourri

How to keep the color so true is to not leave it in the light and store it in a plastic box.