Lavender was one of the first herbs I really got to know. Growing up, my mother would buy lavender sachets for our drawers, or a lavender candle, or lotion. The scent always meant luxury to me. Maybe I unconsciously linked relaxation with luxury? A meditation for another day.

While lavender is known to help relax people, it is being scientifically proven to aid Alzheimer and Dementia patients. In addition to its nervine actions, it has analgesic and antiseptic properties as well, making it a valuable partner in first aid.

My favorite use for it, however, is as a bug repellent. The mosquitoes are terrible in our neck of the woods, so at the beginning of every day, I'll pinch off a handful and rub it all over myself and the baby. I don't have to worry about getting it in his eyes or him putting his hands in his mouth later, like I would worry with those chemical sprays. And honestly, it works better! I did a side-by-side comparison and lavender worked better as mosquito repellent by far.

However, there are even more ways you can invite lavender into your home and put it to work for you:

Homemade Cleaning Products

Make lavender carpet cleaner by combining 1 cup baking soda with 5-6 drops of lavender essential oils.

Make an all purpose cleaner by combining white vinegar, water, fresh sprigs of lavender and orange peel. Let it set for a week, shaking regularly.

Lavender Satchels

You can either sew a satchel yourself, or buy sweet muslin bags and fill them with dried lavender flowers and leaves. You can keep these in your drawers or dryer for their beautiful scent and bug repelling properties, or put them under your pillow to help you fall asleep at night.

Lavender Air Freshener

Mix together 2 cups of water with 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil and keep it in a spray bottle. Use it to freshen stale air, or spray over a bed or couch where a sick loved one has been laying, or to spray the couch where the dogs sleep...even though they're not "allowed" on the couches.

First Aid

Lavender's first aid properties, especially with skin, was first "discovered" (or re-discovered) in the 1920's when a French perfumist burned his hand and absentmindedly plunged it into a bowl of lavender essential oil. He was amazed at how quickly his pain subsided and how quickly he healed.

In addition to burns, lavender works well on bug bits, acne, sun burns, or massaged into your aching joints and muscles (in a carrier oil, of course).

To Help With Insomnia

If you have trouble sleeping at night, you can brew up a cup of lavender tea, add some lavender essential oils to a difusser, or take a few drops of lavender tincture under your tongue. Or...

To Help With Relaxation

Mix lavender essential oil with a carrier oil and add it to your bath, or massage it into your temples/scalp/feet.

Or make your own lavender bath salts by combining 1 cup of Epsom salt, 1/2 cup sea salt (or kosher), 1/4 cup baking soda and 10-20 drops of lavender essential oil.

Lavender in Food

Lavender can be added to bread, cakes or scones, or made into a simple syrup. To make a lavender simple syrup, simply combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 1 Tbsp lavender flowers and stir over heat until combined. Pour this over vanilla ice cream, or serve in lemonade or sweet tea, or added to your favorite cocktail.