Chippy Tails - Newsletter June

Newsletter Page 2 of 2 June 2007

Mother Natures Garden

Lavender

lavender, sweet-briar, 0rris, here
shall beauty make her pomander,
her sweet-balls for to lay in clothes
that wrap her as the leaves the rose.
Katherine Tynan The Choice

I don't believe there are many people who are unfamiliar with lavender, its scent, or its delicate flower spikes. We are most familiar, perhaps, with its use in soap, its aromatic scent as a relaxant, or its use in potpourri, but did you know, when made into a tea, it may also relieve a headache and nervousness, that it can be used as a moth deterrent, or used in furniture polish? Read on McDuff.

Lavender Tisane

As with all tisanes (teas), they should be made in a glass or china pot dedicated to this special use. Ordinary teas leave a residue in the pot (tannin) masking the flavor of the herb and detracting from the sense of well-being derived from drinking the tea. When taking a tisane for a medicinal purpose, rather than socially, it is recommended that the tea be taken two to three times per day, after meals. Drinking tisanes before meals may upset the digestion and is not recommended. As a mild medicinal aid, it may take four to eight weeks to have an effect. As with any treatment, if symptoms continue or worsen, seek the help of a physician.

To make lavender tea use 2 level teaspoons of dried herbs or 2 level tablespoons of fresh herbs for each cup. Place the herb in a warmed pot, measure and pour in the required amount of boiling water and cover. Leave the infusion to steep for 10 to 15 minutes - no longer - before straining. (Note: increasing the infusion time will cause a loss of volatile oils through evaporation).

Other Uses for Lavender
Aches & pains	Use flowers or essential oil to make external massage oil.
Burns	Use essential oil diluted in compress or add to St. John's wort infused oil.
Earache	Dilute essential oil with almond oil or olive oil and massage outer ear to reduce the risk of infection..
Headaches & migraine	Dilute the combined essential oils of lavender, peppermint, and rosemary as a massage for the temples.
Insect bites & stings	Essential oil diluted and applied to sting.
Acne	Herbal face wash (see below)
Common cold	Steam heat (see below)
Bathing	Add a few drops of lavender oil to water for a relaxing bath
Hair rinse	Use an infusion of flowers for greasy hair
Skin toner	Combine lavender water with witch hazel. (see below)
Candles	Add oil or crushed flowers to melted wax for fragrant candles
Household cleaners	Flowers are added to beeswax and turpentine in furniture creams (see below)
Insect repellent	Hang leaves in closets to deter moths or combine with southernwood and other moth deterrents in muslin bags.
Pillow stuffers	Use for scenting linen and lingerie drawers
Room fragrances	Burn prunings on an open fire, use flowers in stationery box to scent stationery or use to make potpourri, stems can be used in sachets to scent draws.

Herbal Face Wash

Infuse a handful of lavender flowers in 1 pint of boiling water for 10 minutes, cool, strain, and keep in a stoppered bottle in the refrigerator. Splash on the affected areas, or dab on with cotton.

Common Cold

Put 8 to 10 drops of lavender, thyme, and eucalyptus oils (any one or a mixture of 2 or 3) into a bowl and pour in 2 cups of boiling water. Cover your head with a towel and inhale.

Bath Sachets

Tie the flowers in a piece of cheesecloth and suspend the sachet below the hot-water faucet when running your bath or pack the leaves into a perforated tea infuser and swish under the hot water..

Toning Lotion

5 tbsp lavender water
5 tbsp witch hazel
5 tbsp lemon juice (strained)
2-3 drops oil of lavender

Pour all ingredients into a bottle, seal with a cap or cork, and shake vigorously. Shake well before each use.

Furniture Cream Polish

2 oz beeswax
1 cup pure turpentine
2 oz pure soap flakes (Ivory)
3/4 cup lavender infusion

Put the beeswax and turpentine into the top of a double boiler and stir until well blended. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.

Put the soap flakes and lavender infusion into a small pan and heat gently. Beat the mixture until it is frothy, then remove from the heat and cool slightly.

Stir the lavender mixture into the beeswax to make a thick, creamy consistency. Pour into an airtight tin or covered jar. Cover and label. Makes 2 1/2 cups.

Lavender Cookies

5/8 cups of unsalted butter, in room temperature

1/2 cup (lavender scented) sugar, pulverized in a food processor

1 egg, beaten well in a separate bowl

1 Tbs dried lavender blossoms

1 1/2 cups of self-rising flour

Lavender Sugar

1 tablespoon of lavender blossoms to 1 cup of sugar

Lavender sugar should be kept in a tightly sealed jar in a dry, dark place for at least a couple of weeks prior to use. The longer it is stored, the heavier the scent. Make sure the lavender you buy is free of chemicals. Better yet, grow your own.

Preheat oven to 355F (180C)

Mix the butter and sugar until resembles cream

Add egg and beat well

Add lavender blossoms and flour, mix well

Line the baking sheet with wax paper and oil it as well. Using two tablespoons, drop a rounded ball of dough onto the wax paper then flatten it.

Bake for 15 - 20 mins, until golden brown. Let it cool on cookie sheets and enjoy!

Note: This is a recipe I found on the net. I haven't tried it so I'm not sure how many cookies you get from one batch of dough. It sounds wonderful!

Please feel free to send this newsletter to your friends and relatives. Until next month, have a bright, shiny solstice. We hope you've enjoyed your visit.

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