Using Lavender from my garden?

I'm looking for ways to preserve and use lavender that do not involve buying essential oils.  Almost every recipe that I have found for lavender (bath salts, massage oil, room spray, etc.) calls for adding lavender essential oil in addition to the lavender leaves or buds.  My whole point in doing this is to use the herb from my garden - not someone elses.

Anyone here have any recipes?

Currently I am planning on packing a jar with lavender and then pouring it full with witch hazel to use as a toner and joint rub.

I don't personally use soap but if I found an easy recipe I wouldn't mind learning to make it to sell.

I've never actually done it, but I've often wondered about infusing lavender in oil, then straining it and using the oil to make soap. 

Blender with 70% isopropyl alcohol - add herb - blend - store on shelf...

Use as a spray for room scent...

To remove alcohol, heat to 180 degrees.

Burra Maluca wrote:
I've never actually done it, but I've often wondered about infusing lavender in oil, then straining it and using the oil to make soap. 

Unfortunately no significant scent comes through soap in my experience. Though one woman on my soaping forum insists it does for her, every other soaped I've asked agrees with me.

When I had lavender I made simple syrups simmered with lavender for gifts. Doesnt last that long, but its great in tea and even on ice cream. Oh and lavender ice cream is good.  Some make lavender wands which sell for quite a lot, but I just couldn't get the hang of them. And I saw some wonderful lavender bud and petal wedding potpourri that gets tossed instead of rice!

LOTS to do with lavender.

Oh, and I can help with learning to make soap if people are interested. I've been soaping for at least 6 years now.

Hi Jeanine,

I have an excellent book by Alan Hayes called 'More of it's SO NATURAL', worth getting if you can. Here are 2 recipes from his book for lavender.

Lavender Bath Water

Put 2 generous handfuls of dried lavender buds in a ceramic bowl. Mix together 500ml each of distilled water and cider vinegar in a non-metallic saucepan and bring to just below boiling point. Pour the liquid over the herbs, seal the bowl with plastic wrap and allow to steep for 12 hours. Strain mixture through fine muslin, squeezing and seeping all liquid from the herbs. Bottle for future use. Add 1 cup of lavender water to your bath while the water is running. Relieves sore muscles and prevents skin dryness.

Fragrant Bath Salts

560g bicarbonate of soda
15g dried lavender
7ml rosemary oil
7ml eucalyptus oil

Thoroughly mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight jar. Add a couple of handfuls to you bath.

Be careful with things like lavender water as it will support the growth of mild and bacteria very quickly, tho it may not be evident to the naked eye.  So use immediately, refrigerate for up to a week or (gasp!) use a preservative.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.  I am currently steeping lavender in Witch Hazel.  So far it is not as fragrant as the daily tea that I make as a body splash after showering.

I do want to try the blender and alcohol thing. 

The vinegar solution?  What type of vinegar do you suggest for that - I was wondering if I would end up smelling like potato salad?  I know that when I rinse clothes in vinegar the smell turns very fresh when the cloths dry - maybe this would be the same?