How to Make Lavender Water

My lavender is going CRAZY this summer.  I have harvested it twice and need to get out there and harvest it again.  Lovely!  There is NOTHING that smells better than fresh lavender, nothing at all, even better than most roses if you ask me!  I have two large bags of it drying in the dining room and the heavenly odor fills the air every time you open the door into the dining-room which is now the herb-craft room. 

Today, I am making Lavender water. Lavender water can be used used to scent linens, drawers, closets or clothing. If you still iron, a  spray before ironing will freshen most fabrics with the soothing aroma of lavender. I add lavender or rosemary essential oil to my washer and dryer when I am laundering.  It is also great added to bed linens.  You can sprinkle it directly onto the linens when they are in the dryer, too.  You can also use Lavender water as an air freshener or furniture spray. Just a spritz on your pillow at night and you will sleep like a baby all night long.  

Using Lavender Flowers- (http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Lavender-Water)

" Gather your supplies. Lavender water made from lavender flowers won't smell as concentrated as lavender water made from essential oil. Essential oil is the distilled, concentrated essence of lavender made from the flowers. When you use the flowers themselves, the resulting water is very light, but still quite aromatic. Here's what you'll need:

1. • Spray bottle
   • Funnel
   • Fine-mesh strainer
     A bunch of lavender stems with the flowering heads at the top (for a total of 2 tablespoons of buds)

1. Strip the lavender buds from their stems. Lavender flowers grow as little buds along straight stems. To make lavender water, you don't need the stems; the buds contain the floral scent. To remove them from the stems, hold a stem over the glass bowl. Gently pinch the stem at its base, and run your fingers from the base to the tip. The buds will fall off into the bowl.
   

   • You can also buy dried lavender buds that have already been removed from their stems. Look in gourmet food stores or herb shops.
   • This is a great way to use lavender plants that may be growing in your yard.

1. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Pour it into a small saucepan and place it over high heat. Heat the water until it comes to a full boil. Don't leave it unattended for too long, or the water will begin to evaporate.

1. Pour the boiling water over the lavender buds. Carefully pour it over the buds so that the buds can begin steeping in the hot water. The heat will draw out the oils from the flower, and the water will become scented with lavender.

1. 
   

   Cover the bowl and let the buds steep. Leave the buds to steep for a few hours or overnight. The process is similar to making tea. Let the buds continue steeping until the water cools.

1. Strain the buds from the water. Set the fine-mesh strainer over a bowl. Pour the water into the strainer to strain out the buds. Discard the buds; they won't have a scent now that their essence is gone.

1. Funnel the water into the spray bottle. Place the funnel over the opening of the spray bottle. Pour the lavender water into the spray bottle. The water is now ready to use on your linens, as air freshener, or as a tool for aromatherapy.

   • If you want the water to have a longer shelf life, you can mix in one ounce of either witch hazel or vodka. Shake the bottle well to distribute it throughout.

   • You may also store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh."

      
   • My own Lavender water is often mixed with Witch Hazel as it makes the most incredible spritzer to cool and clean your face in the summertime.  

     Happy scented summertime!

     Sources and Citations

     1.  http://homemadewellbeing.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/lavender-water/
     2.   http://backtoherroots.com/2014/03/13/diy-lavender-linen-spray/
     3.  http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Lavender-Water