Essential oil is produced from the aerial parts of the plant during the flowering period. Thanks to its delicate scent, it finds wide application in perfumery. The scent is light, subtle, cool, soft, floral-herbal, and fresh. All aerial parts of lavender are used: leaves, stems, and especially flowers, since the inflorescences contain significantly more essential oil than other parts of the plant. Lavender flowers, fresh or dried, have a pungent, spicy-bitter taste. They are used in practical medicine 7-10 days after flowering.
Lavender syrup is beneficial as a soothing remedy for anxiety, neuroses, neurasthenia, nervous palpitations, tachycardia, migraines, severe colds, hoarseness of voice, and for relieving pain and spasms in gastrointestinal diseases. Lavender has a tonic effect and is also used as a diuretic and antiseptic for bladder inflammation.
To prepare the syrup, 200 g (7 oz) of fresh lavender tops are poured over with 0.5 l (17 fl oz) of boiling water, wrapped up and infused for 24 hours, strained, and the residue is squeezed out. Then another 200 g (7 oz) of fresh lavender tops are poured over with 0.5 l (17 fl oz) of the previous boiling infusion, wrapped up and infused for 24 hours, strained, and the residue is squeezed out. Next, 0.5 kg (1.1 lb) of granulated sugar or honey is added. It is stirred until completely dissolved and simmered over low heat until a thick syrup forms, stirring the contents.
Lavender syrup should be stored in a dark, cool place. It is recommended to take the syrup 1 teaspoon with water, 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
Internal intake of lavender is prescribed for melancholy, irritability, insomnia, influenza, and various infectious diseases, as well as head pain. For treating the stomach, especially relieving spasms or discomfort, there is a special lavender tea. To prepare it, a glass of hot water is added to a teaspoon of lavender flowers. It is infused for five minutes, then passed through a strainer or cheesecloth; the resulting preparation should be drunk two or three cups daily.
To get rid of a cough, mix a teaspoon of honey with two drops of lavender oil. The mixture also reduces bronchial inflammation.
To take therapeutic baths with lavender, soak 50 g (1.8 oz) of the plant in 5 l (1.3 gal) of water and infuse for 1 hour, or pour 1 l (34 fl oz) of boiling water over 50 g (1.8 oz) of lavender flowers, bring to a boil, and place in a water bath for 10 minutes. After straining, the resulting solution is added to a bath at a temperature of 36-38 °C (97-100 °F). Taking such baths is calming for insomnia or nervous tension and is recommended for frequently ill or frail children. Baths are recommended to be taken for 20 minutes in the evening before bed. The course of treatment consists of 10 to 15 baths. They can be taken alternately with calamus, rosemary, seaweed, or pine.
To relieve inflammation from insect bites, a mixture of alcohol and lavender oil in a one-to-one ratio is prepared and applied to the affected areas.
In Italy, Spain, and the south of France, lavender is used to season salads, sauces, mushroom, vegetable, and fish soups, vegetable main dishes, and roasted or stewed mutton - dishes are sprinkled with lavender powder just like pepper. In France, a sprig of lavender is included in herbal bouquets placed on the table. In the US, lavender is used to flavor Chinese green tea, homemade beverages, and vegetable salads. Lavender flowers are added for fragrance to pastries, jams, honey, sugar, and salt. Along with rose and jasmine petals, they are added to certain "floral" tea varieties.
Lavender is used in making various beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. It is also used when smoking fish - dried lavender inflorescences and juniper berries are added to smoldering sawdust, imparting an aroma to the smoke with which the fish is smoked. Vinegar also turns out aromatic if infused with lavender flowers.
In old cookbooks, when fermenting apples, it is recommended to layer the apples with lavender leaves. As a spice, lavender combines well with thyme, mint, lemon balm, and sage.
It can also be used to make lavender sugar, jelly, and ice cream. It can be crystallized for decorative cake topping or brewed into a refreshing tea from its flowers.