Herbs: a simple guide (Lavender)

Herbs are not just for cooking with. In fact many are used in aroma therapy and cleansing of homes. I am going to break down some herbs and how to use them in your everyday life.

Where shall I begin????

How about defining what an herb is. According to Dictionary.com an herb is defined by

1. a flowering plant whose stem above ground does not become woody
2. such a plant when valued for its medicinal properties, flavor, or scent

Lets start with Lavender. I know most of you are saying, "that's not an herb", but the second definition says that it is. Most use lavender for the pleasing smell it gives. It is a calming affect that we feel when we breath in the smell of lavender. The uses of lavender seem to be endless, or at least to ones imagination.

Lavender uses: cooking, aroma therapy, medicinal.

For cooking it is commonly used in cookies, ice cream, butter, lemon-aide.

For uses in aroma therapy there are essential oils for burning, heated eye pillows, lotion for the skin, and most commonly in candles. 

Medicinal use can be used to help with neurological disorders and lavender honey used on wounds that are not infected. (please consult your doctor before using any herb for medicinal use)

Lavender is one the safe herbs as indicated by the National Institute of Health (NIH), however they recommend that while pregnant or breast feeding to stop use due to lack of knowledge of possible effects. They also recommend a caution for adolescent boys to not use lavender oil due to possible hormone effects. The NIH also feels that in some people, lavender can or may cause skin irritations.

When I use lavender, I use it in my cleansings for homes and people. This means that I take different

herbs, blend them together, burn a charcoal, and place the herb mixture atop of it. (all in a fireproof, heat proof open ceramic or metal burner) The smoke that comes forth smells of mostly the lavender and hints of the other herbs I used. I will set the burner in the room I want to put forth a calming effect for all those that enter. 

Word or warning: do not put too much of the lavender or herb mixture on a burning charcoal, it can cause too much smoke to rise up and could cause one to cough, or even activate a hey-fever response.

For those who love to cook with herbs, here is a recipe that uses lavender

Lavender
Shortbread
Cookies

Recipe By:Maryeileen Corcoran

Prep  20 min Cook 20 min

Ready in 1 hour  40 min


Ingredients
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2/3 cup white sugar
1/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh lavender
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt


Directions
In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the lavender, mint and lemon zest.

Combine the flour, cornstarch and salt; mix into the batter until well blended. Divide dough into two balls, wrap in plastic wrap and flatten to about 1 inch thick.

Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness.

Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Cookie stamps will work well on these too.

Place on cookie sheets.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, just until cookies begin to brown at the edges.

Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

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