There are several ways to use lavender buds other than potpourri.  It has been used for many things over the years from potpourri to cooking to medicinal to repellent.  It is a versatile herb that has a great scent.  Below are just a few ways it can be used.

Simple Calming Bath Tea

Mix equal parts of dried lavender buds, dried rose petals, oats, and chamomile flowers; then put the mixture in either a muslin or cheesecloth bag.  The next time you decide to have a relaxing hot bath, put the bath tea in the tub as it is filling with hot water.  As you relax in the bath, your skin will be soaking in the nutrients from the natural herbs of the bath tea.  The bath tea will provide your body with skin moisturizing benefits and general emotional renewal and stress relief.   The lavender buds will bring calmness to the senses and is useful to relief stress, tension, and headaches.  Chamomile flowers help relax tired, achy muscles while softening the skin (Chamomile is a common allergen to those with ragweed sensitivities). Oats help smooth and comfort itchy, scratchy, and dry skin while giving your skin a silky feel.

Insect Repellent

Would you like a great smelling natural repellent for some pests such as moths and fleas?  Well, lavender buds are the answer.  To help keep moths away from clothes, put sachets filled with lavender buds in your drawers and closets. Sprinkle dried lavender on your carpets and vacuum to keep fleas away.  Not only does the lavender buds help repel the pests, it leaves a great scent fragrance in your house which in turn helps relief stress and tension.

Natural Deodorizer

You can use lavender as a natural deodorizer by sprinkling the lavender buds on carpets, under couch cushions, around pets sleeping areas, etc. and when you vacuum it up, you fragrance your home with lavender or place in an open bowl to enhance any room in the house.  Every once in awhile, as you walk by the bowl of lavender buds, reach in the bowl and give the lavender a squeeze to release the essential oils thus refreshing the scent in the air.  Put a bowl full of lavender buds in the bathroom, and every time you take a bath or shower, the steam will help release the lavender’s fresh fragrance.

Wedding Toss

You can also use dried lavender in your wedding ceremony – you can have the bridesmaids toss dried lavender buds along the aisle in front of the bride. As they step on the aromatic buds, a gentle, calming fragrance greets the bride and makes wedding day jitters disappear!

Dried lavender is also a great alternative for rice as it is fragrant and environmentally friendly. Many churches and wedding venues no longer allow rice because it’s difficult to clean up and it attracts rodents.  It also makes a great wedding favor inside a mini-organza bag – choose a color to match your wedding scheme. Your guests can take them home and place them in their drawers or in their pillowcases.