Discover Soothing, Aromatic Lavender for Baking and Wellness | 50 Characters

Discover the Aromatic, Soothing Benefits of Lavender Baking Extract

With its sweet floral aroma and flavor, lavender is a delightful herb that can elevate both savory and sweet recipes. While often used in soaps, sachets, and aromatherapy, culinary lavender also has much to offer. Using lavender baking extracts and dried lavender flowers can create tasty baked goods with both soothing and healing benefits.

What is Lavender?

Lavender is a flowering herb belonging to the mint family, with over 40 known varieties. It is native to the Mediterranean region but now grown worldwide. The most common type used for cooking is true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), prized for its sweet, perfume-like fragrance and subtle, lemony-herbal taste.

In addition to use in perfumes, soaps, and aromatherapy, lavender has many medicinal uses. The oils, extracts, and dried flowers have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Lavender may help relaxation, skin health, pain relief, improved sleep, and wound healing.

Benefits of Cooking and Baking with Lavender

While lavender is not yet mainstream, using lavender flowers or extracts can be a tasty way to infuse baked goods, drinks, and more with soothing properties. Some top benefits of cooking with lavender include:

• Aromatic flavor - Lavender adds a light, floral aroma and subtle herbal-citrus taste
• Soothing properties - Compounds in lavender promote relaxation and ease anxiety
• Antioxidant benefits - Lavender contains antioxidant compounds like polyphenols
• Improved sleep and mood - Lavender has natural sedative qualities
• Anti-inflammatory effects - Lavender has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties

Lavender extract or dried flowers can be used to make soothing teas, lemonades, baked goods, juices, and even cocktails. Lavender pairs well with ingredients like lemon, berries, vanilla, and chocolate.

Using Lavender Extract in Baking

For bakers looking to experiment with new flavors, lavender extract is a beginner-friendly way to start. Pure lavender extract provides concentrated floral flavor without any bitterness. It blends smoothly into batter and dough.

Because lavender extract has powerful aroma and taste, start with small amounts like 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon and adjust as needed. Good recipes to try include:

• Lavender cupcakes or custards
• Lavender sugar cookies
• Lavender infused honey
• Lavender lemon squares
• Lavender crème brûlée
• Lavender macarons
• Lavender infused jam

For best results, pair lavender extract with ingredients like lemon, honey, vanilla, berries, or chocolate to complement its flavor. Citrus juices like lemon can help cut any strong floral notes.

Using Dried Lavender Flowers and Buds in Baking

Dried lavender flowers or buds add visual appeal and mild herbal-floral flavor to baked goods. They pair especially well with lemon, blueberry, or sweet potato recipes. Ways to use dried lavender include:

• Sprinkle on top of muffins, scones, biscuits
• Mix into sugar cookie or shortbread dough
• Blend into lemon loaf or lemon blueberry bread
• Add to honey cake, carrot cake, or banana bread batter
• Knead into pizza dough or bread dough
• Mix into frosting and fillings

Use food grade dried lavender and make sure buds are intact with minimal debris. Start with 1-2 teaspoons dried lavender per recipe, adding more to taste. Remove any tough stems before using.

Lavender Simple Syrup

For a versatile lavender ingredient, simple syrup is easy to make. Bring 1 cup water, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 3-4 tablespoons dried lavender to a boil. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep 15 minutes. Strain and store refrigerated up to 2 weeks. Use in drinks, baked goods, yogurt, etc.

Safety Tips When Cooking with Lavender

When using lavender in cooking and baking, keep these safety tips in mind:

• Use only food grade lavender flowers or extract, not decorative varieties
• Introduce in small amounts to gauge strength
• Monitor for allergic reactions or sensitivities
• Avoid using lavender oil internally without guidance
• Don’t give lavender foods to children under 3 years old

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should exercise caution until more research is available on safe levels.

The Soothing Properties of Lavender

In addition to adding flavor, incorporating lavender provides soothing, relaxing effects. The scent triggers your limbic system which controls emotions and mood. Lavender also interacts with neurotransmitters that reduce excitation in the brain.

Reducing Anxiety and Emotional Stress

Many studies show lavender helps reduce anxiety, emotional stress, and restlessness. Smelling lavender oil or taking oral lavender capsules significantly lowered anxiety in medical patients and college students.

Lavender’s soothing properties can also help those suffering from anxiety disorders or depression. Try diffusing lavender at home, applying oil on skin, or drinking lavender tea to aid relaxation.

Improving Sleep Quality

Research demonstrates inhaling lavender oil or rubbing it on skin can improve quality of sleep. Lavender’s sedative effects may help insomnia and other sleep disorders.

Drinking lavender tea, using a pillow mist, or putting a drop of oil on your pillow can potentially help you fall asleep faster and wake less during the night.

Relieving Headaches

Soothing, pain-relieving properties of lavender may help headaches. One study found patients inhaling lavender oil during a migraine experienced faster relief than placebo. Applying diluted lavender oil to temples, neck, or behind ears can be beneficial.

Reducing Agitation in Dementia

Lavender aromatherapy or massage with lavender oil has been found to reduce agitated behaviors in patients with dementia. Its calming qualities and ability to boost mood may help manage common dementia symptoms.

Using Lavender for Health and Wellness

In addition to its soothing effects, preliminary research shows lavender may offer other potential health benefits.

Improving Skin Health

Applied topically, lavender essential oil promotes skin health. It has antimicrobial properties that fight bacteria and fungi, aiding treatment of acne, eczema, and fungal infections. Lavender oil also helps soothe sunburn, reduce scarring, and speed wound healing.

Lowering Blood Pressure

Early studies indicate lavender aromatherapy can help lower blood pressure, especially in patients with hypertension. Both inhaling lavender oil and applying it to skin has demonstrated antihypertensive effects.

Relieving Pain

Lavender has pain relief properties. Inhaling lavender oil reduced pain severity by over 30% in one study's participants. It may also help ease chronic pain, postsurgical pain, and menstrual cramps when applied to skin or inhaled.

Improving Hair Growth

Some research indicates lavender oil may promote increased hair growth and thickness when applied to the scalp. It may help improve alopecia areata, an autoimmune hair loss condition. More studies are needed.

Supporting Digestion

Lavender tea has uses as a digestive aid and remedy for upset stomach. Compounds in lavender reduce gut spasms, bloating, and gas production, while increasing useful gastric secretions.

Risks and Considerations When Using Lavender

Although lavender is generally very safe, there are some risks and considerations to keep in mind:

• Allergic reactions - Some people develop contact dermatitis or allergic reactions from topical lavender. Discontinue use if irritation occurs.
• Medication interactions - Lavender may increase drowsiness from sedative medications. Consult your doctor about potential interactions.
• Hormone effects - Lavender oil has estrogenic effects in large amounts, so those with hormone-sensitive cancers should avoid oral use without medical guidance.
• Pregnancy safety - There is not enough data on lavender use in pregnancy, so pregnant women should exercise caution.
• Chronic ingestion - Long-term oral use of high doses may have toxic effects, so extended internal use is not recommended.

Using small culinary amounts of lavender or short-term aromatherapy use is generally not risky for most people. But consult your healthcare provider about any concerns.

How to Grow Your Own Lavender

With modest garden space, you can grow your own lavender for year-round enjoyment.

Choosing a Variety

English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is best for cooking and baking. It has the sweetest, most mellow flavor. Other easy-to-grow varieties like Spanish lavender, French lavender, or Munstead lavender also work well.

Planting Conditions

Lavender thrives in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with lots of sun exposure. Plant in the Spring after any danger of frost. Space plants 1-3 feet apart depending on variety size.

Care and Maintenance

Lavender needs minimal watering and pruning. Trim flower stems after blooming to encourage bushy growth. Mulch around the base in colder climates. Lavender is quite hardy when established.

Harvesting

Harvest lavender flowers just after buds open by cutting stems near the base. Smaller amounts can be cut as needed all season. To dry, bunch stems together and hang upside down in a warm, dry area out of sunlight.

Relax and Unwind with Soothing Lavender

With its fragrant aroma and subtle floral taste, lavender is a calming herb that can enhance both your well-being and your recipes. Extracts, dried flowers, simple syrups, and garden-grown lavender provide natural ways to infuse your days with tranquility and flavor.

Experiment with adding lavender to baked goods, beverages, savory dishes, body care products, and more. But be sure to start slowly and monitor your response. Just a small daily dose of lavender’s healing properties can promote relaxation and balance.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.