Luscious, Lavish, Lovely, Lavendula

Nums Yums launched their Spring seasonal cupcakes back in April. One of the flavors was Lemon Lavender. Which has been a great hit! So where did I get the inspiration for this cupcake flavor? 

The healing components of lavender have definitely helped me both physically and mentally over the last few years. Lavender has always been something near and dear to me because I’ve had anxiety and breathing problems throughout my life. Since incorporating lavender in my daily routine I have felt more at peace, improved my inhales and exhales, and controlled my breathing. 

Lavender has always been a lavish and luxurious plant in my opinion. Aside from its healing components, its a gorgeous plant and the the smell is divine too. Over the last few years, the use of lavender, especially as an essential oil, has increased tremendously across the world. Some people enjoy lavender for the scent, while others enjoy it for the endless proven benefits (since it is one of the best medicinal plants).

Here's a little brief history of lavender. 

There are many different types of lavender. The most common types are the English (L. angustifolia), French (L. dentata), and Spanish (L. stoechas) lavender. They come from the mint family and are a shrub like perennials. Interestingly enough, the origin is said to be from the Mediterranean or Middle East. It has been cultivated in France and Spain since around 600 B.C. Around the 1600’s, it was brought to America and was established for commercial level use. There is so much more history behind the plant, but I'm here to tell you how it has helped me therapeutically, and tell you some ways to incorporate it through your day. 

Lavender is the monarch of medicinal plants. Here’s how you can use it:

The number one universal use of lavender is in aromatherapy, with scientifically proven benefits. You can drop a few drops of essential oil in a diffuser, which is the most common method of lavender use. This aids in healthy breathing, reduces stress, relaxes your muscles, and promotes better sleep. You can drop some on your pillowcase as well. It has helped me out a lot! I have horrible asthma, and when I sleep with lavender in my diffuser (usually mixed with peppermint and eucalyptus) I sleep like a baby. It is not suggested to use the essential oil in direct contact to the skin. It should be in a different form, like in my recommendations below, and diluted with a carrier oil or substance. The only time I use it directly on my skin is when I rub a few drops on my finger tips and apply them to my temples to ease headaches (don’t use it anywhere near your eyes).

You can also incorporate lavender in your skincare, especially body care. You can rub lotion, body butter, or oil on irritable areas of your skin or all over your body. This can reduce body aches and calm down any irritation, itching, or allergies. You can also create your own scrub to use in the shower with some dried lavender and oil. Lavender can also promote healthy hair and scalp. You can mix a few drops of the essential oil into your normal hair oil. 

You can also grow fresh lavender in your garden or inside your home (I’m a horrible plant mom so don't ask me for tips on this). I usually get mine from a farmer’s market, local nursery, Home Depot, or Lowe’s. They are so beautiful; you can bet I'll have lavender bouquets as centerpieces at my wedding (yes, I think ahead a lot). You can also squeeze the plant to let out the calming oils, or steam it and inhale the vapor. I have also heard people use lavender in conjunction with recreational use of cannabis and other herbs, if that’s your thing, try it out! You can also buy or make lavender candles and soap, or drop some in your bath. Lavender also is a mosquito repellent, you bet I need that in my house because I have a phobia of all things insects. But anyways, you get the point, the possibilities are endless!

Some Brand Recommendations: 

Essential Oils: NaturoBliss, Artizen, Laguna Moon

Oil: Measurable Difference Aromantic

Body Lotion: Aveeno

Body Oil: Shea Moisture, Bath and Body Works

Body Butter: Lee Essentials (a small black owned business too!)

Facial Spray: Mario Badesco 

Above are my personal brand recommendations. These products may not work as well for you as they do for me.

Oh did I mention, Lavender also tastes as delicious as it smells. The floral flavor and strong aroma may not be for everyone's liking, but if you do, you’ll LOVE it. Although i’m not completely sure if eating it in a cupcake will be helpful in healing, you guys can be my guinea pigs and let me know if you feel amazing after eating one! ;) So how do I incorporate lavender in the cupcakes? I use Kate Naturals Organic premium grade dried lavender. I soak the lavender in the milk for the batter and also use some as topping. I also use some flavoring (lavender extract) by Angel Bake. 

While the Lemon lavender cupcakes are a Spring/Summer seasonal flavor, there was such great response that they will be here to stay on the Nums Yums deluxe cupcake menu. Stay tuned for our fall and winter seasonal cupcakes launching in October.

I also make lavender vanilla syrup to add to my daily drinks, usually my iced lattes or matcha. Try making your own lavender iced lattes. Here’s the recipe below.

Lavender Vanilla Syrup 

Ingredients:

• ½ cup Vanilla Bean Sugar or regular sugar

• ½ Vanilla bean split and 1 Tsp Vanilla extract (or just 2 tsp extract)

• ⅔  cup water 

• 3-4 tsp dried lavender

Recipe:

• Heat a saucepan to medium/high heat, stir all ingredients together until sugar dissolves, and let simmer for 2 minutes. 

• Turn heat off, let the syrup cool, and strain it into a bottle or anything you like. 

• That's it! Enjoy by adding a tsp or more to your liking in your daily drinks and teas. 

Lavender has demonstrated that it can better my overall well being in many ways. I hope you can take the time to incorporate some of these methods of lavender use in your daily routine and see the great benefits that I do.

Please share with me in the comments how you all incorporate the use of lavender.  I’m also always searching for more sustainable brands to use, so let me know what you recommend. Also any tips on keeping my poor lavender plants alive would be great, I kill them every time. :(  

I hope you have a luscious, lavish, and lovely rest of your week, thanks for reading!

Nums