Lavender – Scent of Provence for Garden and Kitchen

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a popular medicinal plant with a long tradition. In folk medicine it is used for restlessness and sleep problems, and it is credited with antibacterial properties – and it smells incomparable while doing it. With the right location, it's easy to grow in Germany too.

Active Compounds and Their Traditional Uses

The properties in the following list are traditionally attributed to these compounds. They are not proven healing effects, and the list is not a recommendation for use.

Lavender contains:

• Linalool & linalyl acetate – calming, anxiety-relieving, sleep-promoting
• Camphor – antibacterial, promotes circulation
• Flavonoids – anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
• Tannins – wound-healing, astringent

Traditional uses: sleep problems, nervousness, anxiety, headaches, skin problems, insect bites, minor burns.

⚠️ Notes

• Essential lavender oil should not go undiluted on the skin – always dilute with a carrier oil
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: lavender flower not recommended according to the EMA, as safety has not been established; avoid essential lavender oil
• Children under 2: No essential lavender oil near the face – can cause breathing problems
• Persistent complaints: Ongoing sleep problems, anxiety, or recurring headaches should be checked out by a doctor

Growing & Location

Location: Full sun, very well-drained poor soil – the sandier the better. Waterlogging is fatal.

Winter hardiness: True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is hardy down to about -15°C. Hybrid varieties (lavandin) are more sensitive – check the species when buying.

Pruning: Crucial for longevity. Cut back by a third after flowering – never into old wood. If you don't prune, within a few years you'll have a woody, unattractive plant.

Pot: Possible, but more demanding – very well-drained substrate, never let it sit in waterlogging.

Tip: Lavender attracts bees and butterflies like magic – a perfect addition to a beekeeper's garden.

When & How to Harvest

Best harvest time: June to August, when about half the flowers on a spike are open – that's when the oil content is highest.

How: Cut flower stalks just above the foliage. Harvest in the morning after the dew. Not too late – once all flowers are open, the active compound content is already declining.

Tip: For dried bouquets, harvest earlier (more closed buds still); for tea and oil, harvest at the half-open flower stage.

Use as a Medicinal Herb

Sleep sachet – fill a small linen bag with dried flowers, place under your pillow. A simple home remedy traditionally used as a bedtime ritual.

Tea for nervousness and sleep problems – 1 tsp dried flowers, steep for max. 5 minutes. Don't steep too long – it turns bitter. One cup in the evening before bed.

Lavender oil (macerate) – steep flowers in almond or jojoba oil for 4–6 weeks. For massages for tension and stress.

Headaches – 1–2 drops of essential lavender oil on the temples (not too close to the eyes). Traditionally used for tension headaches.

Insect bites – dab on essential lavender oil only when diluted with a carrier oil.

Use in the Kitchen

Use lavender sparingly – it can quickly taste soapy.

Lavender sugar – mix dried flowers with sugar, let steep for 1–2 weeks. For desserts, baked goods, tea.

Herb blends – classic in Provence together with thyme, rosemary, and sage.

Lavender honey – steep liquid honey with dried flowers for 2–4 weeks, then strain. Wonderful with cheese.

Baked goods & desserts – lavender flowers in shortbread, crème brûlée, or panna cotta. Less is more.

Drying & Preserving

Bundle flower stalks and dry upside down in an airy, shaded spot – not in the sun, or the color fades and the aroma suffers.

After drying, strip flowers from the stems and store airtight in dark jars.

Shelf life: 1–2 years. Lavender retains its aroma very well when dried – better than many other herbs.

Notes from the EMA monograph

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) lists lavender flower as a traditional herbal medicinal product. For its use it states, among other things:

• use in children under 12 has not been established
• not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as safety has not been established
• may impair the ability to drive

The monograph applies to tested preparations – home-gathered herb is not dosed more precisely.

Sources

• European Medicines Agency (EMA): Community herbal monograph on Lavandula angustifolia Miller, flos, as of EMA/HMPC/734125/2010, accessed 5 Oct 2026

The sources support individual statements in this article. The organisations named have neither reviewed nor endorsed it.