Why Lemons & Lavender Are the Perfect Mix
Rather than reaching for aspirin the next time a headache strikes, try grabbing a drink of lemonade instead. Not only can it help ease your head pain, but it can also help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. But not just any old lemonade will do the trick—reach for the lavender lemonade.
Also, according to research conducted by naturopathic physician Jeremy Appleton, the scent of lavender works to change our perception of pain. Appleton’s work indicates that when we smell lavender, we are better able to tolerate pain like headaches.
To make lavender lemonade, there are two basic simple approaches that I would choose based on your sweetener and the lead time you have:
- Make and store a lavender syrup to add to your lemon mixture. With a day’s lead time, I would tend to make a lavender syrup to add to the lemon drink. I would make extra lavender syrup and store it in the refrigerator just to have around.
- Infuse part of your lemonade water with lavender and integrate your honey or sugar at the same time.
For either approach, here are some basic ratios to start with. One reason I like the syrup method is that you can keep adding syrup until you reach your perfect flavor. The problem with that method is that you may never have your perfect recipe on record. Regardless, these problems are nothing that a few more batches of lavender lemonade can’t solve.
DIY Lavender Lemonade (With Lavender Essential Oil)
To create your own lavender lemonade, the recipe is an easy one. Mix the following ingredients together:
- 1 cup raw honey (or 3–4 cups sugar)
- 12 cups pure water
- 1 drop lavender essential oil, available at health food stores
- The juice of six lemons
- Lavender sprigs for garnish
Once the ingredients are well combined, cool the lemonade in your refrigerator until it’s perfectly chilled. If you prefer your drink sweeter, add more honey, or take down the sweetness with added water.
If you’re worried about ingesting essential oil, don’t be. Though most essential oils are labeled for external use only, it’s only a precaution because they are very strong, according to Now Foods. Most essential oils are safe for consumption in very small quantities, so don’t use more than a drop. If you want to get something that specifically states food-grade, LorAnn is a good choice.
DIY Lavender Lemonade (With Dried Flowers)
- 1 cup sugar
- 5 cups water, divided
- 1 tbsp dried lavender flowers (English or Provençal lavender is probably best)
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Lavender sprigs for garnish
The process of making this is a little more time-consuming than the oil method above, so head to The Kitchn for the full instructions. If you want to make less, Martha Stewart has a good recipe, though it ups the sugar significantly.
Don’t Like Lemonade?
While you’ll get the best benefits from a fresh glass of lavender lemonade, you can also add a little lemon and lavender to your food, too.
