Lavender: 50 Self-Care Recipes and Projects for Natural Wellness
by Bonnie Louise Gillis
Sasquatch Books, 2021 (208 pages)
So much more than a recipe book, I found this book to be quite refreshing in that it actually goes into depth on different species of lavender and what each one is especially known for. Within 45 species there are actually over 450 varieties and cultivars of lavender. Lavender is part of the mint family, and I especially gravitate to both mint and lavender and now I know why --- they are kin! Lavender is a special love of mine. Lavandin is the one with the specific popular scent of "lavender" known to us in today's world. It is winter-hardy and has a sweet scent. My favorite for growing in my area is the Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead'.
The book also gives simple instructions on growing lavender and making healthy plants, how to prune and how to grow in containers if you wish. There's also a section on companion planting (my tip, lavender and roses love each other). There is details on harvesting your lavender and making bundles, the best varieties for drying (two mentioned were the Lavandula angustifolia as a 'Sachet' and the highly fragrant Lavandin 'Grosso'. For culinary purposes, the L. angustifolia is preferred as it has a mild sweet fragrance and taste. But the author goes into detail on which you would want to use and for what.
The recipes are easy and interesting. I want to try the Lavender Sea Salt and the Poppy Seed & Lavender Vinaigrette first. There are recipes for massage oil, foot soaks, bath powders, fizzy bath salts, simple syrups, Baked Pear & Lavender Pancakes, Chai Spice & Lavender Zucchini Bread and more.
Many times, these specialized herb books have tired and over-done recipes and information, but not this one. If you are a lavender lover like me, you'll want to peek inside and see what new thing you can learn about your herb of choice.
Author Gillis (formerly Bonnie Louise Kuchler) has authored twenty-eight books. Thanks to several national publishers over the past twenty years, sales of her books exceed 400,000 copies. Bonnie and her husband make their home near the glaciered mountains, ancient forests, and untamed beaches of Olympic National Park—minutes from the renowned lavender farms of Sequim, Washington. Bonnie was born in Hawaii, into a family of career photographers.
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