Aromatic Journeys: Lavender Wands

May is the month when the lavender plants start to send their flowery shoots up to greet the warmth of the sun, although at my mothers house they tend to bloom all year round. Today I am going to share a craft that I learned to make at the Ojai Lavender Festival several years back, Lavender Wands!



Lavender is indigenous to the Mediterranean area continuing its range southward through Europe, Africa and India. The plant thrives in warm dry climates like the biome here in California known as the chaparral. Lavender has a been used for over 2500 years, in modern times it is used in gardens; for culinary delights ranging from sweets to spice combinations; in holistic medicine; for cosmetics in fragrance.

"I judge that the flowers of lavender quilted in a cappe and dayly

worn are good for all diseases of the head that come of a cold

cause and that they comfort the braine very well."

Lavender and Turner (Herbal, 1545)

MAKING A SIMPLE WAND

Base materials:
• 20 or more fresh stalks of Lavender, the variety Lavandula angustifolia works best. You need the variety that has the long stalks.
• String or ribbon to adhere the lavender together, about 8 inches.
• Ribbon to make a pretty bow around your finished wand.

Remove the leaves and extra buds from your lavender stalks, so that all you are left with is the stalk with the flowers.

Align the stalks up where the bottom of the flower head meets the stalk. Tie the stalks together, fairly tightly, just below the heads. I suggest using a string or ribbon similar in color to the lavender so it won’t be noticed when you are done. Cut the ends off the string/ribbon so that all that remains is a tight knot.

Hold the flower heads tightly with your wrist and begin folding the stems downward, over the flower heads to create a little cage around the lavender flowers.

Once all the stalks have been folded, secure with a pretty ribbon and trim the bottom of the stems with a good pair of garden cutters.

Wahlah, inhale deeply.

Lavender wands have been used since the Elizabethan era where women made them together and used them to ward off the mal odors at court. Use them in your wardrobe to add a clean fresh scent to your clothing and help prevent moths or near your bed to induce sweet and sound sleep. Refresh the aroma with a few drops of pure lavender oil.

Please return again next month when we take another Aromatic Journey using some of the fresh plant material that is so readily available this time of the year.

~Roxana of Illuminated Perfume