Lavender is likely one of the first herbs we are introduced to in childhood. Many body care and laundry products add Lavender scents for their calming effect and lovely floral aroma. I remember digging in my mother's drawers to smell her lavender potpourri bags and falling in love with the scent from a young age. When you go to the spa, you can almost guarantee that Lavender is going to be infused into something. It's become the quintessential herb of "calm", and personally, I'm not mad about it.
Lavender is considered a "nervine" tonic herb. Nervines are a class of herbs that help calm and regulate the nervous system. Many published professional studies confirm how just inhaling the aroma of Lavender alone can significantly help calm anxiety and stress (hello aromatherapy!). However, the benefits of taking Lavender internally, have an even deeper effect on balancing, regulating, and calming our nervous system. I love using Lavender in tincture form (concentrated alcohol-based liquid extract) because you can get the best of both worlds: inhaling the aroma of Lavender from the extract and from taking it internally for all of the systemic benefits. You can also infuse dried Lavender blossoms into hot water to make an herbal tea.
I love using Herb Pharm’s Lavender tincture so much, I actually carry it with me wherever I go (adding drops to my water at restaurants or scattering a couple of drops on the tongue when I need some extra calm). The flavor is intensely aromatic, so be aware: taking a drop or two on the tongue is not for everyone! Try the recipe below (or dilute in water) first if you’ve never worked with Lavender tincture before.
This dreamy Blue Moon Lavender Milk is the perfect relaxing evening nightcap. Enjoy the calming aromatic of Lavender combined with warm, frothy, and lightly sweetened milk of your choice.
Butterfly Pea powder is the herb added to this drink to make it that dreamy blue color. If you’ve never worked with this herb before, I highly recommend getting a bag to play with in your kitchen. It’s a natural way to color foods and beverages - and brings so much sensory delight!
Blue Moon Lavender Dream Milk
Ingredients
1 serving (~30 drops) of Herb Pharm Lavender extract
1 cup unsweetened milk of your choice (I love Oat milk or Macadamia nut milk, but any unsweetened milk will work)
¼ teaspoon Butterfly Pea powder (I love the brand Wilderness Poets - use the link here for a discount)
¼ - ½ teaspoon raw honey (or sweetener of your choice)
Optional: sprinkle of dried Lavender blossoms as a garnish
Instructions
Pour nut milk into a small pan and heat gently over medium heat on the stove until warm (be careful not to let the milk reach a simmer or boil).
Remove the pan from the heat and pour the nut milk into a blender.
Add Lavender extract, Butterfly Pea powder, and honey into the blender and blend until well combined and lightly frothy.
Pour into your favorite mug and garnish with a sprinkle of dried Lavender blossoms.
Sip, relax, and enjoy!