By Nicole Caccavo Kear 
Photographs by Pizzi + Thompson

In just eight years, Judy Phipps has blossomed into a veritable lavender aficionado. She organized a lavender festival held each year in Salem, Oregon, and launched an entire line of organic lavender products. Here are some of the ways Judy recommends using lavender.

Dried Lavender
Pillows  Mix the lavender with other delicious botanicals (dried rose petals work well) and stuff inside a silky fabric for a restful night’s sleep. 
sachets Keep your linens fresh by stashing a pouch filled with lavender in your drawers. Add a few drops of essential oil when the scent fades.
Baking Spices up cakes, jellies, vinegars and more. Add one teaspoon to one tablespoon to your favorite shortbread or sugar cookie recipe.
Baths Hold a muslin bag packed with lavender under running water. Result: a bath fit for a queen.

Lavender Essential Oil
Burns
Lavender is antiseptic, anti-bacterial and is one of the rare oils that can be applied directly to the skin without dilution. For minor burns, place a drop or two right onto the ouch.
 
Headaches
Rub a few drops into your temples or massage into your tense neck and shoulders. Or, place 5–6 drops of oil into a bowl of water and wet a washcloth to use as a compress.

Painful joints
Get relief from arthritis or sore muscles by rubbing the oil onto the sore spot.

Insect bites
One drop placed on non-poisonous insect stings or bites can minimize your discomfort. The oil is also an insect repellent.

Mood Booster
Place 5–6 drops on a handkerchief as an on-the-go pick-me-up.

Sleep aid
Mix 10–15 drops of oil with 1/2 cup water in a small spray bottle. Spray onto bedding before sleep to ensure sweet dreams.

• Visit Judy Phipps’ beautifully renovated farmhouse and see the kitchen where she cooks up her lavender recipes. All this and more in the current issue. •