Use only Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender)
Only Lavandula angustifolia (English lavender) is considered safe for culinary use due to its low camphor content and sweet floral flavor. Lavandin varieties (Lavandula x intermedia) may be used sparingly, but Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and ornamental types contain high camphor levels and should be avoided.
Always go culinary-grade or food-grade
Decorative lavender, potpourri lavender, and craft lavender may be treated with dyes, preservatives, or fragrances that are not safe for consumption. Culinary-grade or tea-grade designations indicate the lavender has been selected and processed for consumption rather than for sachets or potpourri.
The color test
The buds should have a rich, deep purple or blue-grey hue. Avoid lavender that looks dull, brown, or overly grey — this is a sign of age.
The smell test
The aroma should be immediately apparent when you open the container — sweet and floral, with no musty or stale notes. If you have to bring the buds close to your nose to detect the scent, they have lost too much of their volatile oil content. Edible varieties have sweet, floral notes; avoid any camphor or medicinal-smelling lavender.
Whole buds, not ground
Use whole culinary lavender buds — do not grind them. Grinding releases too many essential oils, leaving you with bitter, soapy tea.
Storage
Dried culinary lavender doesn’t spoil like fresh ingredients, but it does lose its vibrant aroma and flavor over time. Use it within a year or two of purchase, and store it in an airtight container away from direct sunlight and heat.
Lavender tea is a caffeine-free herbal infusion (technically a tisane) made from the dried flower buds of the lavender plant. The flowers come from the Lavandula angustifolia plant — commonly known as English lavender — and are cultivated in places like the Loire Valley of France, Bulgaria, and parts of the United States. It is naturally caffeine-free, with no caffeine content inherent to the plant, and belongs to the same family as mint, rosemary, and sage. The dominant flavor is intensely floral — sweet-floral driven by a compound called linalool, with a subtle herbaceous, faintly minty quality. Well-brewed lavender tea has a hint of honey-like sweetness on the finish, with no bitterness when steeped correctly.
Benefits for Body & Mind
Calm & Anxiety Relief
Some research suggests that compounds in lavender may stimulate activity in specific areas of the brain and influence the transmission of impulses between brain cells, thereby boosting mood and producing a calming effect. A study showed that people given 80 milligrams of lavender essential oil daily had less anxiety, restlessness, and agitation, and lavender essential oil effectively reduced anxiety in 221 patients with anxiety disorders.
Sleep
Lavender tea boosts the production of dopamine and reduces the stress hormone cortisol. One study found that lavender increases the percentage of deep slow-wave sleep, which is considered the restorative sleep phase.
Anti-Inflammatory
Lavender tea boasts anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation and help prevent serious conditions such as heart attacks, by reducing the risk of blood clots caused by inflamed arteries. It can also help alleviate pain by reducing inflammation of the muscles and joints.
Digestion
The scent of lavender blossoms stimulates the production of bile, which helps the body break down and assimilate foods more effectively. The calming effect of lavender may also help stop feelings of nausea, making lavender tea a great way to soothe an upset stomach.
Antioxidants & Immune Support
Lavender is antioxidant-rich, containing polyphenols that support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and help fight oxidative stress.
Respiratory Relief
Lavender tea can help people who suffer from breathing problems by opening up airways. Its anti-inflammatory properties soothe inflamed muscles in the throat and chest, and its antibacterial properties help eliminate bacteria that can cause chest colds and congestion.
!!!!Don’t overdose it!!!!
Common side effects may include headaches, chills, or nausea if consumed in excess. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised to avoid lavender tea. Since lavender promotes central nervous system relaxation, it is advised not to mix it with narcotics or benzodiazepines. Also worth noting: lavender tea is not recommended for young prepubescent boys, as it can increase female hormone production.
Recipes
Pure Lavender Tea (the classic)
Place 1 tablespoon of dry whole culinary lavender buds in a tea infuser or tea ball in a large mug or small teapot. Pour 12 oz of water that is just off the boil (195–205°F / 90–96°C) over the buds. Cover and steep for exactly 5 minutes — no longer, or a bitter taste will develop. Add a squeeze of lemon juice (this turns the tea a beautiful vibrant pink!) and an optional sweetener like honey, maple syrup, or agave.
Pro tips:
- Warming up the teapot first (swirling hot water in it and discarding) is a step tea professionals take so the water temperature doesn’t drop drastically during steeping.
- Use lavender sparingly — too much overwhelms the flavor. Extend steeping time if you want a stronger brew rather than adding more buds.
- Make iced tea without watering it down by freezing some brewed tea in ice cube trays.
Lavender & Chamomile (best for sleep)
Combine one teaspoon each of lavender and chamomile buds into a tea infuser. Bring 8 oz of water to a boil, remove from heat, pour over the buds, and steep for 10 minutes. This combination is ideal before bed. Chamomile and lavender are both naturally caffeine-free, making this a perfect any-time-of-day blend. A drizzle of mild honey — like alfalfa or wildflower — lets the floral notes breathe beautifully.
Lavender & Mint (refreshing, digestive)
Add a quarter cup of fresh lavender petals and 1 cup of fresh mint leaves to a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then remove the mint and lavender using a fine mesh strainer and pour into a cup. Mint is one of the best complements to lavender — the lavender flower is technically in the mint family, so adding spearmint or peppermint accentuates that naturally minty quality already present in lavender. Serve over ice on hot days.
Lavender Earl Grey (sophisticated, with caffeine)
Earl Grey pairs naturally with lavender because it contains bergamot, a citrus rind, which echoes lavender’s floral-citrus notes. Heat water to a rolling boil, infuse for 3–4 minutes, and enjoy with a splash of milk and honey, or use it as a base for a tea latte.
Lavender Milk Tea (creamy & comforting)
Combine milk, honey, and lavender in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Once it starts to steam, turn off the heat and steep for 5 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and pour into mugs. For a latte version, omit the black tea, fill a mug halfway with honey-sweetened lavender milk, and top with a shot of espresso.
Lavender & Berry Iced Tea (summery)
Brew a standard lavender tea with hot water, then cool it and place in the refrigerator. You can leave the lavender buds in to deepen the floral flavor. After about an hour, remove the buds, add sliced berries or fruit (peaches, kiwis, or grapefruit also work beautifully), and serve over ice.
Lavender Vanilla (slow-infused, special)
Slice a vanilla bean and place the pieces in an airtight tin with the dried lavender buds. Let it sit for a week or so — the vanilla will slowly infuse into the lavender flowers. Then use as you would normal lavender buds to brew. This makes a wonderfully complex, dessert-like tea.