Lavender

Lavender may be introduced into meals as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. A little goes a long way; only a small amount of lavender is needed to add flavor to a meal. Avoid lavender essential oils, extracts, and other non-culinary forms of lavender for babies, as they have been associated with reports of illness.^{[1][2] [3]}

Lavender first grew in the warm, dry regions around the Mediterranean Sea, where the plant has long been used for culinary, medicinal, and hygienic purposes. In fact, the plant’s name in English comes from the Latin word for “wash,” a nod to its long history as an ingredient in soaps and bathing. In cooking, lavender offers a delicate, floral flavor to desserts, baked goods, or as a seasoning for meats, vegetables, and grains.

• Store dried lavender in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to preserve its fragrance and flavor.

• If using fresh lavender instead of dried, use three times the amount, as dried lavender is more potent than fresh.

No. Lavender presents a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, though, in theory, an individual could choke on any food. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve lavender in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of baby during meals. 

Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

No. Allergies to lavender ingestion are not common. However, allergic skin reactions to direct application of personal care products containing lavender oil have been reported.^[4] If your child is sensitive to plants of the Lamiaceae family such as mint, oregano, basil, thyme, sage, or marjoram, take care when introducing lavender, as these plants are closely related.^[5]

Note that certain dried herb blends that feature lavender may contain common food allergens, so make sure to read labels thoroughly if your child has food allergies.

Yes. Lavender contains a number of plant compounds that may offer anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties.^[6]

Yes, lavender is generally recognized as safe when used in amounts typical in cooking.^[7] Avoid lavender essential oils, extracts, teas, aromatherapy, powders, and other non-culinary forms of lavender for babies, as research on their safety is limited and they have been associated with reports of illness, including hormonal disruption.^{[8] [9] [6] [1] [2] [3]}