Lavender Tea: Recipe, Benefits and Side Effects

Lavender tea is an infusion of culinary lavender buds in water that takes 2 hours 5 minutes to prepare and yields about 3 cups (720 mL).

What is lavender tea?

Lavender tea is made by steeping edible lavender flowers in water and straining out the buds. It has a floral aroma and a taste that can range from delicate to strongly herbal, depending on the lavender and the amount used.

Like other herbal detox tea recipes, it can be a pleasant way to drink water. Choose dried lavender sold for culinary use rather than flowers intended for decoration, potpourri or fragrance; those products may not be suitable to eat.

How do you make lavender tea?

This recipe starts with hot water, then uses a refrigerated steep. It makes enough to share or save for later.

Yield: About 3 cups (720 mL)
Prep time: 5 minutes
Steep time: 2 hours in the refrigerator
Total time: 2 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

3 cups (720 mL) water
1 tablespoon culinary dried lavender buds (about 2–3 g, or 1/16 cup)

Method

Place the lavender buds in a heatproof container.
Pour freshly boiled water over the buds.
Divide the infusion among 3 heatproof mugs or shallow containers, cover them and refrigerate promptly.
Steep in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Strain out the buds and serve chilled, or gently reheat a portion before drinking.

For another combination based on your preferences, try the ai detox recipe generator.

Keep the strained lavender tea refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Lavender can taste strong, so use less next time if the tea is too floral for you. Use the dried buds themselves, not lavender essential oil; an essential oil is a concentrated product and is not a substitute for culinary lavender.

What does lavender tea do for detox?

Lavender tea supports hydration, which helps your body carry out its normal functions. It has not been shown to remove toxins or speed up detoxification.

The liver and kidneys do most of the body's detoxification, while the lungs and gut help eliminate waste. Sweat removes only trace amounts. No special tea is needed to make these processes work.

Lavender is often associated with relaxation, but evidence is insufficient to conclude that this particular lavender tea recipe improves sleep or anxiety. Research on other lavender preparations should not automatically be applied to a cup of tea. Read more about the proposed lavender tea benefits.

How much lavender tea should you drink, and when?

There is no established effective or universally safe daily dose of lavender tea. A 1-cup (240 mL) serving is a practical starting portion; it is not a treatment dose, and drinking more is not known to provide extra detox benefits.

You can have it at a time that suits you, including in the evening if you enjoy a warm drink then. The recipe makes several servings, but there is no need to drink the whole batch at once. Plain water can also meet your hydration needs.

What are the side effects of lavender tea?

Some people may be sensitive or allergic to lavender. Stop drinking it if you notice a reaction, such as a rash or an upset stomach, and seek medical advice if symptoms persist or concern you. Seek urgent care for trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take sedating medicines, or want to give lavender tea to a child, check with a healthcare professional first. Safety information for regular use in these groups is limited. For more detail, see lavender tea side effects.

Lavender tea FAQs

Can you serve lavender tea hot?

Yes. After the refrigerated steep, strain and gently reheat the portion you plan to drink. Keep the rest refrigerated rather than repeatedly warming the whole batch.

What should lavender tea taste like?

Expect a floral, herbal flavor. The strength varies by product and the amount of lavender used; a smaller amount of buds will give the water a milder taste.