Lavender: Properties, Recipes, and Uses
Lavender grows in the dry, stony and sunny lands of Southern Europe: it is one of the most deeply rooted plants in the customs of Mediterranean culture. The name derives from the Latin lavandus: the flower was used to flavor bath water as well as to disinfect and keep insects away from laundry.
Summary:
How to make essential oil: Lavender distillation
Where to buy and how to choose lavender
How to make essential oil: Lavender distillation
Lavender essential oil is extracted from the flowering tops of the plant. Its scent is floral, sweet and balsamic.
The best qualities of Lavender are grown between 800 and 1200 meters above sea level. The intensity of sunlight determines the quantity and type of active ingredients developed by the plants, which characterize the value and scent of the essential oil.
The flowers are harvested by hand at the balsamic moment, which usually occurs between June and July: this is the period in which the plant reaches the highest concentration of active ingredients and allows for the best yield of essential oil.
Once the tops are collected, they are placed inside the still and steam distilled. Each variety has its own yield: Lavandula Angustifolia, for example, has a yield of 2%. This means that from 100 kg of flowers we will obtain about 2 kg of essential oil.
Many parameters can affect the quality of essential oil, here are some:
- Cultivation technique
- Altitude
- Type of soil and sun exposure
- Variety and Chemotype of the plant
- Atmospheric activity during the harvest period
- Harvesting method
- Distillation temperature
Subtle aromatherapy
Lavender belongs to the Labiatae family, the same as Rosemary: there is a close relationship between these two plants, albeit with opposite polarities. Rosemary has predominantly solar and masculine, energizing and invigorating qualities, while Lavender is linked to the Moon, to the feminine. Sweet and soothing, it induces calm and serenity.Labiatae are useful plants for strengthening the sense of identity and finding one's center. Lavender essential oil soothes excessive emotionality, calms and brings serenity.
Its action is rebalancing: it enlivens and energizes in situations of melancholy and apathy, brings relaxation in cases of stress and nervousness. It is perfect for softening overly impetuous characters and smoothing out conflicts.
Properties and benefits
Thanks to its countless properties and versatility of use, Lavender is one of the most widely used essential oils in aromatherapy. The essential oil brings harmony and tranquility. It has a high degree of skin tolerability, making it suitable for use by adults and children. Let's look at the main uses together.
For sleep
Lavender essential oil is known for its relaxing action: it promotes sleep and facilitates rest. It is one of the best essential oils for sleep. This special flower brings peace to mind and heart, rebalances the nervous system and harmonizes emotional states. Thanks to its calming action, it provides serene and restorative sleep. It creates a relaxed atmosphere: it predisposes to meditation, yoga, reading. It combats the effects of stress such as headache, palpitations and digestive spasms.
Skin
Lavender essential oil is famous for its regenerating action on the skin. It soothes redness and dermatitis thanks to its anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties.
This essential oil is completely free of irritating substances: for this reason it is ideal for the treatment of lesions, abrasions, burns, irritations and bites. To soothe redness and burns, it is recommended to mix it with aloe vera gel: you will obtain an effective natural after-sun.
Lavender essential oil is purifying and suitable for all skin types, to which it gives tone and elasticity. Its antifungal power is exceptional for fighting acne and pimples: for this purpose it can be used in synergy with Tea Tree essential oil in creams or face masks.
Pure on the skin
It should be noted that Lavender - precisely because of its high skin tolerability - is one of the very few essential oils that can be used pure on the skin. In case of scratches, minor burns or insect bites, a drop of Lavender can be a useful relief, an S.O.S. to always keep in your bag or suitcase.
In general, it is not recommended to use pure essential oils in contact with the skin as they are very active raw materials, which can be too aggressive if not adequately diluted. In addition to greater safety, dilution will also ensure greater effectiveness: several scientific studies prove that essential oils, if diluted, penetrate deeper into the dermis.
For this reason, when you choose to use Lavender essential oil for its cosmetic properties, we recommend diluting it to 5% in a basic vegetable oil, aloe gel or cream.
How to calculate 5% dilution? Keep in mind that 20 drops are 1 ml. If you decide to add it to 100 ml of shea butter, for example, 5% will be 100 drops (5 ml). If instead you decide to mix the oil each time, pour 2 or 3 drops into a dab of cream.
Acne
Acne generates widespread inflammation in tissues. For this reason, it must be treated with delicate products that soothe and decongest the face.
From this point of view, Lavender is the perfect ingredient for masks, compresses and day creams. Mixing Tea Tree and Lavender will create an even greater effect: the two essential oils, with their antiseptic and purifying properties, enhance each other.
Cold
One of the best-known uses of Lavender essential oil is against colds. Balsamic, expectorant and mucolytic, this essential oil supports the respiratory system and mucous membranes.
How to use Lavender essential oil for a cold? Certainly in steam inhalations (also called fumigations): boil a pot of water and pour 2 or 3 drops of essential oil. At this point, position your face over the pot and breathe the evaporating water vapor. If you want to amplify the effect, place a towel over your head, as if creating a tent to stay inside. This is the classic "grandmother's remedy" that always works.
Muscle pain
Lavender essential oil is ideal for combating muscle pain. Thanks to its muscle-relaxing properties, it loosens stiff muscles after sports activities.
If you have muscle pain after sport, dilute a few drops of Lavender in a vegetable oil (such as almond oil or jojoba) and massage it until absorbed. This way you will warm the affected area and promote the penetration of active ingredients into the tissues. The lower abdomen - especially when combined with a deep breathing practice - helps relax muscles and relieve cramps.
Thanks to its anti-rheumatic power, Lavender is also used for local anointings, hand baths and foot baths in subjects with joint pain.
The muscle relaxant properties of Lavender work particularly well on muscle pain related to the menstrual cycle: a massage on the lower abdomen – especially when combined with a deep breathing practice – helps relax muscles and soothe cramps.
Laundry and washing machine
The name Lavender comes from the Latin lavandus: this is a clear indication related to hygiene and cleanliness. It is no coincidence that Lavender essential oil has antibacterial properties. Excellent for perfuming laundry and drawers, it is also suitable for personal hygiene.To perfume laundry with Lavender, we recommend making a natural fabric softener based on vinegar or citric acid, to which a few drops of essential oil are added.
Alternatively, it is possible to spray a Lavender essential oil spray inside wardrobes and drawers.
Tradition has it that bridal trousseaus were perfumed with bunches of Lavender, so that its sweet and relaxing scent would accompany them in their transition from their parental home to the one shared with their husband. Even today, the use of Lavender is associated with the cleanliness, freshness and purity of clean laundry.
Children
Lavender is the best known of the essential oils suitable for children. The sweetness of the scent and the delicacy of the active ingredients allow it to be used from early infancy.
The suggestion is to use it from 6 months of age. Aromatic baths, relaxing massages and chest rubs are just some of the possible uses. A few drops in cream help soothe diaper rash. For more restless children, the qualities related to harmony and nighttime rest are useful: in case of insomnia, an essential oil diffuser can be placed in the bedroom.
As we have already mentioned, Lavender essential oil is also an excellent remedy for bites, small cuts and scratches, very frequent during early childhood.
Lavender, as well as the precious essential oil distilled from this plant, must be stored in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. This way it will retain its scent and properties longer. As for the essential oil, check that the bottle is tightly closed to ensure that it retains its characteristics unchanged.
Dog's coat
For cleaning dog hair, we recommend using Lavender hydrolat: this is the aromatic water derived from steam distillation. This product contains about 2% essential oil already diluted within it. Antibacterial, soothing and slightly antiparasitic, Lavender aromatic water will make the coat shiny and soft.
To clean your dog, you can use a cloth moistened with the hydrolat and wipe it over the fur. This massage, in addition to removing excess hair, will be a welcome and relaxing pamper.
Mosquitoes
Lavender is a repellent for many insects, including mosquitoes. A drop of essential oil on the warmest parts of the body (wrists, neck, ankles) will help keep unwanted insects away.
However, Lavender turns out to be the best natural repellent when combined with other plants, such as Citronella and Mint.
Where to buy and how to choose lavender
If you wish to buy a Lavender plant, any nursery will have a wide range available in summer. If you want a bunch, you can collect it during the flowering periods, between late May and July.As for essential oil, before purchasing it is essential to know some indications about the varieties.
Lavandula Angustifolia (True Lavender)
Lavandula Angustifolia essential oil is the absolute best for aromatherapy. It is the rarest variety, its essential oil is particularly useful as a nervous rebalancer and for skin care.
Lavandula Latifolia (Spike Lavender) Essential Oil
Lavandula Latifolia (or Spike Lavender) is a cross between True Lavender and hybrid lavender. Its essential oil is suitable for aromatherapy. It contains a good amount of camphor, which is why it has anti-inflammatory, expectorant and anti-rheumatic properties.
Hybrid Lavender (Lavandin) Essential Oil
Lavandin has many flowers and a higher yield than other varieties. For this reason, it is much more economical. It is widely used for perfuming wardrobes: it contains a good percentage of camphor that repels insects and moths. It also has a strong anti-rheumatic power.A fragrant greeting,
Barbara - Olfattiva Aromatherapist
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