Lavender...

or Lavender's origin is in the high mountains of Persia and southern France. It is a very hardy plant which can grow on rocky barren soil where few plants can survive and tolerates drastic temperature swings. In Haute Provence, there is a tradition of locals trekking up the mountains during late Summer to harvest the plant during the heat of the day, which is when the essential oil is at it's highest content. The lavender used in most essential oils today is cross of the wild French plant & a Spanish variety and is distilled through steam. This plant is described as having a light floral smell.

Lavender is considered one of the most versatile essential oils because of it's vast application and amazing qualities. We also have lavender in the house for it's ability to calm and stimulate & regenerate the nervous system. Part of anti-anxiety regiment is to diffuse lavender in the afternoon and rub the bottoms of my feet with a few drops at night. My son has sensory issues and we use diluted lavender on his back several times a day to help him calm....I literally don't leave the house without it! In addition to Lavender's calming & soothing qualities it is also a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, sedative and detoxifier. For the Mind & Spirit Lavender helps to cleanse, balance, streghten, stimulate, calm and refresh!

here are some of the ways my family has incorporated Lavender into our lives...

• 2 Tablespoons of coconut oil & 10 drops into a hot bath (adults only)
• place on cottonballs next to the pillow for restful sleep & to help keep any mosquitos away (great for camping)
• place on ribbon strips while enjoying a meal or evening outside to help keep the bugs away and infuse your outdoor living space
• add 1-2 drops to an 8oz glass of lemonade
• add a 1-2 drops to coconut chia pudding
• add 1-2 drops to a cup of white wine & juice of a lemon to stem artichokes
• add 1-2 drops to your dog's bandana to help with bugs
• add 1 drop to a q-tip and place around a tick to remove safely
• add to a salt bath to aide in detoxification...particularly helpful with bug & fire ant bites
• add 1-2 drops to palm and rub through your hair for a gorgeous sheen and aide with dandruff & cradle-cap
• rub on the bottom of the feet at night to calm
• add 1-2 drops to homemade caramel (at the end of the folding process)
• add 1-2 drops to homemade whip cream when it begins to form peaks
• add 1-2 drops to the palms, rub together, close the eyes & cup the face as you breathe in 10-20 slow deliberate breathes
• rub onto the shoulders and temples to relieve stress & muscle tension
• place on the bottom of the feet before meditation or restorative yoga
• apply neat (directly) to skin irritation, abrasion, sunburn or bruise to assist with healing
• add to coconut oil for a body rub & moisturizer
• place on clay diffuser in the car to calm during a long drive or traffic
• use 1-2 drops in lavender shortbread recipe instead of flowers
• place a few drops on wool dryer balls or a wash cloth to infuse your clothes
• use in cloth diaper pale
• place drops on clay diffuser in the bathroom
• add to 10-20 drops to a spray bottle of vinegar to use as eco-friendly and safe for animals & little ones cleaning spray
• 1-2 drops applied to the inside of my dog's ears during a thunderstorm to help calm

this information is from my personal experiences and my references The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood and the Complete Aromatherapy Handbook Essential Oils for Radiant Health by Suzanne Fischer-Rizzi.

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