6 Ways to use Lavender Daily

Lavender, a soothing and potent flower, has been used medicinally for centuries by many different cultures. In early Egypt, mummies were embalmed with shrouds soaked in lavender, as it would keep insects away and help to preserve them. Ancient Rome used lavender in purifying baths, giving lavender the Latin name Lavare, which roughly translated, means “to wash.” It was meant to purify the body of toxins. Lavender is said to have many healing properties. When Medieval Europe was hit by the plague, herbalists would instruct the people to wrap sprigs of lavender around their arms and legs to keep the Black Death at bay. In World War I, nurses used lavender to wash clothes, to cool burns, and as an antiseptic for wounds. Today Lavender is often used to calm the nerve, release anxiety, and relax the mind. It can relieve a headache, migraines, and insomnia. Lavender can be used to help the uneasy mind to sleep, the anxious nerves to relax, consistent pain to ease.

Here are six of my favorite ways to incorporate more Lavender into my daily routine. Try them out!

Lavender sea salt bath soak & scrub

Make a comforting sea salt bath soak & scrub by combining ¾ parts Sea salt (Epsom salt can also be used instead of sea salt for those with sensitive skin, or a mixture of the two) with ¼ baking soda and adding an oil or several oils (choose a skin & hair boosting oil, like coconut, jojoba or avocado and also consider castor oil, a skin healing oil that won’t leave your skin dry.) Add lavender essential oil or herbs, or both, and any other oil or herb you’d like. (My favorites are rose petals, rosemary, lavender, and chamomile, with lavender and melaleuca oils.) Mix all these ingredients together and add to a glass jar. Shake before using, settling of the oils in natural.

Lavender relax and sweet dreams pouch

One of my favorite ways to use lavender is to throw a handful (or a couple handfuls) of the dried flower into a thin pouch (choose one you can see and smell the contents from the outside) and add other herbs, (rose petal, rosemary and mugwort are my personal choices) and simply keep the pouch under your pillow at night. I like to inhale from it deeply before going to sleep, and having it under your pillow will also lightly emanate the scent. You can also refresh the scent of the lavender buds by adding a couple drops of lavender essential oil every now and then. If you are so inclined, you could also add a clear quartz crystal, amethyst, selenite or any other relaxing or dream boosting crystal to help encourage lucid dreaming and a deep sleep.

Lavender healing salve

Use the powerful healing effects of lavender in this Healing Salve, including Lavender, Rosemary, Cottonwood Bark, Chamomile, and any other herbs you’d like to add to your choice of oil (choose from one of the options above) and soak the herbs in a glass jar (metal lid is fine this time) for at least two weeks. Then, strain the herbs from the oil with a cheese cloth or close mesh strainer and warm in a double boiler or a saucepan on low. Add 1-ounce beeswax to every 6 ounces of oil (a 1:6 ratio, a little more beeswax for a harder salve, a little less for a more gloss like salve) I don’t add any essential oils to this recipe so it can be safe for any burn, bruise, bump or bite.

Lavender lemonade

For 12 cups (about 1 pitcher) of water, squeeze or juice 6 large lemons, add 5 drops of lavender oil, 1 cup raw honey, and 1 cup of dried and crushed lavender flowers and blend. Feel free to add lavender sprigs and mint leaves for garnish.

Lavender face wash

Try ditching your store bought face wash in favor of a natural, only 5 ingredient lavender face wash! I used Lavender because it is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, and Tea Tree oil for its skin healing and anti-bacterial benefits, along with a couple drops of strong frankincense to heal scars and clean pores.

Ingredients:

¼ cup water

¼ cup castille soap

½ tsp. avocado or jojoba oil

¼ tsp. vitamin E oil

5 drops lavender

5 drops frankincense

Combine and store in a glass jar.

Lavender hair rinse tonic

Apple cider vinegar (or regular white) enough to cover the flowers.
enough dried lavender flowers to fill ½ of whatever jar you are using
glass jar with non-metal lid (use glass, cork, wood or plastic.)

Directions:
Place dried lavender into glass jar. Pour vinegar over the lavender. Cover with non-metal lid (vinegar ruins metal). Let sit in a cool dark place for 1-2 weeks. Use cheesecloth or a tight mesh strainer to strain the lavender flowers. Pour into a glass tincture bottle with a dropper or spray attachment.

To Use: Drop (or spray) all over your scalp. Let it sit on hair for about 5 minutes (the time it takes to shave your armpits or use a scrub) and then rinse with water. No other shampoo or conditioner is needed. Use once a week.