Lavender 101: A Starter Guide to Using Essential Oil at Home
Last weekend we went to the Lavender Festival at the 123 Farm in Cherry Valley, California (about 2 hour's drive from Santa Monica).
It was lovely!
The location is stunning, and you are allowed to wander throughout all the lavender fields (who knew there were so many types of lavender? Even white lavender!). They offered seminars on the benefits of lavender, cooking with lavender, how to use lavender essential oils and simple but fun activities for
kids. Oh yeah, they also had lavender-infused lemonade, beer and champagne - YES!
Seriously, it felt like we had been transported to Provence.
Anyway, let's talk a bit about lavender, shall we?
Lavender isn't only pretty and smells great, but it is actually one of the most versatile essential oils. Before we show you just how versatile it can be, some things to keep in mind:
Lavender and tea tree oils are the only two essential oils that can be used 'pure' (ie: undiluted), however it should not be used undiluted in children under 2 or pregnant women (for these cases it is best to speak to an essential oil expert).
'Carrier oils' are oils that are used to dilute lavender oil. Some common carrier oils are: almond oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil (although this has a stronger smell of its own) and olive oil.
You can also dilute lavender oil with water (ideally distilled or boiled, in a spray bottle)
You should only buy USDA Organic Lavender Oil from a trusted source. Ideally so that you know it has not been exposed to certain factors that can affect its purity. (we purchased at the farm, however DoTerra is another trusted company. Contact a local DoTerra representative online or doTERRA Lavender Essential Oil 15 ml
Among it uses:
First Aid: cleans cuts, bruises and skin irritations.
Sleep aid: Rub 2-3 drops of lavender oil in your cupped palms, and inhale. Place Lavender oil on your pillow and bottom of feet to help you sleep
Headaches: Put a drop of Lavender into small amount of a carrier oil (coconut, almond, olive), and apply to the temples and the nape of the neck.
Bee sting / Insect bite: Add a drop of lavender into your favorite carrier oil and place on bite. Will reduce swelling and itching
Sunburns: Mix a few drops of Lavender into a spray canister with some cool water, shake well and spray on sunburnt area
Light Dandruff: Rub several drops of lavender oil into the scalp to help decrease dandruff
Insect repellent: Funny story - as a newlywed my husband and I lived in a small picturesque town outside of Paris. Our tiny cottage was lovely until we realized we had a house centipedes infestation. We sprayed lavender everywhere after reading it was an efficient repellent... so much that for years after we were both unable to use any lavender - the smell had traumatized us. Its been 10 years and I can finally say I like the smell again! Anyway- so it works. We used water and lavender oil but here is a recipe from the Wellness Mama for bug spray to spray on your clothes:
Homemade Bug Spray Instructions
Fill spray bottle (I used 8 ounce) 1/2 full with distilled or boiled water
Add witch hazel to fill almost to the top
Add 1/2 tsp vegetable glycerin if using
Add 30-50 drops of lavender essential oils. The more oils you use, the stronger the spray will be. (she recommends mixing: Rosemary, Clove, Cajeput, Lavender, Cinnamon and Eucalyptus)
March 2018 update: a new study has found evidence of potential endocrine disrupting properties in lavender oil and tea tree oil. For more information please read our post