Though you may think lavender is a flower, it isn't. It's an evergreen fragrant shrub of the mint family. Lavender essential oil is massively utilized in the cosmetics industry. It’s also a principle unique ingredient in PHYTO5’s Fire element skin and hair care line because of its ability to cool and soothe the body (skin and scalp), the mind and emotions, and the spirit.
Soothing and cooling lavender essential oil is formulated into PHYTO5 Fire element Skin Toner, Day Cream, Night Cream, Phyt’Ether Serum, Red Clay Mask, Selextreme Swiss Mountain Exfoliating Salts, Yogi Body Gel and Shampoo. It is also formulated into PHYTO5’s organic certified Arnica-Lavender Massage Oil expressly for the purpose of soothing and calming.
The root of the word 'lavender' (latin: ‘lavare’) means to wash or to cleanse. In the Middle Ages it was associated with washing because the plant was used to scent washed fabrics. The Romans used lavender in bathing rituals recognizing its purifying ability which today we define as antiseptic and disinfectant.
In ancient Egypt, lavender was used in the mummification process. And in Elizabethan times, lavender was used to perfume clothes and bed linen since baths were not the common practice they are today.
In addition to its refreshing clean fragrance, lavender has wonderful cooling and soothing properties and though there are a myriad of ways to use lavender, here are a few:
In skincare for cleansing and soothing the skin;
In medicine to soothe burns and wounds;
To repel mice, flies, mosquitoes and other pests;
In cuisine such as in lavender lemonade, dried bloom sprinkles on dessert, in cakes, as tea, and as a component of salty meals combined with cheese;
For relieving insomnia by rubbing a few drops of lavender essential oil on the temples;
To aromatize your dresser drawers with sachets made of dried lavender;
In glorious flower arrangements to uplift the spirit;
For calming nerves, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and a troubled and busy mind; Arnica-Lavender Massage Oil by PHYTO5 is excellent for this and it’s certified organic;
When feeling lonely and missing mother; its fragrance is a comforting analog for mother.
For a host of other uses for lavender, visit NaturopathicbyNature.com.
Lavender Lemonade
Ingredients
1 cup raw honey (local if you can get it)
5 cups pure water
1 Tbsp. dried, organic culinary lavender (or 1/4 cup fresh lavender blossoms, crushed) (where to find online)
1 cup fresh-squeezed, organic lemon juice, strained
Ice cubes
Lavender sprigs for garnish
Instructions:
Bring 2 1/2 cups water to boil in a medium pan. Remove from heat and add honey, stirring to dissolve. Add the lavender to the honey water, cover, and let steep at least 20 minutes or up to several hours, to taste.
Strain mixture and discard lavender. Pour infusion into a glass pitcher. Add lemon juice and another 2 1/2 cups of cold water. Stir well. Refrigerate until ready to use, or pour into tall glasses half-filled with ice, then garnish with lavender sprigs.
This article was originally published on May 12, 2016 and was updated on May 16, 2021 with new information for freshness and comprehensiveness.