Lavender

Lavandula Angustifolia

Lavender Oil is a soothing and beautifully fragrant oil that really is a staple in our eyes. It can be used in aromatherapy, beauty and also to create multiple DIY products such as candles, household cleaners and massage oils.

History of Lavender Oil

Lavender Oil is packed with history, and ‘Lavender’ is derived from the Latin word ‘lavare’ which means to wash. It was originally used over 2,500 years ago by the ancient Egyptians. Cleopatra loved Lavender Oil, and allegedly used it to seduce Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The Egyptians also used Lavender Oil as a part of the mummification process, and you can still smell the scent of Lavender in Tutankhamun's tomb! It’s musky, dense scent has lingered for thousands of years - and that demonstrates just how powerful this little oil is!

Since its first recorded use during the Egyptian period, it has been used by multiple countries, cultures and religions and is widely respected even today due to its history of healing properties. Lavender is more popular in Europe and in Mediterranean regions as it prefers a dryer climate to be grown, but has also been used in Africa, India and the Middle East which report humid climates! In addition to Egyptians, ancient Romans used Lavender to scent their clothes, use its oil in baths and as a perfume on their skin.

Lavender is widely known for its use during the Great Plague in the 17th Century, as it was used to soothe and treat the sick either as a standalone oil/water or combined with other herbs to make medicinal blends. In fact, Lavender oil is still used in alternative medicine today as it has a number of healing and calming properties, and can help to improve anxiety and general mental health.

So, why has Lavender Oil survived through the ages as a staple for multiple cultures?

It’s simple - because it can be used for (pretty much) everything. In the modern world, you’ll notice that Lavender Oil is used mostly in perfumes or for soaps and sprays - but in reality it can be used for so much more.

Lavender oil can be used to create candles, cleaning products as well as a handy way of keeping bugs and insects at bay. It’s proven antiseptic properties enable it to fight off bacteria, which has meant that the oil is great to soothe stings and itches.

Lavender Oil is widely used in aromatherapy, and can be used to restore calm and aid restful sleep. Unlike most essential oils on the market, Lavender Oil pretty much ticks every box (including its affordability) which explains why it has been used for thousands of years. The plant itself is extremely resilient, surviving in intense heat and requiring little water to allow it to blossom. This has meant that the majority of the world has been able to incorporate Lavender in some respect into its culture or alternative medicine.

Extracting Lavender Oil

The lavender flower is very delicate, and unlike nut and seed oils it cannot be pressed to achieve extraction. Most commercial lavender oil producers will use a process called distillation, which involves using steam to extract the oil (which is lighter than water!) and floats on the top when the water cools in a steel drum. From there the oil is skimmed from the top and voila - Lavender essential oil is created! This process will take place after the flowers have turned greyish in color, as that is the best time to start the extraction process - which usually begins towards the middle of summer.

Despite this being the most popular route for large companies to take, it can be expensive for smaller companies to do this, so Lavender essential oil can also be created using a solvent such as Hexane or an alcohol. This takes a lot longer and can be considered a slightly more invasive process as it is using a chemical/alcohol to extract the oil, rather than steam which contains no nasties (as steam is water!). This is achieved through pouring alcohol directly on to the flowers which have been cleaned and put in a glass jar/bottle, and regularly shaking the mixture every 2-3 days for around 2 weeks. After this time, they strain the liquid and flower remains and what you are left with is the essential oil.

Can I do it at home?

Of course you can! Both the aforementioned ways could technically be done at home, but unless you have all of the equipment to steam the essential oil out of the lavender flower, then you’ll have to do it with alcohol. This can take around 2 weeks to do, so if you have time on your side and you want to do some experimentation with lavender you’ve grown, it can be a fun task to make your own! However, lavender essential oil is fairly inexpensive, so if your oil doesn’t turn out how you wanted it to - you can always leave the DIY behind and purchase a gorgeous oil instead!

Have you made an essential oil at home? We’d love to hear how it turned out. Feel free to reach out to the Essentially Yours team to share your story!

Can I do it at home?

Of course you can! Both the aforementioned ways could technically be done at home, but unless you have all of the equipment to steam the essential oil out of the lavender flower, then you’ll have to do it with alcohol. This can take around 2 weeks to do, so if you have time on your side and you want to do some experimentation with lavender you’ve grown, it can be a fun task to make your own! However, lavender essential oil is fairly inexpensive, so if your oil doesn’t turn out how you wanted it to - you can always leave the DIY behind and purchase a gorgeous oil instead!

Have you made an essential oil at home? We’d love to hear how it turned out. Feel free to reach out to the Essentially Yours team to share your story!

Lavender Oil Varieties

Lavender Oil Varieties

Lavender oil is extremely versatile and can pair well with other essential oils to make gorgeous blends, and of course is perfect for those of you who enjoy aromatherapy. So, without further ado - read more to learn about Lavender oil and its varieties!

So wait, you’re telling me that there’s more than one kind of lavender oil out there?

Well...yes! Lavender, known as ‘lavandula’ is made up of 45 different species, with over 450 varieties - a lot to take in, right? Depending on where it’s grown in the world, that can determine the type of lavender oil you are buying. Now, this doesn’t mean that you have to purchase over 450 bottles - quite the opposite. In fact, understanding the different varieties will enable you to narrow down to 3-4 different lavender oils as varying species can be more effective in tackling specific things.

For example, one species may be better at tackling anxiety and aiding sleep, whereas the other may be extremely effective for keeping bugs at bay when you are trying to enjoy a camping trip with your family! If you are someone who is getting a lot of use out of your Lavender oil, and find that it’s the one you reach for the most out of your collection - then it is definitely worth investing in some other varieties as you may get better results from some over others!

How do I know which oil is right for me?

The best way to understand which Lavender oil will compliment your needs best is by doing your research. Understanding which variation has given people the best results will enable you to make an informed decision on which variation of Lavender oil will help you achieve what you want. There are tonnes of blogs and research material that talk about the different variations in Lavender oil and what they can combat, so it’s as simple as typing the result you want into a search engine and reading through the research on that particular strain of Lavender oil!

Also, a huge part of choosing the right oil is personal preference, and each person reacts to oils differently. Another way to find the right lavender oil for you (if researching isn’t your thing) is to invest in 5-6 variations if your budget allows, and try them separately, or combine them to achieve your goals. Lavender oil is fairly inexpensive in comparison to others, so if you are a fan of experimenting, then this could be a great option for you.

So wait, you’re telling me that there’s more than one kind of lavender oil out there?

Well...yes! Lavender, known as ‘lavandula’ is made up of 45 different species, with over 450 varieties - a lot to take in, right? Depending on where it’s grown in the world, that can determine the type of lavender oil you are buying. Now, this doesn’t mean that you have to purchase over 450 bottles - quite the opposite. In fact, understanding the different varieties will enable you to narrow down to 3-4 different lavender oils as varying species can be more effective in tackling specific things.

For example, one species may be better at tackling anxiety and aiding sleep, whereas the other may be extremely effective for keeping bugs at bay when you are trying to enjoy a camping trip with your family! If you are someone who is getting a lot of use out of your Lavender oil, and find that it’s the one you reach for the most out of your collection - then it is definitely worth investing in some other varieties as you may get better results from some over others!

How do I know which oil is right for me?

The best way to understand which Lavender oil will complement your needs best is by doing your research. Understanding which variation has given people the best results will enable you to make an informed decision on which variation of Lavender oil will help you achieve what you want. There are tonnes of blogs and research material that talk about the different variations in Lavender oil and what they can combat, so it’s as simple as typing the result you want into a search engine and reading through the research on that particular strain of Lavender oil!

Also, a huge part of choosing the right oil is personal preference, and each person reacts to oils differently. Another way to find the right lavender oil for you (if researching isn’t your thing) is to invest in 5-6 variations if your budget allows, and try them separately, or combine them to achieve your goals. Lavender oil is fairly inexpensive in comparison to others, so if you are a fan of experimenting, then this could be a great option for you.

Benefits of Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has dated as far back as the Egyptian period, and has survived through the ages as a staple oil for health and wellbeing, including practices of alternative medicine which are still used today. With multiple variations of Lavender oil available on the market, it is a staple for a lot of the Essentially Yours team because it can do so many things!

So, what are the benefits of using Lavender Oil?

Lessened anxiety

Lavender oil is commonly used to alleviate anxiety and reduce stress. The scent of lavender is believed to help with those who are anxious or stressed, and it can be applied topically mixed with a carrier oil to the neck, wrists and chest. It can also be used by putting a few drops in an electric diffuser and letting the scent fill the room.

Improves digestion

Ingesting essential oils can be an effective way of using them, if done correctly. Lavender infusions including teas and oils can calm the digestive system and improve overall gut health. Remember, if you are ingesting essential oils ensure that you work with a professional who can help create the right blend and amount for you!

Stimulates hair growth

Lavender oil has been proven to stimulate hair growth and keep hair nourished and full of moisture. Whether this is applied topically to the roots with a carrier oil (coconut is one of our favourites) or it is used to create a hair mask, using Lavender oil in your hair care routine is a natural alternative to harsh chemicals that claim to boost hair growth and repair damaged hair

Less chemicals in the home

Lavender oil is perfect to use in the home as a form of bug repellent (better than chemical sprays) and can be used as polish to spruce up old pieces of wooden furniture. When used in the home either for fragrance or cleaning purposes, it is 100% natural and safer than using man made chemicals to clean and add a beautiful scent to your home.

Helps insomnia

Lavender oil has been used to help those who struggle with falling asleep, or suffer with insomnia. Similar to lessening anxiety, Lavender oil has a calming effect and a few drops can be put on your pillow to help induce a relaxed state and enable you to fall asleep better.

All in all, we absolutely love Lavender oil here at Essentially Yours. It is an oil that blends beautifully with a number of other oils on the market, and with multiple uses - you know that you will be getting the most out of this oil every single day!

Uses of Lavender Oil

Lavender Oil has been used for thousands of years, in fact - it dates as far back as being used by the Egyptians. Over time it has survived through the ages as multiple cultures and religions have used Lavender Oil in alternative medicine and healing. In the modern world, Lavender Oil is still widely used - but mostly in the commercial beauty industry. Lavender Oil is easily accessible, and despite mostly being featured in soaps and lotions, it is still practiced in alternative medicine all over the world.

We’ve split this blog into three separate sections for you, so you can understand the three main areas that you can use your Lavender Oil for - we hope you like it!

Beauty (skincare, haircare, cosmetics)

Lavender Oil can be used in conjunction with your hair care routine, as it has been proven to improve hair quality as well as stimulate growth. Due to the calming fragrance of Lavender Oil and anti-microbial properties, it can also work well with a carrier oil such as Almond or Coconut oil to make your own moisturisers. Finally, if you simply love the smell of Lavender Oil, you can use it as your own perfume by mixing with a carrier oil and dabbing a few drops onto your neck and wrists.

Mental and physical health

Adding a few drops of Lavender Oil into an electric diffuser can fill your room with a beautifully calming scent. This has been proven to reduce anxiety and stress, aid restful sleep as well as relax the muscles. Lavender Oil can also be mixed with a carrier oil and massaged into areas where you are experiencing muscular pain - a natural pain reliever!

Household

Having a house that is cleaned with chemicals can have damaging effects, and there are also multiple natural ways of cleaning your home and scenting it without having to use nasty chemicals. Adding a few drops of Lavender Oil to white vinegar makes a great kitchen and bathroom cleaner, and using a diffuser/candle to burn or steam the essential oil will make your home smell delicious!

Blends well with

Here at Essentially Yours, we love sharing our thoughts and knowledge on essential oils. Whether you are a newbie figuring out this wonderful world, or someone with an extensive collection wanting to learn more - Essentially Yours is packed full of resources so you can educate yourself further. In this blog, we are going to be talking about Lavender Oil and what it blends well with! In our eyes, this should be a staple in everyone's collection, purely because it’s so versatile! Originally used thousands of years ago by the Egyptians, Lavender Oil has survived through the ages as a staple for those in alternative medicine and aromatherapy.

Almond Oil

Sweet, rich and moisturising, Almond Oil is a carrier oil that blends perfectly with Lavender Oil. Whether you are using it to create a hair mask, or create a soothing moisturiser, Almond Oil is a personal favourite of ours to blend with Lavender Oil.

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Coconut Oil

Fatty and full of vitamins, Coconut Oil is a carrier oil that also compliments Lavender Oil nicely. Remember, this is an oil that is a solid at room temperature - so don’t be alarmed if your blend suddenly goes hard in the winter time! It will slowly melt in the heat of your own hand.

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Jojoba Oil

Soothing and luxurious, Jojoba Oil is another popular carrier oil that can be blended with Lavender Oil. It can also be used as a standalone moisturiser or a hair mask, or used to create a homemade candle or soap bar!

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Chamomile Oil

Calming and lightly scented, Chamomile works beautifully with Lavender Oil as a duo or with other oils as it doesn't have a super intense fragrance.

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Bergamot Oil

Tart, spicy and acidic, Bergamot pairs wonderfully with Lavender Oil for blends that are slightly more intense. The acidity of the Bergamot works well with the floral Lavender to create a ying and yang of blends.

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Lemongrass Oil

Fresh, tangy and sure to wake you up - we love the smell of Lemongrass mixed with Lavender. Summery and fresh, use this blend in a diffuser to keep your kitchen and living room smelling fresh - and feeling zen.

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Rosemary Oil

Woody and slight lemony undertones, Rosemary, like Bergamot, compliments Lavender Oil. It creates a blend that is full bodied in fragrance, which can work really well in a candle when you are having a luxurious bath!

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Sandalwood Oil

Similar to Chamomile, Sandalwood has a creamy, woody but sweet scent and can tone down the intensity that Lavender Oil can sometimes be. Not everybody loves the scent of Lavender, but if you still want to soak up its benefits, pairing it with something like Sandalwood is a great place to start. Use it in an electric diffuser in the bedroom to aid restful sleep!

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