What Is So Great About Lavender Soap?

If you've never used lavender soap before, the first thing you are going to notice is the crisp, clean fragrance. Lavender gives off a sweet, floral overtone that makes it a favorite soap ingredient. You may not know it, but lavender soap isn't just used to wash the body. The essential oils that lavender produces are made into washing detergents, dishwashing and even floor soaps. And lavender isn't just known for its scent. It also helps to promote relaxation, which is why using it in your home can help to create a very peaceful environment.

How Does it Clean?

We've already established the great smells that helps you to relax, but how well does it actually clean? Well, according to the Entomology Research Institute of Loyola College, lavender oil possesses powerful antibacterial as well as antiseptic properties that make it perfect for aiding in insect bite healing and sunburns. Basically, any soap that contains lavender essential oils can be used for healing skin infections. Lavender's antibacterial properties also make it a great remedy for scabies and eczema.

Lavender has long been used to cure various ailments. It's even a great anti-inflammatory, as it helps to promote new cell growth. When you put essential oils, or even soap, on your skin, you will begin healing right away and you will even prevent scars from forming.

Lavender and Stress Relief

When you use lavender soap, you can actually help to relieve your anxiety and stress. That's right. According to Psychology Today, there was a study done by Charles Stuart University in Australia that showed how lavender actually changes our brainwaves and helps to create a feeling of well-being and relaxation. That means you can use the lavender soap right before bedtime to get a restful sleep. It can also be used on small children to help them relax if they, too, are anxious or too rambunctious.

Many Uses for Lavender Soaps

Lavender isn't just used in soap. It's also used in teas and it's heavily used in aromatherapy to help promote stress-relief and anxiety-relief. But you may not know that it's used to repel fleas. Soaps that contain lavender essential oils can be used to not only repel fleas, but kill them. You can even put a few drops of lavender into your pet's shampoo as a safe and effective flea treatment.

Anti-Aging Properties

Lavender is also used in anti-aging treatments. Since lavender helps to promote new cell growth, you can actually reverse time on your skin. Lavender soaps leave your skin feeling soft and clean, and they neutralize dry and oily skin at the same time.

Now you know all the benefits of lavender soap. With its robust, flowering scent and strong anti-bacterial properties, it's one of the best soaps you can buy. But when you take into account all the healing properties, and the fact that it promotes relaxation and stress-relief, everyone should use some type of lavender soap in their home. Not only will it bring a sense of peace, but it will make your house smell fantastic.

Lavender World is the new online shopping retailer which sells everything lavender, purple and lilac. This calendar month, sees the thrilling launch of the brand-new Lavender Soap range.

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Lavender: Add A Relaxing Element To Your Herb Garden.

There are various types of lavender however the three main types of lavender that are most popular are the English, French and Italian varieties. There are many varieties of lavender that have been hybridized which makes them quite easy to grow hardy. The only downside is that if you grow the seeds they will revert back to the original plant. Hybrid varieties of lavender have larger flowers so if you are after a lavender plant that looks good then a hybrid version is what you are looking to find.

If you are adding lavender to your herb garden for the purpose of harvesting the oil or doing other craft work then you need to plant English lavender is the perfect choice as it has a very strong scent. English lavender is without a doubt the most popular variety of lavender. English lavender is recognizable by its small compact bushy appearance, which normally reaches about three feet tall. It has very striking sliver leaves and small mauve flowers that appear at the end of the long stems. The flowers that appear on English lavender plants also come in shades of blue, white and pink as well as mauve. Gardeners will find the highest concentration of oil located in the flowers of the lavender plant.

The French variety of lavender is well known as the most hardy variety of lavender and will generally reach a height of around five feet. If the plant is relieved of spent blooms regularly you will see that your plant will bloom for almost nine months out of the year which makes French lavender an excellent value for your money. The blossoms from French lavender can be trimmed and dried and used in crafts such as potpourri and sleep pillows. If you find a nice sunny spot for your French lavender you will be rewarded with blossoms that are very rich in color.

Italian lavender is the smallest of the three varieties of lavender as it only grows to be around two feet tall. You will find that Italian lavender is a bit more scarce then the English and French lavender but it is well worth the time and energy if you take the time to grow it. Italian lavender is not as highly scented as the other two varieties but will make a very pretty small hedge or ground cover.

The optimal time to harvest lavender flowers for drying is to do so just before the very last flowers have opened. You should harvest the blooms while the weather is still cool so that you will be able to retain the most oil essence. Hand the harvested lavender in a shady and well ventilated area to dry and then remove the flowers from the stems and store in an airtight container.

Most all varieties of lavender prefer to be grown in a sunny area with well-drained soil.

Lavender has been used as a cure for faintness and has a very calming effect. Lavender is also very good if used cosmetically to take care of oily skin problems.

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Do You Know the Different Lavender Herb Types

Lavender herb is a popular addition to gardens. The aromatic flower spikes are excellent in dried flower arrangements or potpourri. The plant can also be used to make essential oils and for natural healing. Some people also use the plant in cooking, although this is not common. There are around thirty varieties of lavender. However, the most often used are the English, French and Spanish varieties.

English lavender, botanically known as Lavendula angustifolia, is the type most people picture when they hear the word lavender. The plant has purplish flowers and grows to two or three feet. Their fragrance is strong, which is why this type is the one most commonly used for aromatherapy.

There are sub-varieties of English lavender. These tend to be smaller in size, work well as edging and come in other colors than the traditional lavender. Varieties include Melissa, which has pink flowers; Baby Blue, which has purple flowers; Nana Alba, which has white flowers; and Martha Roderick, which has bluish-lavender flowers.

French lavender, or Lavendula dententa, is a milder variety of lavender. It has a more subdued fragrance than its English cousin. Flowers are not quite as vibrant. This type is typically used more for decorative appearance rather than aromatic appeal. This plant also grows up to three feet in height. Leaves are serrated.

The flower many gardeners mistakenly assume is French lavender is actually Spanish lavender. Botanically known as Lavendula stoechus, the plant grows between eighteen inches and two feet in height. Petals are upright and similar in appearance to a pine cone. In Spring, deep purple flowers appear. Bees tend to like this type, which grows best in humid areas.

Of these three main types, English lavender tends to be the hardiest. It can winter outdoors provided it has shelter and a layer of mulching to protect it. The French and Spanish varieties need more warmth and should be moved indoors. If you do not bring them in, you will have to replace the plants each year.

When purchasing lavender commercially, you may notice it labeled as true lavender, spike lavender or lavandin. True lavender has barrel-shaped flowers, short and narrow leaves and crooked stems. It is commonly used for aromatherapy. Spike lavender, like the name implies, grows more and spikes. This type yields the highest amounts of essential oils. Lavandin, sometimes called Dutch lavender, is a hybrid of true and spike lavenders. It has vibrantly colored flowers and is often used as part of decorative accents or potpourris.

While lavender can be grown from seed, it is difficult. Most gardeners start their plants from cuttings or root divisions. They need moist, well-drained soil to flourish. Provide protection from the sun for the first year before moving to the garden. To encourage the plant to bush out, cut flower shoots off the first year in the garden. After the first year, the plant just requires dead-heading of old flowers to keep it going strong. For the strongest aroma, harvest at the end of summer on a hot, dry day.

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Growing Lavender Plant Varieties in the Finest Conditions and How to Use Them

Growing lavender plants is a very simple process. They are a very well adapt plant and can survive in many conditions. Even though the plant did originate from the warmer climate of the Mediterranean. Lavender will require well drained soil with a warm climate and in full sun. It is a very hardy plant as it does survive well in rocky soil. One element to keep at bay is not to water your plant too much. Try and keep the soil moist but do not over water as this will cause root rot.

Plants that are set in the ground during the summer will bloom in early spring so a harvest must be taken to produce more flowers for the summer. There are many different types of lavender and some have different sizes. Some stems on some lavender will grow to higher than twelve inches while others are small and compact at two to three inches. Lavender doesn't just come in purple either, you can get it in blue, pink or white.

When you harvest the flowers in the spring cut long stemmed lavender to one third of its height. The short stemmed lavender can be cut all the way down to new growth. After winter you may see an area in your lavender plant that is brown but do not cut it back until the middle or end of June. It just might start to sprout by then. Cut flowers whenever you need them and also cut the plant back in order to retain shape. Do this at the end of the spring season and again in August. This will give the plant time to build back energy before winter comes and covers it with snow.

You do not have to grow lavender just in the ground as it grows great in a container. People that live in a shady place can move the containers here and there to keep them in sunlight. The large roots of a lavender plant like to be contained in a small area for some reason. The pot you put a lavender plant in should only be a few inches larger than the root system itself. The pot must drain after watering so put a large amount of gravel in the base of the pot before planting. Water lavender plants only when the soil feels very dry to the touch.

Lavender comes in a variety of types and you can get some that will endure a major winter blast. There is lavender with tall stems and some with short and some lavender types are more known for the lovely smell of the flowers. If you have a project to make wreaths get a type that has big flowers. If you want to make something that smells good get a type that is popular because of the extreme scent it gives off. If you like the look of a hedge of lavender purchase plants that are fast growers. Take a good look at where you live and grow lavender plant types that are right for your climate. There are so many types you will be able to find just the right one for you.

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The Uses Of Lavender For Your Beauty Regimen

Lavender is a very popular herb but some people – especially those who are not into this
herbal thing and aromatherapy, do not know as to what extent it can do. But if you want
to use herbs in your beauty regimen, then knowing more about lavender may just be your
first good step because it is versatile, and has a lot of potentials that have been used
by people for many centuries.

Lavender is a tiny evergreen shrub that grows well in temperate areas and in many
countries around the world, mostly in Mediterranean countries. It produces tiny pink,
white, or pale blue flowers and can grown in very high altitudes. It came from the Latin
word “lavare” which means “to wash”.

There are many varieties of lavender. The most common is Lavandula anguistifolia or
officinalis, while the others are Lavandula stoechas, Lavandula dentate and Lavandula
multifida. Lavender has a long history that dates back to the time of the Roman Empire,
when it was used by Romans during bath rituals. It was also often used by herbalists for
insect bites and to repel insects. Its insect repelling properties were useful during The
Plague, when lavender was used to repel fleas. Associated with feminity, it quickly
became popular among the royalties, especially with Queen Victoria for its calming
properties.

Up to this day lavender proves to be versatile that does a lot of in so many areas of
health. As far as beauty is concerned, lavender oil can be used, along with olive oil and
other essential oils, to treat acne. It is also used to prevent hair loss. Pour 3-6 drops
of lavender oil in water when bathing. Due to its antibacterial and antiseptic
characteristics, it can control blemishes, treat insect bites, burns and skin
inflammations. A favorite among aromatherapists, lavender is often used in soap making,
candle making and perfumery. It is used for massage, foot care, and as a hair rinse to
clean the scalp and gives it a nice fragrance. It is used to make potpourris, salt baths,
balms, lotions, salves and creams. The reason for this could lie in its herbaceous, yet
floral scent – elegant, feminine, relaxing, calming, and soothing. Its scent invokes
relaxation and peacefulness – calming for some to fall asleep. When used along with
chamomile to make a sachet, it can be placed under a pillow to ward off insomnia.

Do you know that aside from using lavender in your beauty regimen, it can also serve as a
mood booster as well? This was proven by two separate studies done by researchers from
University of Miami in the US and the University of Northumbria in the UK. In the US
study, participants who were given lavender felt much better and were less depressed. The
same result was reached by the other researchers from the University of Northumbria.

Being an adaptogen, lavender can also eliminate stress and irritability. So if you are
stressed, inhaling some lavender might be your answer.

While there are many more uses this herb has, I have only mentioned those in the beauty
aspect and will mention more in another article.

Want free aromatherapy home recipes? Then go to Aromatherapy Home Recipes for comprehensive lists of recipes, essential oil profiles and more! Subscribe to our free “Aromatherapy for Beginners”ecourse, a helpful introduction to an exciting world of aromatherapy.

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Lavender Wedding Theme - The Best Kept Secret

If you want your wedding to be one of a kind, absolutely distinctive and unique, take heart. One of the most wonderful things about modern day wedding ceremonies and the receptions that follow is that the bride and groom can customize virtually every aspect of the day to reflect their personality as a couple. As you go through the ceremony and reception in your mind, do not overlook the power that the color of your wedding theme will have. In a very real sense, it will set and enhance whatever mood you are seeking to create. For someone as unique and special as you, why not consider lavender?

The woman who chooses lavender loves nature and is captivated by the delicate and the subtle. Not for her are traditional pink or even glowing pastels. Instead, she wants the multi-hued purples that make up lavender and are reminiscent of Easter and lilacs. These can be reflected in your bridal bouquet, which could be comprised of lavender flowers, white roses and even blooms of other complimentary colors. To accentuate your bouquet, your fiance could sport a lavender boutonniere.

Whether your vows are to be exchanged inside or outdoors, lavender will complement the beauty and solemnity of the occasion. This flower symbolizes caution and devotion, two traits particularly at the forefront on your wedding day. To show off the beauty of the flowers, you might decorate church pews or pillars in purple with sprigs of lavender as accents. Lavender would also be a terrific color for your party decorations, particularly if your post ceremony celebration is to be held outside. Just imagine how lovely each table would be if it displayed a centerpiece made up of lavender flowers and beautiful, fresh green boughs. All that is then required is simple white or ivory tablecloths and chair covers to complete the scene. At the seat of each guest you could place a fragrant lavender sachet, which will serve as an aromatic reminder of your special day for a long time to come.

As you might imagine, there are many options worth considering when it comes to planning a wedding with a lavender theme. Your bridesmaids dresses could be dyed in this hue. Perhaps you could even provide your bridal party with lavender themed gifts such as tanzanite necklaces or earrings. Even your wedding cake could mirror the theme by being covered in lavender colored icing flowers. Make the most of this special time to let your unique taste shine through. Think lavender!