Lavender Essential Oil to the Rescue

Whenever I travel I always take an "emergency kit" of essential oils with me. One of the essential oils I find most useful to have on hand is lavender. Thinking back to the times away from home when I've had to use it, many incidents come to mind. The most dramatic was the time in Florida when my husband was checking under the hood of the car and the radiator cap exploded into his face, hitting him on the forehead. The water bubbled up and his entire upper body was scorched.

I immediately doused him with undiluted lavender oil, then applied aloe vera gel, which I also had with me. I kept reapplying the lavender until the soreness subsided and also gave him a couple of Aspirins for the shock. Luckily, we had access to a swimming pool close by, and got there as soon as we could.

My husband stayed neck deep in the pool for about twenty minutes. When he came out, there wasn't a mark on his body except for where the radiator cap had struck his forehead. Our friends who witnessed this said it was a miracle - they had never seen burns heal like this.

One time when I was telling this story, a lady told me that this same type of accident had happened to her husband and he had to spend time in the hospital with third degree burns. Thank goodness for lavender!

Another time lavender came to my rescue was when my son picked me up at the Vancouver airport, saying we'd have to hurry to get to an emergency clinic, as he had just been stung by a bee. He has a history of violent allergic reactions to bee stings; each one getting a little worse. His hand was already swollen to twice its normal size and the swelling was rapidly moving up his arm. Fortunately I was wearing a pendant that contained lavender and I immediately applied it to his bite, stopping the swelling and eliminating the rush. We didn't go to the clinic.

Over the years I have used lavender on numerous people who have had bad reactions to insect bites. It nearly always helps. It is also great for taking the itch out of mosquito bites.

Lavender is also one of my standbys for treating headaches. Just a drop rubbed into the temples and another under the hairline at the back of the neck will usually do the trick.

How Growing an Aromatic Lavender Hedge Can Be Good for You and Your Garden

There are very good reasons why growing lavender has been so popular with generations of gardeners and farmers. Perhaps the most important reason is that it has a beautiful, fragrant smell. When it flowers we are all immediately reminded of summer, and in many places around the world flowering lavender is cause for celebration. But as well as being admired for its beauty it also has a long history as a healing and restorative plant.

Lavender originates from the mountainous zones of the Mediterranean, but it now flourishes throughout southern Europe, Australia, and the United States. Like another well-known herb, rosemary, it's a heavily branched short shrub that grows to a height of between 2 and 3 feet. For this reason it's an excellent herb for growing as an aromatic garden hedge. In this article I'll explain how you can grow a lavender hedge and how to put its flowers to use in many areas around your home.

To help you understand how easy and straightforward it is to grow a lavender hedge I have structured my article as six short paragraphs:

- Where to plant your lavender hedge
- What sort of lavender to plant
- Buying or growing your lavender?
- How to plant your lavender hedge
- Looking after your lavender
- Putting your lavender to healthy uses

Where to Plant Your lavender hedge

When you are looking for a site to plant your lavender hedge, bear in mind that lavender loves a sunny location and light, dry, well drained alkaline (ph 7.5 to 8) soil. If you plant lavender in moist and shady conditions it won't flourish and becomes prone to fungus.

When you choose a site for your hedge also bear in mind that lavender is excellent at repelling insects (with the exception of bees and butterflies which it attracts). This makes it a good companion plant for orchards and other areas of your garden where insects such as flies and mosquitoes are a nuisance.

What Sort of lavender to Plant

Don't just buy the first lavender you see in your garden center or shop. There are many types of lavender plants available, but to keep things simple I'll introduce you to just two of them, both of which are suitable for growing a lavender hedge.

Lavandula stoechas (commonly called French lavender) has short, fat spikes of dark purple flowers topped with butterfly wing bracts (small leaves attached to a flower)

Lavendula augustifolia (commonly called English lavender) which has small purple flowers.

French lavender will grow a little taller than English lavender (up to 3ft instead of 2ft), but English lavender has a stronger smell which is good if you intend to harvest the flowers to make potpourri and aromatic oils.

Buying or Growing Your lavender

I don't recommend trying to grow your lavender from seed because seeds frequently don't produce plants that are true to type. Either buy small plants that are ready for transplanting or take your own cuttings from another plant. If you decide to take cuttings, take 2 inch stems from the tips of the lavender in mid to late summer. Trim off the upper and lower leaves of these stems and then plant them in a mixture of 2/3 course sand and 1/3 peat moss. Keep the soil on the dry side until the roots have formed and shoots appear, and then replant the young plants in pots ready for planting out.

How to Plant Your lavender hedge

Plant your lavender hedge in either the spring or the fall. Make a trench about 16 inches deep and 18 inches wide, and fill this up with a mix of potting compost and coarse sand. Plant your young lavender plants about 2 feet apart (which will to allow for growth). If you plant in the spring, remove any blooms to force the energy into root growth. If you plant in the fall all the plant's energy will be directed into growing its roots.

Looking After Your lavender

Keep your plants watered, even during the winter, although in the winter months the plants are largely dormant, and you'll see no new growth until mid-May. Feed your lavender plants with a suitable fertilizer in early spring and again in mid-summer.

Lavender tends to get woody and needs to be maintained by pruning. Do this in March/Early April before new shoots have formed and at the end of the season when flowering has finished. It's a good idea to shape your lavender hedge. I prune mine to create a circular bush in the spring, and aim to take off about 1/3 of its height when I carry out a major prune at the end of the summer.

Pruning your lavender plants at the beginning and end of the season will encourage healthy growth and lots of flowers. I also dry my pruned cuttings and use them as kindling wood during the winter. They release a wonderful scent as they burn.

You will also probably want to cut lavender flowers during the growing season to use in the home in some of the ways I have described in the final part of my article. Flowers can be cut from the early spring before they open and during the summer.

Although lavender is a perennial herb your hedge will start to get quite woody after a few years depending on growing conditions. I recommend that when the hedge begins to look a bit ragged you take lots of cuttings and replant it either at the end of the season or in the spring.

Putting Your lavender to Healthy Uses

Whilst growing lavender in your garden will bring endless pleasure, it also has many other uses:

Oil of lavender:
Make this by immersing your lavender flowers in neutral oil. The aromatic oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact it was used in hospitals during WWI to disinfect floors and walls. This oil can also be used as a fragrance for bath products.

Dried lavender flowers:
These are used to perfume linen. The dried flowers have a powerful, aromatic odor which repels moths, flies and mosquitoes

Culinary lavender:
Use fresh or dried flowers to flavor sugars jellies, ice-cream and cheeses. you can also crystallize flowers and use as decorations on cakes.

In conclusion I hope I have been able to show you that creating a lavender hedge isn't difficult. If you follow the instructions I have provided you will end up with a healthy, strong, attractive hedge. It might take a couple of years to really establish itself, but whilst this is happening you can harvest and preserve the flowers so you can enjoy the results of your hard work throughout the winter months.

This article by Adam Gilpin has been produced to encourage more people to create their own herb gardens and discover the 100's of different ways in which herbs such as lavender can be used in the garden and around the house.

Lavender Bridesmaid Dresses Bring Natural And Romantic Flavor To Your Wedding

Because of the great convenience on most matters in modern people' s life, lots of fashion-conscious persons have been accustomed to seeing various trends go in and out from the fashion clothing, accessories and footwear industry in a fast pace. Certainly, people living in the present era are lucky. They can follow the vogue mainstream without spending a small fortune. They can look as elegant as their favorite celebrities without shopping around in many malls. Instead of obeying fixed fashion rules, modern people tend to break lousy clichés and open new paths on their fashion styles. It' s nothing strange to see a young girl charms the crowd by a uniquely appealing semblance. She may not spend a lot on her clothing and shoes. But allure oozing out from her entire appearance feels really irresistible for everybody who passes by her side. Of course, you can also show your best in a thrifty way. Just find the perfect item to accentuate your femininity please.

Nowadays, understated elegance becomes a hot theme embraced by both trend setters and followers. To enhance your glamour, exaggerating or lavish elegance has become a no-no in today' s period. You can also flatter a rich taste. But avoid twinkling colors or overdoing elegance please. If possible, try to add some natural and romantic touches to your appearance please. Certainly, there are so many chic articles for personal adornment that will well cater to this kind of beauty appreciation. Let' s just take choosing a wedding dress as an example this time.

Different with usual fashion clothing, wedding dresses carry special and memorable meaning for every girl. In most cases, brides-to-be are prone to set a big budget on their wedding gowns to make sure they will seem incredibly elegant on the most important day throughout their life. Yes, this is rather understandable. So many celebrities show us extremely luxurious wedding gowns that usually cost thousands of dollars or even one billion. They seem incredibly ornate and absolutely queens on their nuptials. However, how many people have the economic capability to afford the highest-end bridal dresses on earth? I' m afraid the amount will not be large. Thus, come back to reality please. Instead of breaking the wallet to buy an expensive wedding dress, you can really express your personality and ideally adorn your figure by a moderately gorgeous wedding gown, which usually costs you much less if you buy it online. At present, off the shoulder and empire waist wedding dresses are definitely fashion darlings. White continues to be impressive. But to accentuate the natural and romantic sense on a spring wedding, lavender becomes hot recently. Both wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses are made to be lavender, seeming chic, dolce and graceful. If you are conscious enough about signals released from the fashion clothing industry, you will know lavender is always a popular color on various exquisite dresses. Less profane than purple, its freshness and quietness have created eye-catching scenes on the solemn date for several times.

Beijing Lavender Garden: The Most Hot Tourist Destination In This Hot Summer

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If you have no chance to get to Provence of France, the “Zihaixiangdi Art garden” in Miyun, Beijing is a good alternative.

Lavender

The viewing time of the lavender flowers is longer than that of Provence, lasting from May to November.

Romance

However, in July and August the purple flowers are at their most beautiful.

Over 200 species of precious vanilla flowers are planted in the art garden, including 20 species of lavender flowers.

relaxing

The mixed aroma attracts visitors to the gate of the garden. But lavender catches the eye as well as arresting the other senses. Thousands of square kilometers of purple flowers waving in the wind, sending forth a waft of their sweet fragrance.

beautiful house

It could be the most romantic thing, to see an endless purple blanket blooming in front of you.
European garden

The Natural Muscle Relaxant: Lavender

If there is a specific cause for muscle pain such as Arthritis or disc problems, there are also a number of specific remedies that can help deal with these ailments. But for pain relief, most people seek prescription pharmaceutical medication, which can have bad side effects and can even cause allergies, aside from the fact that it can be damaging to our bodies. If one is looking for a muscle pain relief but is worried about drug interactions and its adverse effects, then they may consider using natural muscle relaxants.

For general muscle relaxation, a massage using two teaspoons of almond or olive oil mixed with 3 drops each of essential oils of lavender, a natural muscle relaxant can help bring relief. lavender is as old as humankind. Already in use by different civilizations for more than 2,500 years, this beautifully-scented herb has been used in the following ways such as perfume, disinfectant, deodorant, aphrodisiac, and insect repellent.

Lavender, the bushy perennial with the refreshing and delightful scent, has a long history of medicinal uses. It is calming and has an uplifting influence. Warm lavender tea applied as a compress can relieve a headache. In the bath water, lavender oil relaxes one, and gets rid of tension, thereby making one feel better.

Lavender was also used in ancient times to tame lions and tigers. Perhaps the ancient people intuitively knew what researchers are finding out about lavender. Researchers have proven that it calms anxiety and provides natural stress relief. lavender has also a long list of medicinal properties, making it a natural health superstar. These days, lavender is enjoying renewed popularity as an alternative natural muscle relaxant.
lavender was also used in earlier days as a condiment and for flavoring dishes to comfort the stomach. It has aromatic, carminative, and nervine properties. Though largely used in perfumery, it is now not much employed internally, except as a flavoring agent, occurring occasionally in pharmacy to cover disagreeable odors in ointments and other compounds.

Red lavender lozenges are employed both as a mild stimulant. More than just lozenges, the red lavender product is also a favorite after-dinner treat because of its pleasant taste. The essential oil, or the spirit of lavender made from it, proves admirably restorative and tonic against faintness, palpitations of a nervous sort, weak giddiness, spasms, and colic. It is agreeable to the taste and smell, provokes appetite, raises the spirits and dispels flatulence. The dose is from 1 to 4 drops on sugar or in a spoonful or two of milk.

A few drops of the essence of lavender in a hot foot bath is often prescribed as a means of effectively relieving fatigue. If applied outwardly, it relieves toothache, neuralgia, sprains, and rheumatism. In hysteria, palsy and similar disorders of debility and lack of nerve power, lavender will act as a powerful stimulant.

Before you reach for over the counter drugs for your next muscle relaxant, why not do what ancient Egyptians did and look to nature first. After all, if lavender could tame tigers, imagine what it could do for Monday mornings at the office? Definitely, lavender, is the ultimate natural muscle relaxant.

Why Lavender Lavatory Accessories Are Thus Relaxing

During this highly worrying and quick paced planet that we tend to live in nowadays, it is absolutely essential to have a peaceful haven of harmony and relaxation. The toilet, being a room that we have a tendency to all use each single day, is a perfect place to strive and produce an atmosphere of calm. As a result of of the strain of the surface world, and the soothing, relaxing result of hot water and hot bathing, many individuals these days use the bathroom for a ton a lot of than simply its primary function. Typically folks return home stressed and with apprehension, and use the bathroom to unwind.

Lavender rest room accessories are perfect for this reason.

Whilst electing the possible type and style of the decorations to use in the toilet, you would like to require due care and consideration in defining exactly what your likeslikes are. All of the members of the family must clearly feel snug in the environment that prevail. Build positive that you take the time to determine exactly that amount in history you would like the décor to be from. Any seller of bathroom accessories can want to show a healthy alternative of wares if they're to survive in the fashionable competitive world. Both historic styles from previous eras and modern designs from today can be featured.

The one factor that you need to be especially aware of when selecting how to brighten and furnish your toilet is to form certain you get the main, huge purchases right. This can be not solely because of the intense expense concerned in creating a slip-up at this stage, however also as a result of of the work concerned in physically making the changes. With items of a smaller size, and,price, there's nearly the identical worry. It is never wise, however, to throw cash away, thus a little bit of careful thought given at this stage however makes sense. If you think that that lavender bathroom accessories are for you, then make positive you think that it through first.

Lavender lavatory accessories are readily accessible in searching malls, and on the internet. These are mainly things of a lesser nature, like a soap dispenser, hand crafted and hand painted, which would make a terribly aesthetic addition to any bathroom. Many sorts of lavender bath accessories are available, with one complete assortment of a bathtub set comprising of lavender tub soap, bathtub oil, body lotion, and tub and shower cream. lavender is meant to have the good thing about being a natural antiseptic, and is also imagined to be have calming properties. It's even been steered as having some benefit in the treatment of headaches.

When you are trying to find the simplest potential supply of lavender bathroom accessories, the simplest place to appear is through an internet search. There are currently so several retailers with on-line stores, that the mad scramble for business has meant that costs on the internet are often not up to those in traditional retail stores. Usually lower still are the prices on the web auction sites, where you find vendors selling at set costs furthermore as the bidding auctions. The web is the simplest place to search out bargains on lavender toilet accessories.

Bathroom Accessories In Lavender

Bathroom accessories can make or break a bathroom's decor. Bathroom accessories come in many styles. Bathroom accessories come in many colors. The careful shopper will take time to choose both the right style and the right color.

Bathroom accessories in lavender are an example. Lavender bathroom accessories can be had in a variety of styles and a variety of hues. You can find bathroom accessories in dainty lavender flowers on pristine white ceramic. You can find bathroom accessories in lavender wicker with chrome, brass, or bronze bases.

As you seek out bathroom accessories in lavender, you will want to ask yourself several questions. These will help you zero in on what you really want before you begin shopping.

1. Color: There are many shades of lavender. Visit a paint store and find the shade you wish to feature. Are you looking for lavender blue or lavender green? You may remember the old lullaby lyrics that begin with the words, "lavender's blue, dilly dilly, lavender's green. When you are king, dilly dilly, I shall be queen." You may want to copy out the lyrics and frame them for your bathroom wall. Set a theme with them, and combine bathroom accessories in lavender blues and lavender greens.

2. Style: Do you want bathroom accessories in lavender flowers, or in abstract swirls? Do you prefer simple, clean lines, or more ornate designs? Do you enjoy retro purple lavender or watery, pearl lavender?

Think about the color of your walls and floor before you make decisions on your bathroom accessories. Remember the secret to ideal color combinations: the 60-30-10 rule. Use about 60 percent of one dominant color in your bath decor. Use 30 percent of a lesser color. Use only 10 percent of your accent color.

In this case, lavender bathroom accessories will probably comprise your ten percent of accent color. The lavender should go well with the dominant and lesser colors on walls, floors, and fixtures.

Bathroom Accessories in Lavender Flowers

If you prefer flowers, you might want to look for lavender/purple flowers such as the following on bathroom accessories.

1. Lavender itself – flowers from the herb
2. Lavender iris
3. Lavender and yellow pansies
4. Lavender wisteria
5. Lavender lupine

Other Bathroom Accessories in Lavender

Lavender bathroom accessories are available in more than just flowers.

Dragonflies are often depicted in lavender on shower curtains, toothbrush holders, soap dishes, dispensers, and other bathroom accessories.

Whimsical cherubs in lavender, gold, and white are featured in some bathroom accessories. In others, these colors appear on the gossamer gowns and wings of woodland fairies.

Plain lavender bathroom accessories are readily available. The color and style are simple and cooling. They blend well with most bath decors.

Towels and rugs in lavender should match or closely complement the hues used in your other bathroom accessories.

Budget bathroom accessories in lavender

Your budget will go further if you shop garage sales and thrift stores for bathroom accessories in lavender shades. You might want to be creative by selecting objects such as a lavender tumbler or simple vase for a toothbrush holder. Add a lavender dessert dish to hold your soap.

Helpful Tip

When using bathroom accessories in lavender, include a lovely bouquet of dried lavender. Its cool color and relaxing aroma can quickly turn your bath into a luxury retreat.

How to Make Lavender Oil Lotion for Strengthening Skin

Dry, cracked and chapped skin is a painful issue that many people struggle with. Whether it is caused by the dry, cold, blustery, winter weather or frequently washing with soaps, the skin needs support and attention to stay strong and healthy. But what is the best way to strengthen the skin without clogging it up with toxins? Many lotions on the market are filled with chemicals that are not desirable to have absorbed into the body. A simple recipe for lavender oil lotion can be a natural and economical solution.

Basic Lavender Oil Lotion Recipe

Only two ingredients are needed: pure therapeutic grade lavender essential oil and any pure vegetable oil. Simply put a few drops of the pure vegetable oil in the palm of your hand. Then add a single drop of lavender essential oil. Mix these two ingredients together with a finger. Finally, apply topically to the stressed skin.

Pre-mixed Recipe

For a convenient way to carry your lavender oil lotion with you all day, pre-mix it in a small glass bottle. Almost fill a one or two ounce glass bottle with the pure vegetable oil. Then add 15-20 drops of lavender essential oil. Shake bottle to mix thoroughly. Carry in your pocket, purse or briefcase and apply as needed throughout the day.

Lavender Oil Healing Properties

Lavender essential oil has many healing properties that will help nourish the skin. It has antiseptic properties which will help prevent infection in damaged skin. It can be used to support many skin conditions such as sunburn, rashes, dryness, cuts, burns, and insect bites. It also helps with cell renewal and minimizes scarring as the skin repairs.

The pure vegetable oil will act as a moisturizer for the skin as it rebuilds. It also acts as a carrier for the lavender essential oil to spread more evenly when applied. Some quality vegetable oils to be used are extra-virgin olive oil, sweet almond oil, grape seed oil and macadamia oil. There are also some good vegetable oil blends on the market for therapeutic uses. The one I prefer is called V-6 Enhanced Vegetable oil Complex.

When using any essential oil, including lavender, for health and healing purposes, be certain it is a pure therapeutic grade oil. Pure oils should be carefully steam distilled from organically grown plant material. oils that are synthetic or diluted with other substances may still smell nice, but they won't have the same healing properties as pure therapeutic grade essential oils.

Combining the healing properties of lavender essential oil with pure vegetable oil is a simple and economical way to support your skin as it strengthens and heals. Enjoy the benefits of using natural, pure ingredients in your home mixed lavender oil lotion.