lavender water on bed linens after the laundry is done, spray it in bathrooms, or anywhere where the air needs to be freshened.
As I searched on the internet for suggestion proportions, I came across one that simply said that to make lavender water just pour 5 ounces of water into a small spray bottle.
Lavender essential oil and an empty bottle.
Next, add 5 drops of lavender essential oil to the water. (Note: if the spray bottle is larger than five ounces, use 5 drops of essential oil for every 5 ounces of water.)
Adding five drops of lavender essential oil to the water.
The spray is simple to make, and smells so good. Perhaps it is the simplicity of the single essential oil...one of my favorite ones...that is so refreshing. When I sprayed it upstairs in the hall and in Olivia's room, her first comment was, "Mmmmmm......it smells so nice!"
Personal Note: Do not add fresh and/or organic lavender sprigs. They will turn the water brown and cloudy. So, however pretty the images are on the internet that shows a sprig of lavender in a glass bottle tied with a ribbon, it won't work. In a couple of days, the water will be unattractive and far from clear.
Curious as to the benefits of lavender, I looked at three websites: Netherfield, Young Living, and Mind Body Green:
=> Become more calm
Rub 2-3 drops of lavender oil in your cupped palms, then use the inhalation method to to calm the mind. Then, rub on the wrists, temples, or feet.
=> Help dry or chapped skin
Rub lavender oil on dry or chapped skin.
=> Fix chapped or sunburned lips
Rub a drop of lavender oil on chapped or sunburned lips.
=> Help with sleep and insomnia
Interestingly, elderly psychiatric patients have been shown to sleep better and be more alert during the day when their sleep medication is replaced with lavender oil either dropped on their pillows, or placed in a diffuser on the ward.
To help to induce sleep, put 3 or 4 drops of lavender oil on your pillow. For babies, add 1 drop of lavender oil and geranium oil in carrier oil and massage into a babies back or a few drops in their bedtime bath.
Olivia sound asleep on a trip, holding her stuffed puppy.
Not sure why she took a dollar out of her purse.
(Taken in September 2008.)
=> Stop a nosebleed
To stop a nosebleed, put a drop of lavender oil on a tissue and wrap it around a small chip of ice. Push the tissue covered ice chip up under the middle of the top lip to the base of the nose and hold as long as comfortable or until the bleeding stops (do not freeze the lip or gum).
=> Help fight acne
Lavender is one of the most valuable oils for the treatment of acne, according to aromatherapists. It inhibits the bacteria that cause the skin infection, helps to re-balance the over-secretion of sebum (which the bacteria thrive on) and reduce scarring. Add a few drops of lavender oil to a plain cream and use as a moisturizer or cleanser.
=> Get relief from a bee sting or insect bite
Put a drop of essential oil on a bee sting or insect bite to stop itching and reduce any swelling.
=> Help a minor burn
Put 2-3 drops lavender oil on a minor burn to decrease pain. If you put the oil right after you burn yourself, the redness, swelling, or pain should disappear. There should be no sign of any harm.
=> Relieve an earache
Warm a bottle of lavender oil in hot water for a minute or two, then gently massage a few drops into the skin around the ears and throat. For babies and small children, add 2-3 drops of the warmed oil to a little olive oil and massage in the same way.
Sophia and Olivia doing an experiment with their ears and sound.
(Taken September 2009.)
=> Deal with cuts and scrapes
Drop lavender oil on a cut to stop the bleeding, clean the wound, and kill any bacteria.
=> Provide relief for eczema / Dermatitis
Mix several drops of lavender oil with a nut or vegetable mixing oil (e.g., coconut, sesame) into dry, itchy skin, and use topically on eczema and dermatitis.
=> Deal with nausea or motion sickness
To alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness, place a drop of lavender oil on the end of the tongue, behind the ears, or around the navel.
=> Deodorize and freshen laundry
Place a few drops of lavender essential oil on a wet cloth or dryer sheet to deodorize and freshen your laundry.
An Amish home in Harmony, Minnesota,
with laundry drying on the line
(Taken in August 2012.)
=> Boost the flavor of food
Add a few drops of lavender to any recipe you want to the enhance (e.g., cookies, brownies, bars, water, tea, dessert recipes, salad dressings).
=> Repel moths and insects
Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a cotton ball and place it in closets and drawers to scent linens and repel moths and insects.
=> Get relief from hay fever
Rub a drop of lavender oil between your palms and inhale deeply to help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.
=> Eliminate dandruff
Rub several drops of lavender oil into the scalp to help eliminate dandruff.
=> Relieve aching muscles
Take a lavender bath to soothe aches and pains away. Put some Epsom salts and a few drops of lavender oil into the bath water and soak away the tension.
Olivia and Sophia rock climbing.
Climbing is a great way to use muscles that you normally don't use.
Climbing is a great way to use muscles that you normally don't use.
(Taken in June 2012.)
=> Get rid of cold sores
Put a drop of lavender oil on a cold sore.
=> Minimize the appearance of scar tissue
You may be able to minimize the appearance of scar tissue by massaging lavender essential oil on or around affected areas.
=> Relieve a headache
Mist around your head with lavender water for a refreshing and soothing sensation. Alternatively, make a compress of a piece of fabric or muslin soaked in icy cold water then sprinkled with a few drops of lavender oil. Apply this to your forehead, or massage a few drops into the forehead, temples, and nape of the neck.
Add 5 drops of lavender oil to a hot foot bath and relax while your feet soak in it. The soles of the feet are particularly porous, so lavender reaches your bloodstream very quickly, exerting its stimulating and soothing effects on various systems of your body.
=> Help with a fever
For babies or small children, sponge them down very gently with tepid water to which you have added a drop of lavender oil. Take care not to let them get chilled. This works for adults too.
=> Make it through a long travel day
Combine lavender, rosemary, neroli, frankincense, and clary sage. Put on your pulse points to help you keep a clear head during those endless hours in the air or on the road.
Traveling with my Dad to Colorado to visit his brother.
(Taken in July 2010.)
=> Relieve sinusitis
Lavender is one of several essential oils that aromatherapists recommend for inhalations to relieve sinusitis. Add two drops of lavender and thyme oil to a bowl of near-steaming water and inhale slowly and deeply, with a towel over your head and bowl.
=> Get comfort from menstrual cramps
Massage a few drops of lavender oil into your lower abdomen or apply a hot compress onto the area, which a little lavender oil has been sprinkled.
=> Get comfort for sunburn
Spray pure lavender water directly onto your skin. Alternatively, add 8 drops of lavender oil and 4 drops of peppermint oil to a teaspoon of jojoba oil. Pour it into a cool-to-lukewarm bath and soak for ten minutes.
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