The Many Versatile Uses Of The Lavender Plant

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE SWEET AND FLORAL LAVENDER PLANT

The lavender plant and the essential oil produced from it’s sweet, vibrant flowers is one of the most well-researched, well-recognized and versatile essential oils in aromatherapy today. At Saje, we use what is commonly referred to as True Lavender, or English Lavender, the Latin name of which is called Lavandula angustifolia. The lavender plant is cultivated throughout Europe and other parts of the world, specifically for the essential oil it produces that is sweet, light, fresh, floral and herbal.

In her book “Essential Oils: A Comprehensive Handbook For Aromatic Therapy,” author Jennifer Peace Rhind writes, “Lavender has been associated with health, cleansing and hygiene since early times - even its name comes from the Latin word ‘lavare’ - to wash. With such an impressive reputation, it is hardly surprising that lavender was one of the first essential oils to be investigated in relation to its therapeutic properties - especially its effects on the psyche”.

Because the lavender plant is so well-known for the way in which it positively impacts both the body and mind, this versatile essential oil is included in many product formulations here at Saje; read on to learn more about some of them!

USE THE LAVENDER PLANT TO HELP RELIEVE STRESS

The lavender plant is probably best known for its soothing, calming and peace-inducing properties. When we think of the sweet, floral scent of lavender, it almost immediately makes us feel less stressed and more at ease. Lavender is commonly blended with other essential oils known to support feeling calm, like chamomile and orange, to enhance the aromatic experience of de-stressing.

Lavender products we love to relieve stress:

Stress Release bath salt soak: what better way to ground and center the body and mind than a warm and soothing bath. These bath salts are formulated with naturally derived sea and epsom salts, which are then saturated with the easing and relieving essential oils of lavender, geranium, vetiver and clary sage. Our best recommendation is to fill the tub, add 1 tablespoon of salts and swish in the water as you’re about to enter the tub. Soak for up to 30 minutes to experience the full benefits of this stress relieving formula.

Stress Release diffuser blend: lavender is also the star of the show in this tension-easing blend designed to help provide an aromatic experience that supports a sense of balance and evokes feelings of calm. By adding this diffuser blend to any room in your home, you can bring peace and calm with you wherever you go. Orange is known to help uplift the mood, clary sage is commonly described as euphoric, helping to bring stillness to the mind and roman chamomile helps relieve restlessness. Add 8-10 drops to a diffuser of your choice and breathe a sigh of relief.

Stress Release roll-on: reach for this de-stressing and grounding essential oil blend any time you’re looking for relief from feelings of stress and you’re wanting to calm the spirit. Let the soothing, calming and balancing properties of floral, herbal and citrus essential oils like lavender, orange and clary sage help bring you back down to earth. Try rolling along the back of the neck and over the shoulders anytime you’re feeling wound up.

USE THE LAVENDER PLANT IN YOUR BODY CARE ROUTINES

Because the lavender plant is so well regarded for its use in skin and body care products to support personal hygiene, we’ve included it as a key ingredient in our line of products called Lavender & Friends. The two products we’re sharing about today, foaming hand soap and body lotion, are sure to become staples in your daily routine.

Lavender products we love for the hands & body:

Lavender & Friends foaming hand soap: our foaming hand soaps are popular at-home products for a couple of reasons. First, they’re formulated entirely without preservatives or artificial fragrances, relying solely on essential oil and plant-derived ingredients for their fresh, natural scent. Secondly, they are absent of alcohol, which means that even with frequent hand washing, your skin will stay hydrated and supple. Lavender & Friends is a calming blend of lavender, geranium and clary sage for a soothing and balanced experience each time you scrub up at the sink.

Lavender & Friends body lotion: the ultra relaxing combination of lavender, geranium and clary sage is also available as a popular hand & body lotion, helping to provide long lasting hydration to depleted skin. The skin’s natural moisture balance is restored with gentle and soothing aloe, shea nut oil and vitamin E, helping to keep skin feeling softened and renewed.

USE THE LAVENDER PLANT AS PART OF YOUR WIND DOWN ROUTINE

Another common way that the lavender plant has been traditionally used is to support deep rest and relaxation at bedtime. Because lavender has the ability to be so soothing and to help us feel calm and at ease, it makes sense that it would be included in products that are formulated specifically for helping us drift off to dreamland.

Lavender products we love to help us catch some zzz’s:

Sleep Well body butter: this popular body butter was formulated for two main reasons; to support healthy, hydrated and nourished skin and to help both the body and mind wind down in the evening time. We specifically love applying this rich and smoothing combination of shea, cocoa seed and mango seed butters after a bath or shower in the evening, allowing the combination of essential oils like valerian, prized for its ability to induce rest, neroli to help ease a busy mind and lavender to help us feel calm and supported. Apply to skin before bedtime as desired and breathe deeply to feel relaxed.

Unwind roll-on: release pent up emotions and enter a state of calm with this balancing and grounding roll-on that will help you let go of the day. Encouraging both the body and the mind to wind down means we are more likely to take mindful, intentional breaths and be able to recognize uneasy feelings we can use this roll-on to address. Ease stress and take it easy with uplifting orange, soothing lavender and comforting cinnamon, applied to areas like the jawline, temples and pulse points in the evening.

Sleep Well mist: for those who like to invest in their nighttime routine, a mist is a welcome addition. We like to use our mists to spritz over our pillows, sheets and blankets just before we’re about to climb into bed, to help not only set the tone for rest but for a pleasing aromatic experience that our body then equates with beginning to wind down. Blended with some of the same essential oils as Sleep Well body butter like lavender, valerian, marjoram and vetiver, this soothing mist will help you feel rested in no time. Shake well and spritz 3-5 times over the head, breathing deeply before bedtime.

USE THE LAVENDER PLANT TO HELP YOUR HOME SMELL FRESH AND FLORAL

One of our very favorite ways to use the lavender plant is in an essential oil blend specifically formulated for our diffusers, called diffuser blends. Diffuser blends can include anywhere from 3-7+ different essential oils that have been expertly blended and carefully selected to help us achieve a desired state. Because of the versatility of the lavender plant, it’s often included in a variety of different diffuser blends, thought to help benefit us in many different ways.

Lavender products we love for our diffusers:

Aroma Fairy diffuser blend: this gentle and soothing blend was formulated specifically for children, however its harmonizing and calming properties can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Balancing lavender meets sweet and uplifting orange alongside warming and grounding marjoram for creating a relaxed and peaceful environment. Add 1-5 drops for a children’s diffuser and 10-15 drops for an adult’s diffuser as desired or according to preference.

Refresh diffuser blend: for an experience that is quite the opposite of calming, we’re introducing our revitalizing, uplifting and naturally boosting blend called Refresh. Blended with stimulating notes of fresh, sweet spearmint and zesty and citrusy lemon, this pick-me-up is rounded out by softer notes of lavender and cedarwood for a cleansing and odor-neutralizing experience. Try 10-15 drops in your favorite diffuser placed in the bathroom or kitchen for a fresh perspective.

Deep Breath diffuser blend: a fan favorite for encouraging deep, cleansing, clearing and refreshing breaths, just like the name suggests. This blend marries light and fresh lavender with herbal and soothing eucalyptus and stimulating and uplifting peppermint for a truly unique sensory experience. We love diffusing 10-15 drops first thing in the morning to help set the tone for a calm and peaceful day.

LIFESTYLE TIPS FOR USING THE LAVENDER PLANT IN YOUR HOME

Not only is the lavender plant so versatile because of its many uses as an essential oil in aromatherapy, it’s the flowers themselves that are prized for a number of reasons. We’re sharing three of the lesser-known ways you can enjoy the scents and tastes of the sweet and floral lavender plant:

1. Lavender Tea. Many reputable tea companies offer a lavender-scented tea, formulated using the fragrant and vibrant purple buds of the lavender plant. This warm and soothing drink is thought to calm the nerves and ease stress while being balancing for the mind and the body.
2. Dried floral arrangements. The gorgeous purple color and the unique shape of the flowers make having dried lavender sprigs in your home a sight to behold. Not only do they provide a fragrant boost to your space, they provide an aesthetic one as well.
3. Baking and pastries. Definitely the most underrated of uses for the lavender plant, using the dried flower buds in baking and pastries makes for quite tasty snacks. Lavender is commonly included in shortbread, cakes and even ice cream. The lavender plant is unique in that almost all parts, including the buds, stems and leaves can be used in cooking and baking, so go ahead and get creative!

—Jennifer Peace Rhind