November at Amazingy is all about the health benefits of different plants and herbs. With fall on its way out and winter approaching, we’d like to introduce you to some of the lesser known spices and herbs that aren’t just great in the kitchen, but can also be incorporated into your beauty routine. After all, true beauty comes from the inside out!
Lavender tends to reminds some us of our grandmother’s closet. There are, however, many healing effects lurking behind that nostalgic scent. Lavender oil is not only powerful in aromatherapy, but can also be used in many different beneficial ways to enhance your health and your beauty regiment. What’s more, the pretty lavender flower is a charming addition to any kitchen.
The lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia) is a relatively common shrub, particularly in the South of France. With its silver-haired branches and spike-like inflorescences, the lavender plants flowers exude a wonderfully fresh, herbal scent. Those who have been to the Provence or have travelled through Tuscany may have even wandered through one of the many lavender fields found there.
Lavender oil is the essential oil obtained from the lavender flowers, which is usually extracted by steam distillation. Olive oil is often used as a carrier oil in which the lavender flowers are soaked. However, there are clear differences in the quality of lavender being cultivated, depending on whether it’s wild lavender or if it originates from artisanal or industrial manufacturing.
The following varieties and qualities are distinguished:
Apart from Lavandula Angustifolia (which is considered to be the true lavender), Lavandula Latifolia (Spanish Spike lavender) and Lavandula Hybrida (also known as Lavandin lavender or hybrid lavender) are also used for the production of lavender oil. The so-called lavender oil Barrême (with a 52 percent ester content) and lavender oil Mont Blanc (with about a 40 percent ester content) are considered to be of the highest quality. When the essential oil is distilled out of of the hybrid lavender the result is lavandin oil (lavandin oil Abrialis or lavandin oil Grosso respectively). This variety is not quite as potent, and, consequently, a bit less sleep-inducing.
The main ingredient in lavender oil is linalyl acetate – the esterified form of linalool. Esters are, generally speaking, alcohol – acid compounds. Here, the percentage refers to the amount of aromatic compounds: The higher ester content, the higher the content of linalyl acetate, and, thus, the higher quality of the oil. When purchasing lavender oil, it’s definitely worth taking a look at the label to specifically check for the amount of lavender essence used in the product. Nowadays, lavender essential oil is used primarily as a fragrance. However, there is a reason that lavender oil was named the medicinal plant of 2008. In the pharmaceutical field, lavender has long been used as a botanical remedy to sooth restlessness and mild cases of insomnia.
It is relatively easy to produce lavender oil yourself. You only need two ingredients and a sealed container:
The mixture needs to be soaked for around four weeks in a warm, dark place, and be shaken regularly.
Once you’ve purchased or picked the lavender flowers, there are also many other great things you can use them for. One example is creating little scented sachets. Simply sow the flowers into two pieces of cotton to create a little cushion, which you can place near your bed for a good night’s rest. You can also easily create a room refresher by filling a spray bottle with water and a few drops of lavender oil. Spraying some of this mixture onto your pillow will make counting sheep a thing of the past.
According to folklore, lavender has been used as a medicine for centuries. In France, the flower was even used to fight against the Plague and tuberculosis. Even though some of the healing properties of lavender are not (yet) supported by clinical studies, it has been in use for hundreds of years as an effective herbal medicine, without causing any harm.
Application areas (internal and external):
Hildegard von Bingen, a German writer, composer, and philosopher who is known for her theological, botanical and medicinal texts written in the 11th century had some enlightening wisdom to share on the topic:
Real lavender is warm and dry, since it contains very little moisture. Even though it doesn’t have the purpose of being food, it does smell very strongly. Those who have a lot of lice should smell lavender often, since it kills the lice. In addition the scent of it also benefits clarity of the eyes.
Hildegard couldn’t have predicted the special culinary use of lavender blossoms. Traditional to the Mediterranean kitchen in flavoring stews, meats and sauces, Lavender is also commonly included in the herbal mixture Herbes de Provence. Now it is regaining popularity in the modern kitchen, particularly as a creative addition to desserts (for example: in sorbets, ice cream, or pastries).
Adding lavender can spice up even the most common foods and beverages:
For more homemade recipes, you can find both the sweet and the salty here.
Lavender used as a perfume is a classic. Of course, you should only perfume yourself with lavender in small doses to prevent smelling like an old English lady, or even worse, becoming an olfactory burden on others. If you appreciate a subtle scent of lavender, you could try using it as an exfoliating peel. All you need to do is mix some salt, olive oil, and a few drops of lavender oil and then rub the mixture gently onto your skin in the shower. The peeling improves blood circulation, removes old skin cells, and leaves the skin smelling with just a touch of lavender.
Due to its anti-bacterial properties, lavender flower water is also salutary as a facial tonic (e.g. from Kimberly Sayer) that can be applied after cleansing your skin. Because Lavender evens out redness and any kind of irritations it helps with skin conditions like rosazea. Blossom water sprays are exceptional in providing a nourishing freshness. Oily and blemish prone skin is optimally tamed by lavender flower water, as it refreshes the skin and while having no adverse effects. Simply spray on the face skin (over or under make-up) and let it dry.
The list of lavender’s advantages never ends. That’s why it is definitely worthwhile to pay a little more attention to labels to check if real lavender is being used. The flower’s health-promoting capabilities have been passed down for generations and have proven their healing effects time and time again. If you prefer to stay clear of synthetic drugs, fragrances and skin products, lavender just might be the thing for you.
*Translated to English by Csilla Liptai
Ruth is a friend to all walks of life and a language nerd. She studied linguistics and worked as a journalist, editor and translator. You'll find her geared up in regular 80's outfits, with her camera swung around her neck or hot on the keyboard translating. She seeks out true beauty amongst the mundane and finds nothing sexier than someone with good grammar.
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