Lavender To Lavender

Calming Lavender

Lavender is thought to have been first cultivated by the Arabians before spreading across Europe by the Romans.

This shrubby flowering bush native to the mountainous regions of the western Mediterranean is a useful sleep and insomnia aid.

Lavender was one of the first garden plants imported to Australia in the 19th century and was brought to North America by the Pilgrims.

It can be found in large quantities in the wild in a large number of places in the world.

It is also garden grown in sunny, well-drained areas, if possible in mildly alkaline soil.

English Lavender and French Lavender remain popular choices and you can buy dried Lavender in bulk. Each plant variety offers a unique lavender fragrance and scent.

If you prefer fresh Lavender growing lavender in your own garden is not difficult and may inspire you to try making lavender essential oils to use in bags, pillows, sachets, and baths.

Lavender recipes are available for lotion, mist, perfume, soap, shampoo, bath salts, cologne, water and linen spray. This also opens a new source of gift giving for you, presenting friends and family with your bath products or lavender potpourri or wreaths.

The smaller types of lavender will also grow quite easily in well-drained pots. This well-liked flowering herb’s essential oil has been shown to lower the central nervous system in a similar fashion to pharmaceutical tranquilizers.

Lavender is very helpful when utilized as a sleep aid. There are various ways that a person can make use of lavender.

It is possible to enjoy the flowers in a brewed Lavender tea, or the lavender may also be used in an essential oil distilled from the leaves, flowers and stems of the plant.

The lavender oil can be used topically to loosen the muscles or its fragrance can be inhaled to feel a soothing effect. When something is rubbed into our feet, our bodies will absorb it quickly.

Therefore, massaging lavender essential oil onto your feet is an exceptionally efficient method for application. Lavender is often used in aroma therapy treatments. It can become an addition to your bath water, placed in a vaporizer or even dribbled on a tissue so you can inhale it.

The essential oil leaves and flowers can also be easily used in a sachet underneath the pillow as a beneficial sleep aid.

Homemade Lavender Tea ~ Lavender Mint Tea (One serving)
Lavender To Lavender

Ingredients:
· 1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers (or 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender flowers)
· 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves (or 2 teaspoons dried mint)
· 1 cup boiling water
· Rosemary, lemon balm or lemon verbena, and rose geranium may also be added for an interesting multi-herb herbal tea.

Preparation:
In a teapot or saucepan combine the lavender flowers and mint (either loose or using a tea infuser). Pour boiling water over the mixture; steep 5 minutes. The infuser can then be taken out or the leaves removed with a strainer.

Homemade Lavender Sachet
Lavender To Lavender

You will need:
· Lavender plant (stems, leaves or buds)
· Lavender essential oil
· A handkerchief
· 2 needles (1 large to fit 1/4" ribbon and 1 regular size)
· Thread
· Ribbon (1/4" wide)
It should be easy to find all the necessary items listed above from your local craft or floral supply store. You may use lavender harvested from your own plants or order the lavender buds online.

Instructions:
1. Fold handkerchief in half, and then fold it in half again. You can iron the handkerchief for a crisper look, or simply leave it as is.
2. Now, sew three sides together using needle and thread (or a sewing machine).
3. Open the unsown side of the handkerchief and proceed to fill it (like a pillow) with lavender plant pieces and/or buds. Be sure to use a lot of plant material, but don’t stuff it too tight.
The end result will be a lot like a beanbag. Sprinkle the pieces with lavender essential oil. 8 to 10 drops should be more than enough.
4. Thread your large needle with 1/4" ribbon and loosely thread to keep the plant materials inside your homemade sachet.
5. Tie the whole thing off with a knot.
Enjoy. Lavender
Lavender A Natural Sleep Aid