It’s Monday!
Happy Monday, y’all! I don’t know about you but I actually really like Mondays! Or at least the idea of them. There is just something about the fresh start to the new week that I love. I feel I can get my to do list together and start knocking things out. In reality, it rarely happens that I actually accomplish most of my list, but for me it’s always fun and exciting to think of all that I’m going to accomplish anyway.
I thought Monday’s would be fun to do an Oil of the Week post where I talk about an essential oil, some of the most popular ways to use them and maybe even a project with it.
Lavender
Today I’m going to focus on lavender. Lavender is one of the most popular and gentle oils there is out there. The oil is distilled from the lavender plant (Lavandula angustifoia). The plant is an evergreen that has these amazingly beautiful and fragrant lavender bulbs.
I wanted to start with lavender because lavender is sort of a starter oil for a lot of people. Because of its many and gentle uses, people tend to gravitate to it. Lavender is a very calming oil. As such, people commonly use it for sleep issues and relaxation. Around here, we love to diffuse it with cedar wood oil for awesome sleep. I also add it to the roller blend that I apply to the kids every night. The kids love it and even request it if I forget to apply it.
Relax
Not everyone is as happy about Mondays as I am, and even stress about the start of the new week. I get it, I do! That used to be me! So if that’s you, try diffusing lavender and Stress Away essential oils together for a spa like relaxing aroma.
After the kids go to bed, I love to fill my bath tub with warm water and add lavender Epsom salts. I take a cup of Epsom salts and add a few drops of lavender essential oil and then pour that in the bath water. Viola! Such an easy way to get a super relaxing bath.
Don’t have time for that? You can add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a small spray bottle with water and witch hazel and spritz it on your sheets. It really helps me to calm my mind at night and get a great nights sleep.
Seasonal Support
I also love using Lavender oil for seasonal discomforts. At first, I wasn’t sure about this one. But you can combine lavender oil, peppermint oil, and lemon oil and either put them in a roller bottle with a carrier and apply to the bottoms of your feet, back of neck, behind your ears (different spots work) or even put two drops of each in a capsule and fill the rest of the way with a carrier oil and take daily as needed. My husband really enjoys this.
Lotion Bars
My kids got these molds for Christmas last year to make magnets for friends. I was trying to think of something else to do with them and thought lotion bars! These are awesome because they are not only pretty and have the benefits of lavender oil but they are super easy to make. I bet these would make great gifts as well. Just a tip tho, if its warm out you may want to keep them in the fridge because the coconut oil can turn to liquid in the warm temperatures and if that starts to happen they will get kind of mushy.
How I did it:
¾ C. beeswax 
1 C. coconut oil
8 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Heat up the beeswax and coconut oil until beeswax is melted. I used a glass bowl in the microwave and it took about 4 minutes for it to completely melt.
Add essential oil and stir in
Place lavender at the bottom of the molds (I used these and these) and then pour in the beeswax and coconut mixture. You will need to move kind of fast because it does start to set. You will know it has set all the way because it will no longer be translucent.
I let mine sit while I went to pick up the kids from school and when I got home I just popped them right out of the molds.
I can’t wait to hand these out. They are so pretty and smell so good!
A Few More Great Uses For Lavender
🙂 Add a drop to a new bottle of mascara and watch what happens to your lashes over time! It’s like magic lol!
🙂 Soothe minor skin discomforts by adding a drop to the irritated area (normally you don’t need to dilute Lavender, but I suggest diluting for small children until you know how they will respond to it)
🙂 Add to your daily face moisturizer or body lotion for healthy looking skin
🙂 Put a few drops on your wool dryer balls to give your clothes a great light scent.
🙂 Add a few drops to an unscented massage oil or make your own, for an amazing relaxing massage that also is awesome for your skin
🙂 Add a few drops to a homemade (or store bought) rice pack and stick it in the microwave for a comforting heat pack