**In this post we’re going to be talking about all things Lavender**

*Then at the end I’m going to be sharing a formulation for a cooling, lavender cocoa butter face cream.*

Lavandula Angustifolia with

Cooling Cocoa Lavender Face Cream Formulation

This post may contain links but they are not affiliate links. I am not in any sort of affiliate program at this time. They are links to things I actually use

Sometimes when we start to work with herbal allies learning to make different preparations we can get caught up with all these fancy & foreign options. I have been guilty of this myself. thinking that the rareness of a plant meant something. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t.

But you see the botanical kingdom is patiently waiting for us to begin a reciprocal relationship of learning & healing through sharing their knowledge to those who have ears to listen, eyes to see & a heart that desires to know.

It doesn't care how we show up as long as we’re trying.

All things sparkly begin to fade & we are left with a certain humility that I’ve noticed plants hold. They accept us how we are, so the time has come to ask ourselves, do we accept them for how they are?

Do we need the rarest of all plants to be the one to step forward? What if all we needed was to see what was already before us just trying to get our attention?

I’ve had a similar relationship with lavender, but that was until I got to know her. It wasn’t until I was prepared to sit in her humble energy with a desire to learn from this new teacher. She was showing up in my dreams & thoughts from time to time, until I was ready to listen.

Let’s talk about Lavender & see what medicine she wants to share with us today, then we will get to our featured recipe!

General Information:

Name: Lavender

Latin Name: Lavandula angustifolia

Common names: Lavendula, lavender, lavandin

Family: Lamiaceae

Parts used: Flowers, leaves

Taste:

Bitter: this taste generally has an affinity for the digestive system, liver, gallbladder, pancreas. They typically stimulate bile production & secretion, gastric secretions & pancreatic enzymes. They tend to be cooling & drying helping to drain excessive fluid & dampness
Pungent: this taste has a general affinity for cardiovascular system, digestive system, respiratory system & nervous system. These are typically our kitchen herbs that are spicy which is an indication of the presence of essential oils. They tend to be warming & stimulating to the tissues & organs of the body

Herbal Actions & Bodily Affinities:

Nervous System affinity: Any herb working on this system has a primary function of neural regulation by working on the brain & nerves

High levels of this essential oil have a profound effect on the Central Nervous system & the enteric (digestive nervous system), helping to sedate as well as having some spasmolytic actions.
Helps to tone & strengthen the nervous system & its through this particular action that can help clear anxiety, depression as well as insomnia, hypertension, indigestion & tension headaches. Toning of the nervous system helps restore the nerves
It is an effective herb to use on children or the elderly helping to promote more restful sleep & preventing frequent waking
It is specifically indicated for anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress, insomnia & all other forms of stress or nervous exhaustion

Nervine properties: There has been a study showing that lavender oil was just as effective as lorazepam with no side effects

Can be used to help treat restlessness, nervousness, depression & insomnia
If you are wanting to address a headache consider adding peppermint & eucalyptus essential oils on a compress for the forehead & it may provide you with the relief you’re looking for if you are wanting to avoid things like nsaids (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug class)
Sedative when used as a tea or in aromatherapy helping to move the nervous system into a parasympathetic (rest & digest) state
Considered to be an exhilarant meaning it can help lift you out of a stagnant emotional state as well as anxiolytic meaning it can help relieve & prevent symptoms of anxiety

Digestive system affinity: Any herb working on this system has a primary function of digestion, assimilation & or elimination by working on the stomach, small intestine, large interesting & pancreas & on the muscle, mucosa, lymphatic, nerve

Many symptoms of stress will manifest in the digestive tract, nausea, bloating & indigestion. The essential oil content may help move this congestion through stimulating the digestive process (remember it does have a bitter taste) as well as calming the enteric nervous system
May help lower lipid & cholesterol levels
Carminative action when taken internally as lavender can stimulate blood flow to the GI tract
Cholagogue properties: helping to stimulate the liver to produce bile. This actions helps the body in the digestion of fats & oils
Anticatarrhal effects: helping to break up mucus in the throat & stomach

Musculoskeletal affinity: Any herb working on this system has a primary function of bodily structure support by working on the muscle, bone or connective tissue

Helping to address the chronic pain that is often associated with depression, anxiety & sleep deprivation
It may also be a treatment for the pain associated with the shingles virus

Cardiovascular affinity: Any herb working on this system has a primary function of circulation through the heart & through the muscle, nerve, blood & plasma

It is considered to be cardioprotective as it can help strengthen the mitochondrial membrane helping to maintain the cell structure thereby alleviating cardiac tissue damage. This action is due to a regulation of inflammation & oxidative stress

Respiratory system affinity: Any herb working on this system has a primary function of respiration via the lungs & through the muscle, mucosa & nerve

Inhaling essential oil of Lavender can have a relaxing effect on the lungs & may help open up the constriction caused by asthma. It is not a replacement for to use in an emergency situation, but it may be a temporary option

Skin affinity with antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, vulnerary & inflammation modulating actions: when applied externally it has the ability to help, heal & protect the body from wounds, bruises & burns

Skin inflammations benefit greatly from the application of lavender as lavender can help address pain by modulating the inflammation
When applied to burns & wounds it can rapidly heal the skin
When applied to the gums it may help with gingivitis
When applied to ulcers or canker sore it may help clear them out
It has also been shown that a strong oil, infusion or tincture can be applied to eczema, acne, varicose ulcers, minor infections, scabies, styes, inscent bites, stings, head lice, gout & arthritic pain as well as shingles can all be address
It can be added to baths to ease muscle tension & spasm after childbirth, applied on the chest & inhaled for a treatment of chest infections, coughs & colds.
A tea or tincture diluted & used as a gargle can help with sore throats, tonsillitis, & hoarseness as well as being a mouthwash for mouth ulcers, inflamed & infected gums
Can be used as a rubefacient when applied directly to the skin as it can help stimulate blood flow to the area helping to create redness & warmth.

Analgesic: applying lavender directly to the skin can help relieve pain

Vulnerary: helping to heal wounds throughout the digestive tract, especially the intestines as well as topically when applied to the skin

Nootropic: it can enhance emotional & mental wellbeing while simultaneously promoting cerebral circulation. Nootropics are a category of plants that help protect the brain, improve cognitive function as well as overall mood

Could be a treatment for chronic degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s & Dementia as well as head trauma or injury as the high antioxidant content can help protect against further degradation

Anticancer potential: it may help prevent the development of certain types of cancer such as prostate, lung, cervix, colon & breast
Antioxidant effects: the highest concentrations of antioxidants are found in the flowers, buds & stems
Emmenagogue: has the ability to stimulate menses & should be avoided in pregnancy

**Nutritional Content:**

½ cup of lavender flowers (113g)

Signature:

The blue color suggests that some spasmolytic effects
Square stem is a nerve signature by Europeans & Native Americans
Spider medicine: long leggy medicines that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system

Learn more about the Doctrine of Signatures in the following posts HERE, HERE & HERE

Magickal correspondence:

Sipping lavender water was said to bring you dreams & visions of your true love
Adding lavender to bath water can help drive evil spirits out of children
Hanging a bundle of lavender above the door is said to keep evil spirits & harmful intentions out of your home
Wearing sprigs of lavender can ward off evil spirits
Adding 13 drops of lavender essential oil when washing the floor can add protection to your home

Energetics:

Cooling/Warming
Drying
Relaxing

Contraindications & precautions:

Avoid during pregnancy & breastfeeding
Never use the essential oil internally
Use the oil with caution of you have low blood pressure

Phytochemistry/Active Constituents

Volatile oil: 0.5-1.5%
Tannins
Flavonoids
Coumarins
Phytosterols
Triterpenes

Check out this post on Menstruum Basics to ensure you are choosing the appropriate menstruum for your herbal preparations.

Common Preparations & Dosages

Tincture [1:2] 60%, 2-5 ml
Dried flower: 1-2 g

Pillow or sachet

Capsules
Infusion: 1 tsp/cup infused for 15 minutes
Aromatherapy
Essential oil:

Inhalant - steam or inhaler
Massage oil - diluted in a carrier oil 1-2% essential oil to 1 oz carrier oil

Bath: 100g infused & strained into the bath
Culinary uses

Solubility:

Water
Alcohol
Acetic acid
Glycerin

Channeled message:

“It is just time to chill out. You have carried so much of the world on your shoulders. It is time to put it down. Nobody asked you to carry it for so long. Let’s relax & have fun”
- Channeled by Angela

To learn how to communicate with plants to get your own message check out this post HERE

Additional notes:

A lot of the medicinal benefits of lavender can be gained just by using it as an aromatherapy treatment. Lavender essential oil can help stimulate the brain's limbic system. The limbic system plays a crucial role in regulating emotions, behaviors, memory & motivation
The name Lavender is derived from the Latin word “lavare” which means to wash. Back in the Elizabethan & Victorian times Lavender was used to perfume clothes & linens when washing & bathing weren’t so common of practices
Fresh & dried herb spread across the floor in homes could deter pests such as mice, flies & mosquitoes

Ruling Planet:

Mercury

Ruling Element:

Air

Lavandula Angustifolia with

Cooling Cocoa Lavender Face Cream Formulation

As you can see Lavender has some amazing properties that we can utilize that touches most of our systems as well as having some skin affinities that I like to include in some of my skin care products.

Here is a beautiful, skin cooling facial moisturizer you can easily make at home.

Image of cooling Lavender Cocoa Butter Facial Moisturizer

Remember any formulations shared on this blog are for personal use only. They have not been stability tested or formulated for resale.

All formulations are written in percentages so that you will be able to easily upscale or downscale the amount to meet your needs. When made as written it will make a 100g batch of product.

Equipment:

Digital scale
2 heat proof bowls
1 small weigh boat or container for measuring
Whisks
Spatula
Immersion blender
Thermometer

Ingredients:

Phase A- Heated Oil Phase

5% Emulsifying Wax NF

2% Cetyl Alcohol

7% Sunflower Oil infused with Horsetail, Hibiscus & Lavender see notes

3% Fractionated Coconut Oil

5% Cocoa Butter

Phase B- Heated Water Phase

40.5% Distilled Water

25% Lavender Hydrosol

5% Peppermint Floral Water

4% Propanediol 1,3

0.4% Allantoin powder

Phase C- Cool Down Phase

1.1% TRIstat PCG90

1% Lavender Extract

1% Vitamin E

Instructions:

Weigh phase A into a heatproof beaker or bowl
Weigh phase B into a heatproof beaker or bowl
Weigh phase C into a weigh boat & set aside
Heat phase A & phase B simultaneously until they reach 70-80C
Remove from heat & pour phase A into phase B, stick blend until homogenous
Place in the fridge to cool, stirring occasionally
Remove product from the fridge when the entire mixture is below 40C
Add phase C, stirring thoroughly to ensure the entire product is mixed
Product will reach full viscosity after 24 hours, package then & enjoy!

Substitutions & recommendations:

Substitute the butter for a different butter
Substitute the oil for different oil
Substitute the hydrosol or floral water with another hydrosol. Omitting the peppermint will omit the cooling sensation
Omit the hydrosol or floral water & add more distilled water
Substitute the propanediol 1,3 for a different humectant
Add essential oils following the IFRA recommendations. Add all essential oils to phase C. Subtract the amount used from one of the oils.
Switch out the lavender extract for another extract
To make the infused oil: 7 g Lavender, 7 g Hibiscus, 7 g Horsetail infused in 14 fluid oz sunflower oil. If using an herbal infusion machine, infuse for 1 hour @ 180F. Otherwise you can make infused oils by folk method allowing the herbs to sit in the oil for 4-6 weeks shaking the jar daily or via double boiler allowing the herbs to gently simmer in the oil for 2-3 hours

Comment down below & let me know what is your favorite way to work with Lavender?