My fave ways to use lavender around my home

Lavender essential oil smells oh so good!

But it doesn't just smell good, it's a very useful oil.

But first things first... what is an essential oil?

It's actually an oil that comes from a plant like an herb, lavender or basil; a fruit  an orange or lemon; or even a bean like coffee beans. The oil is extracted from the plant. 

A little background on lavender essential oil

The Romans used to add lavender to their bathwater. In fact, our word lavender comes from the Latin  "lavare," which means "to wash."

The essential oil is steam distilled from the buds or flowers of the lavender plant.

There are several types of lavender essential oil: French, South African and Bulgarian are a few that I am familiar with. 

Both French and Bulgarian lavender has a sweeter, more floral scent; South African lavender has a more like a camphorous scent. 

Something to note: there are many factors that determine the scent of a particular lavender essential oil: origin, weather, soil conditions, precipitation and temperature...just to name a few. 

My fave ways to use Lavender EO around my home

1. Put 1-2  drops your bathtub for a relaxing bath. Add a handful of epsom salts and you've got yourself a relaxing and detoxing ritual!
2. Make a simple all purpose spray cleaner.
                What you'll need:
                       spray bottle
                       distilled water
                       5-10 drops of lavender essential oil
3. Put 3-5 drops of in the bottom of your dishwasher. Lavender will be diffused throughout your kitchen during the dry cycle! 
4. Apply 1 drop directly to a mosquito bite to help relieve itching
5. Apply 1 drop directly to a burn on your skin.