Lavender scented water brings back fond memories. This is an
easy to make recipe for your own lavender oil.
My grandmother always had a bottle of lavender perfume or
scented water as it was called back then and every morning she would dab her
handkerchief with a few drops of it and then place the hankie under her watchband
on her wrist. Wherever she went, you could smell this heavenly aroma of
lavender. It is now more than 30 years that she passed on but in my mind’s eye,
I can still see this frail little woman with the heavenly scent follow her the
entire day.
Lavender is a well-known flower, famous for its aroma and
healing powers. It has the following benefits:
·
Anti-inflammatory
· Antiseptic
· Relaxing
· Soothing
· Aromatic
In the 19th Century, women of stature even used
lavender-scented ink to write letters. Even athletes can attest to the goodness
of a lavender massage before and after exercise, which helps to reduce muscle
ache and leave skin soft.
But back to its aromatic attributes; here is a recipe to
make your own lavender oil:
1. Remove enough
fresh lavender flowers from their stalks to fill one teacup and place it in a
glass bowl. (You can also use dried lavender flowers).
2. Add 500 ml olive oil to the flowers and cover the bowl.
Leave as is to infuse in a sunny place for at least two weeks. (You can also
use sweet almond oil.)
3. After the two weeks strain the mixture through
filter paper and bottle. (Should you need stronger oil you must repeat the
process using the already strained oil to infuse another cup of lavender
flowers.)
It is ready to use!
Daniel
