Herbal Magick: Lavender
Photo by: Léonard Cotte | @ettocl
Lavender definitely tops the list when it comes to my favorite herbs. For the last decade or so, lavender has played a huge role in mine and my families life, as the focal point in my mom’s all natural laundry soap and cleaning supply company- The Old White House. So, I learned a great deal about this beautiful herb from her, and helping out at markets and shows. I always knew it smelled incredible, but damn…this baby’s got some real healing powers.
Aside from the beautifully deep floral aroma it gives off, the versatility of lavender is what really draws me in. It can be used in aromatherapy, cooking, cleaning, skincare, and so much more. Plus, it pairs so well with so many other herbs and flowers, such as mint, citrus, sweet, and spicy.
Photo by: Naomi Ellsworth | @naomi_ruth
Lavender is a perennial herb, native to countries bordering the Mediterranean, and is a part of the mint family. There are 450(!) varieties of lavender that are categorized into 45 different species. Some of the most popular include English, French and Spanish.
The name lavender comes from the Latin word “lavare,” which means “to wash.” A very fitting name, considering its natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial properties. Not only does it help calm you during a deep clean, but it's actually putting the work in!
These magickal benefits don’t just come in handy when cleaning your space, but also in your skincare- which is why I use it in quite a few of our Earth Goddess Botanical’s products! Our line of Flora skincare products all feature lavender, specifically pure therapeutic grade French Grosso Lavender, and are specially formulated for normal to oily, acne-prone skin. Not only does it help to cleanse the skin, and eliminate unwanted bacteria, lavender is also a natural anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce inflammation caused by acne & breakouts.
When most people think of lavender, they think of its relaxation effects, which it definitely has. Lavender has been used in aromatherapy, spiritual practices and in holistic medicine for thousands of years due to it’s calming, cleansing, and balancing properties. It is thought to be a natural anti-depressant and to help promote emotional balance, with its soothing and relaxing aroma. You can find lavender in a lot of natural sleep-aids for just this reason. My mission to make products that benefit your mind, body, and soul has led to two of my absolute favorites, Trance Aromatherapy Mist and Trance Milk Bath, both feature a blend of lavender and chamomile, to relax your body and mind, and promote a restful night’s sleep. Lavender's ability to calm your mind and body makes it perfect for a nighttime soak in the tub and linen spray. If you’re someone with high anxiety (like me) who struggles with a restless mind and legs, our Sleep Easy Spray is a great addition to your nightly routine, the blend of pure magnesium and aloe is complement by the subtle and soothing scent of lavender and chamomile, to help ease muscle aches and spasms, and put your mind to rest.
Lavender isn’t just reserved for nighttime rituals and sleep-aids though, it’s also a wonderful element to bring into your meditation and yoga practices, or just to ease your mind during a stressful day at work. Whether you spritz yourself with a little Flora perfume, spray down your mat with Trance, or use one of our gorgeous Moon Phase Eye Pillows filled with Washington grown lavender and hand-sewn and stamped by The Old White House, you’ll be feeling the magick for the rest of the day.
In spiritual practices, lavender is thought to bring protection and purification to a space, and can be used in multiple ways. You can burn lavender, along with sage, for a smoke cleansing in your sacred space, to clear the air of negative energies. I recommend checking out these gorgeous lavender and sage wands from Emerald Hearth. You can also purchase bunches of lavender, like these from Parwell Farms, and hang them in the corners of your house for cleansing, purification, releasing negative energies, and bringing peace and balance.
There are a million ways to use lavender, what’re your favorite ways to incorporate this gorgeous herb into your daily rituals? Let us know in the comments!