Make a hydrating and soothing lavender-scented body oil
Lavender is one of the most loved and cultivated plants in the world: this wonderful species is easy to care for, grows fast, promotes the activity of bees and other pollinating insects in the garden, and has many beneficial effects on our health and even our moods. In particular, lavender essential oil is one of those natural ingredients that we would do well to keep around the house, as it can come in handy in a myriad of different ways.
For example, you can prepare a soothing and moisturizing oil for your body, and which, on occasion, can also be a useful mosquito repellent. Read on to find out more:
Let's first clarify the issue of the use of lavender as a mosquito repellent: a 2009 study found that lavender essential oil is 93% effective in keeping mosquitoes away in the home, and a bit less (at about 53%) from outside areas. So a product that contains this lavendar-based ingredient certainly can help us repelling these annoying insects!
If we then consider that the fresh smell of this plant helps to calm the nerves, to soothe insomnia and headaches, spraying yourself with a cloud of delicate lavender perfume becomes an even more attractive option.
To prepare lavender body oil, you will need:
- 60ml tbsp of a carrier oil: choose your favorite oil from among sunflower seeds, coconut, witch hazel, sweet almond or argan.
- 20 drops of lavender essential oil.
- A glass bottle (at least 50ml in capacity)
- You can add, if you want, 10 drops of a citrus essential oil (lemon or orange) and 4 or 5 of a spicy oil (such as clove oil).
- Also, you can add (more for aesthetic reasons), dried lavender or marigold flowers.
How to proceed:
- Pour the carrier oil (some people mix half sunflower oil and half coconut oil) into the bottle. The coconut oil will need to be in liquid form.
- Add lavender essential oil (and the others too, if you use them).
- Close the lid tightly and shake well.
- If necessary, add one or two sprigs of lavender and a few calendula petals (mainly for decoration).
- Close the lid again and your product is ready to use!
It is best to prepare a little of this oil at a time, ensuring you will always have a fragrant oil to use handy. And you could of course adapt this recipe to use oils and perfumes other than lavender too, of course!
