From Lavender with Love

We’re moving into the season of fall and autumnal transition. Virgo is ruling from August 23 to September 22 so we thought we’d take a moment to honor a fondly favored herb who is associated with Virgo and therefore ruled by Mercury: our friend, lavender.

Mercury, messenger of the gods, is the planet of communication and understanding. Lavender can help as we switch gears to a season more deeply focused and introspective. The essential oil can be applied to the bottoms of the feet to center oneself and calm the heart and mind in order to speak from a place of truth. Paul Beyerl writes in “The Master Book of Herbalism” that “Lavender attracts energy of a high vibrational nature. It is thus brought into meditation where increased awareness is sought. It is said to bring great inner calm, peace of mind, and freedom from emotional and mental stress.”

Both the essential oil or lavender-infused honey can be used topically as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory for cuts and insect bites. Lavender buds can also be a calming addition to teas to help digestion and aid in relaxation before bed.

As we prepare for autumn, you might invite lavender to calm and center your being, bringing awareness to your inner thoughts and desires as we open our arms to receive the season of abundance.

 

Want to nourish yourself with lavender? We welcome you to try these recipes:

Honey Lavender Face Mask:

  • Juice from 1/2 organic lemon
  • 1 tablespoon honey (I used local raw honey, in its liquid state)
  • 1/4 cup 2 teaspoons dried lavender buds ground up
  • 15 drops lavender essential oil
  • Combine all ingredients well. Apply gently to the face; leave for 5 to 10 minutes and rinse with warm water. Spritz rinsed skin with Lavender Toner or Lavender Hydrosol and you're ready to apply your favorite moisturizer.

 

Super Simple Lavender Toner

  • 3/4 cup Lavender Hydrosol
  • 1/4 cup Witch Hazel
  • 5-15 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
  • Combine all ingredients into 8oz spray bottle; shake well and apply as needed
  • Add 30-40 drops of lavender essential oil and you've now created a lovely calming aromatherapy spray! 

 

Brett's Lavender Shortbread

  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cornstarch
  • 1/8 cup lavender buds
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 14 tablespoons unsalted butter, sliced and chilled
  • Preheat Oven to 450 degrees. Pulse oats and lavender until a fine powder. Mix all dry ingredients at low speed. Add butter and continue to mix until it becomes dough like. Press dough into springform collar pan (or equivalent round pan); Bake 5 minutes in pan and then loosen pan. Reduce oven to 250 degrees bake until light to golden brown. Remove from oven and pan; score into wedges. Put back into the oven and let stand with door propped open for 1 hour. Remove and let cool completely. 

 

 

 

Kristin Schuch