To purchase any of our products or products from partner lavender farms/stores, please visit our store front at http://lavenderology.ecrater.com
Tuesday
Our Store Front
To purchase any of our products or products from partner lavender farms/stores, please visit our store front at http://lavenderology.ecrater.com
Saturday
"Lavender Buzz" Lavender Essential Oil for Sunburns
Greetings Lavender Buds,
Spring has sprung, and though we just had snow here today in Northern Nevada, just last week we had nearly 80 degree weather and I saw several people posting on Facebook how they enjoyed a little TOO MUCH sun and got sunburned. Surely you've heard how bad sunburn is for the skin.... While lavender can not prevent sunburn, it can certainly help take the 'ouch' out of a painful sunburn while aiding in healing the sunburn as well.
While you may be tempted the day of the sunburn to reach for a healing lotion like the Lavenderology Healing Salve or Lavenderology Whipped Shea Butter, don't. If you put Healing Salve or Lotion on too soon, it can actually enhance the burn and the last thing you want to do is slather oil onto a sunburn, it's kind of like deep frying yourself!
First things first, as soon as you notice the sunburn, apply cool (not cold) water compress. This may help in preventing the burn from penetrating deeper into the skin. Severe burns should be evauluated by a doctor.
The best thing to do right off the get go is to use Lavenderology Lavender Essential Oil. There are a few methods of application.
- Mist your sunburn with the Lavenderology™ Lavender Mist Spray which contains Lavenderology™ Lavender Essential Oil.
- Mix about 10 drops of Lavender Essential Oil with 1/2 cup of Aloe Vera gel and apply to the burned area.
- Create a cool compress, fill a bowl with some cool water, add about 10 drops of water to a generous sized bowl of cool (not cold) water, and gently apply to the skin with a soft wash cloth. Do not 'rub', simply compress to the burned area gently. Rinse, ring out, and repeat as necessary.
- Take a cool bath. Not warm, not cold, just luke warm water plus about 10 drips of Lavender Essential Oil and soak.
- Bonus bath, toss in a handful of oatmeal into the tub too as oatmeal has many skin soothing qualities. Soak for about a half hour. Remember, luke warm, not cold or warm!
What does lavender do for a sunburn? It can help ease the pain, help aid in healing, fight infection, help reduce blistering and it can help prevent scarring too...
Of course Lavenderology™ recommends always using a sunscreen any time you go out into the sun. Even if gardening 'just for an hour'. It is a good habit to use sunscreen daily on areas that are always exposed like your face, ears, arms and hands. For your body you should use enough sunscreen to fill a shot glass, and for your face an amount the size of a quarter. When caring for your skin, sunscreen is not a place you want to skimp!
Lavender Bath and Body
Friday
"Lavender Buzz" Bugs-Be-Gone with 100% Lavender Mist Spray
Greetings Lavender Buds,
"Lavender Buzz for Lavender Mist Spray" Does lavender really repel mosquitos and other pesky bugs?
As trees start budding and flowers start blooming, the mosquitos start stirring to life in stagnet ponds and still waters. They like to start swarming and dawn, and again at dusk . This can make gardening a pain, Bar B Ques no fun, and back yard parties miserable.
Before you bust out the smelly Mosquito Sprays filled with dangerous ingredients, consider the Lavenderology™ Lavender Mist Spray. Mosquitos (and other bugs like Flys, No-see-ums, and Gnats) are NOT fans of the natural essense of Lavender!Spray yourself well, head to toe, and reapply every one to two hours as once the lavender wears off, the hunt will be on! Don't forget your face (close your eyes), neck, ears, back of hands, feet ~ anywhere there is skin, they'll bite you.
Lavenderology™ offers a generous 8 oz size, shake well and enjoy chasing the bugs away!
Add extra layers of protection by bathing with Lavenderology™ Artisan Soap Bars and using Lavenderology™ Lavender Whipped Shea Lotion.
Mosquitos are no fun, they carry disease and things like West Nile. This mist can be used safely on children and pets, it is non toxic. Do test for allergies as with any type of flower, adults, children and pets could possibly be allergic!
Lavender Bath and Body
Thursday
"Lavender Buzz" How To Warm or Chill a Lavender Eye Pillow
Greetings Lavender Buds,
There are many ways to use Lavender Eye Pillows from Lavenderology™, in this posting of the Lavender Buzz I will go over ways you can Chill your Lavenderology™ Eye Pillow for cooling relief and also ways you can warm your Lavenderology™ Lavender Eye Pillow for soothing warmth.
Cooling Comfort : Sometimes a splitting headache or migraine just screams for a cool compress, you can easily use your Lavender Eye Pillow to give yourself a refreshing burst of lavenderlicious chill across your brow. Many keep their eye pillow in the freezer so it is always ready at a moment's notice. If you decide to keep your Lavenderology™ Lavender Eye Pillow in the freezer I do recommend storing it in an air tight container like a freezer zip bag (press out all the air before sealing). This will keep moisture away from the eye pillow, and will also keep it clean and secure.
What if you are on the go? Like camping, where you may not have a fridge? Wrap your Lavender Eye Pillow in a zip lock and pop it in the cooler beneath the ice. Coolness travels down, so be sure to seal it well so there are no water leaks and soon you'll be enjoying your cooling comfort even while out among the trees...
Chilled Lavender Eye Pillows can also be used as cool compresses for things like black eyes, bruises, and bumps.
Soothing Warmth : Perhaps it's the penetrating warmth you are seeking, to melt away aches and pains. Lavenderology™ Lavender Eye Pillows can also be enjoyed warmed. There are a variety of ways to warm your Lavender Eye Pillow. The fastest method is microwaving; simply place in a microwave safe dish and warm in 10 second increments. After 10 seconds, remove and gently shake the contents back and forth. Warm for another 10 seconds. Repeat this 2 times or more until you achieve the desired warmth. Be careful as there may be 'hot spots', so use with caution. Please don't be tempted to microwave for a longer time period as you do not wish to 'cook' the flax seeds or singe the lavender and/or peppermint within your eye pillow.
Some prefer non-microwave methods, a great one is to warm in your oven. Place the eye pillow in a covered glass dish, and let warm in the oven at your desired temp. I recommend setting the oven to 'warm' and placing it in right away. This method will take longer, do check it every once and awhile as again, you do not want to 'cook' the contents. You will want to shake around the contents a few times as well for even heat dispursion. Do be careful to avoid hot spots and use with caution.
What if you are not near a microwave or oven? Place that puppy in a sunny window! Perhaps your car, on your desk at work, anywhere the sun can provide its natural heating action.
Warm Lavender Eye Pillows are soothing for cramps, muscle aches and beyond. Anywhere you'd like a little warmth, like a mini heating pad with a punch of lavender or lavender mint!
Enjoy your Lavender Eye Pillow with Cooling Comfort or Soothing Warmth!
Keep an eye on the Lavender Buzz for more ways to use your Lavenderology™ Lavender Eye Pillow!
Lavender Bath and Body
"Lavender Buzz" Lavenderology™ Lavender Magic Powder Bathroom Cleaning Tips
Greetings Lavender Buds,
I wanted to share some useful ideas on using the Lavenderology™ Lavender Magic Powder while cleaning in your bathroom. While the Lavender Magic Powder has tons of applications and uses, today we are going to focus on the place where statistics say we spend 1/3 of our lives, the bathroom!
Sinks: Lavenderology™ Lavender Magic Powder works great to remove soap scum build up, toothpaste, shaving cream ~ even hard water spots on the handles and faucet. In addition it provides the perfect amount of gentle cleanser action to get the buildup that forms around the base of the handles, faucet and even the drain plug!
Bath Tub and Shower: The Lavenderology™ Lavender Magic Powder will also do amazing things in your bath tub! It will remove build up and residue aka "ring around the tub", and it will also do all the things as listed above for sinks. If you have a tub/shower combo with sliding doors built in, the Lavender Magic Powder is amazing on those door tracks that can get super cruddy as well. It will shine the chrome and get the goo out of the tracks too.
If your tub or shower has glass doors, you may experience hard water spotting and build up from soap, shampoo, etc... You may see or even feel this as a 'film' on your once clear shower doors. Even if you have the textured glass doors, this works great on those as well.
In my case the shower has stone walls and river rock on the floor and Lavender Magic works its magic on removing soap scum build up gently on the stone work and grout as well.Now I have a little glass shelf in my bathroom, and it's one of those things I tend to 'neglect' we could say as I always have trinkets on it like candles, books, etc... and sometimes I just don't want to move everything ~ so it tends to get quite a build up of that stuck on dust. You know the dust I'm talking about, the one where it just won't 'dust' off any longer since it has formed a type of 'dust cement' from the moisture and steam created in the bathroom environment!
Well I gently took off the shelves, misted with a natural cleaner and sprinkled on my Lavenderology™ Lavender Magic Powder, with just a gentle scrub in a circular motion all that 'dust cement' was removed and my shelves sparkle once again! Makes me feel so silly for even letting the dust turn to cement in the first place... (blush)
Some Usage Tips: Of course Lavender Magic Powder works amazing magic, BUT if you have not cleaned your bathroom in ages don't expect miracles. We're doing magic here, not miracles (wink). In the event of severe build up, it will take more elbow grease, but Lavender Magic Powder will indeed help!
I recommend misting the area to be cleaned with your favorite natural bathroom cleaner spray After letting the mist sit a bit, get your sponge wet with warm water, ring out, and gently sprinkle on a coat of Lavender Magic Powder. Now get a scrubbin' ~ watch the scum dissapear!
You know the best part? You can sink into that tub or hop into the shower right away with no worries of toxic fumes or liquids seeping into your skin!
Of course in order to maintain a fresh environment, and to keep scrubbing to a minimum, I recommend you clean your bathroom weekly to maintain a sparkly appearance. Lavenderology™ Magic Powder is made with all natural ingredients, is non toxic and of course will make your bathroom smell lavender lovely delicious!
Keep and eye on the Lavender Buzz for more information, tips and uses on Lavender Magic Powder!
Tuesday
Lavender Dead Sea Bath Salts by Lavenderology™
Lavender Dead Sea Bath Salts by Lavenderology™
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| Dead Sea Bath Salts by Lavenderology™ |
Dead Sea Salts are known for their amazing benefits for the body, inside and out. A calming soak in Lavender Dead Sea Bath Salts will not only soothe the body and mind, but will also clarify the skin by gently cleansing, detoxifying and lifting impurities away as you soak in lavenderly aromatic bliss.
The Lavender Dead Sea Bath Salts from Lavenderology™ are guaranteed to be 100% Natural Dead Sea Salts, pure, raw, unprocessed, unrefined and uncut. Certified Authentic and imported directly from the Dead Sea in Isreal, you'll notice the difference after just one bath. These Dead Sea Salts are far more potent and naturally contain a powerhouse of of minerals. Due to the nature of these unrefined Dead Sea Salts, the minerals stay intact and are not depleted. Below are some of the minerals in the Lavender Dead Sea Bath Salts by Lavenderology™ and their known benefits to the human body...
- Bromide: Soothes skin, relaxes body muscles, calms nerves.
- Calcium Chloride: A building block for corrective tissue under the skin's surface known to strenghten bones and teeth, also cell membranes and cleanses pores.
- Iodine : Important for correct function of the Thyroid gland and aids the body's metabolic exchanges.
- Magnesium Chloride : Promotes skin tissue healing and the skin surface with an anti-allergic element. Essential for cell metabolism.
- Potassium Chloride: Helps balance moisture in the skin and body, aiding in the reduction of water retention and in the nourishment of cells. Potassium also regulates the nervous system.
- Sodium Chloride: Relieves stiffness and muscle cramps, also provides a neutral environment on the skin. Also a powerful detox agent aiding cells retain nourishment and expel waste.
- Sulphates : Natural disinfectant, known as a detox powerhouse working with liver to remove toxins.
- Zinc : Known to protect from sun and wind burn, boost the immune system and is a factor en enzymatic reglation of cell proliferation.
Soak for at least 20 minutes to gain the most of your spa time experience and to aid the salts in benefiting your body, sip on a generous cup of room temperature water to help cleanse and purge toxins.
Lavender Magic Powder by Lavenderology™
Lavender Magic Powder by Lavenderology™
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| Lavender Magic Powder by Lavenderology™ |
Mystical, magical and 100% natural! The Lavender Magic Powder at Lavenderology™ has tons of different uses from bath and body to cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. Not to mention freshening carpets, dry shampooing the dog and beyond. Explore some of the uses of Lavender Magic Powder here.
Keep an eye on "The Lavender Buzz" for more information, tips and uses for the Lavender Magic Powder.
Packaged in a gorgeous container filled with a long lasting 7 oz of Lavender Magic Powder, you'll find this shiny shaker adorned with an easy to use powder top so you can sprinkle to your heart's desire. The cap pops off for easy refills utilizing our handy refill packs.
The refill packs contain a full 28 oz of Lavender Magic Powder so you can refill your Shaker four times and contine to use it time and time again.
Lavender Healing Salve with Shea and Jojoba by Lavenderology™
Organic Lavender Healing Salve with Shea and Jojoba by Lavenderology™
This Organic Lavender Healing Salve is crafted with three pure ingredients: Unrefined, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Golden Jojoba Oil and Lavender Essential Oil. A total powerhouse of healing, please explore the benefits of Organic Shea and Jojoba as well as the benefits of Lavender Essential Oil as well.
This soothing botanical blend can be used to soothe dry/cracked skin on hands, feet, elbows and knees. You can gently rub the Lavender Healing Salve into your nails and cuticles to strengthen them. Enjoy as a lip salve to repair painful chapped lips. Carefully massage into fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes for a gentle moisture boost.
Be advised, the raw/natural fragrance of the Shea Butter is prominent in this blend. Since I use only unrefined Shea Butter it is not fragrance free. Expect a leafy green/nutty aroma intertwined with pure Lavender Essential Oil.
These are just some of the many fantastic uses for Organic Lavender Healing Salve by Lavenderology™, keep an eye on "The Lavender Buzz" for more information, tips and uses for this product.
Hand blended and poured into elegant screw top tins, you'll receive 2 oz of Organic Lavender Healing Salve to pamper your parts. Beautifully packaged, a gift ready to give or treat for yourself. Store in a cool place to ensure a longer life for your product.
Lavender Flower Tub Tea by Lavenderology™
Lavender Flower Tub Tea by Lavenderology™
Tub Teas are also known as Bath Teas or Bath Sachets ~ many names, same amazing results! I prefer "Tub Tea" as the herbal flowers are 'steeping' in the warm water as you soak, enhancing the waters around you with their properties, filling the air with fragrant flower aroma. This half cup of Lavender Flowers is infused with pure Lavender Essential Oil for a ball of aromatic bliss. Simply toss in the tub when you take a soak and let the essence envelope you. Each Lavender Flower Tub Tea is good for 2 to 3 uses. Hang to dry after use.
Elegantly presented in royal purple wrap and tied with a matching bow, this trio of Lavenderology™ Tub Teas come in a pretty clear tube as easy as 1-2-3!
Lavender Flowers by Lavenderology™
Lavender Flowers by Lavenderology™
Lavenderology™ presents to you Wild Crafted Lavender Flowers in a rich purple-blue color. Dried to perfection and removed from the stems, you'll enjoy a very clean and sweet fragrant aroma of these flowers,
There are many ways you can use loose Lavender Flowers; place some in a bowl for fragrant decor, sprinkle some in your Lavender Dead Sea Bath Salts, use them for soap making, crafting, card making and beyond.
There are many ways you can use loose Lavender Flowers; place some in a bowl for fragrant decor, sprinkle some in your Lavender Dead Sea Bath Salts, use them for soap making, crafting, card making and beyond.
Beautifully packaged in a crystal clear container, you'll receive a generous 4 cups of Lavender Flowers to use any way your imagination can conjur!
Lavender Essential Oil by Lavenderology™
Lavender Essential Oil by Lavenderology™
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| Lavender Essential Oil by Lavenderology™ |
Lavender Essential Oil, one of the most well known Essential Oils, and one of the most recognized aromas as well. There are many benefits and uses for this aromatic flower oil from calming to soothing and a bit of everything in between.
One of only a handful of Essential Oils that can be applied directly to the skin, Lavender Essential Oil has many healing topical uses; for instance; acne, burns and cuts. Also Lavender Essential Oil has been known for treating many skin ailments such as eczema and psoriasis as well ~ especially when combined with other healing elements such as Dead Sea Salts or Shea and Jojoba.
Lavenderology™ offers to you the same Lavender Essential Oil used in our products, available in a generous 1 oz size (30 ml), Lavenderology™ ensures you'll have plenty to last you quite a while. Packaged in a gorgeous colbalt blue bottle and topped with a screw on lid, you'll enjoy the handy drip cap within enabling you to use a little or as much as you'd like at a time.
Lavender Eye Pillows by Lavenderology™
Lavender Eye Pillows by Lavenderology™
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| Lavenderology™ Eye Pillow |
Lavenderology™ offers two unique Eye Pillows:
- Lavender Eye Pillow : A hand sewn Eye Pillow filled with Wild Crafted Lavender Flowers and Organic Golden Flax Seed.
- Lavender Mint Eye Pillow : A hand sewn Eye Pillow filled with Wild Crafted Lavender Flowers and Wild Crafted Peppermint Leaf combined with Organic Golden Flax Seed.
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| Lavenderology™ Lavender Eye Pillow in Butterfly Beaded Bag |
Each Lavender Eye Pillow by Lavenderology™ is hand sewn in a generous 4" x 9" size, perfectly sized to cover from brow to cheekbone to temple; and 'weighted' with Organic Golden Flax Seeds to keep the light at bay while applying chilled or warmed pressure to where you need it most. Of course each Lavender or Lavender Mint Eye Pillow is filled with Lavender Flowers and/or Peppermint Leaf as well.
No fluffly fillers, just herbs and flax!
Each Eye Pillow has a variety of uses and each Eye Pillow has its own unique uses as well... Lavender Eye Pillows are an amazing tool to battle headaches and migraines, calm the mind in a moment of stress, and use in Yoga Class. Lavender Mint Eye Pillows are fantastic to fight head congestion. Both varities can be used warmed or chilled for relaxing warmth or soothing chill across the eyes or brow. In addition these Eye Pillows can be used as heating pads or cooling relief for bruises, sore muscles and beyond.
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| Lavenderology™ Lavender Mint Eye Pillow in Leaf Pattern Beaded Bag |
Explore more information, tips and uses at "The Lavender Buzz".
Each Eye Pillow is individually packaged in its own muslin carry tote. The Lavender Eye Pillow comes in a gorgeous tote with a soothing butterfly pattern in earth tone hues adorned with, beads and sequins.The Lavender Mint Eye Pillow comes in an equally gorgeous tote with a natural leafy green foilage pattern, also adorned with beads and sequins.
Lavender Bubble Bath by Lavenderology™
Lavender Bubble Bath by Lavenderology™
Sometimes the most simple escape is a closed door, candle light and a mountain of bubbles... Lavenderology™ offers a delightful Lavender Bubble Bath crafted with skin softening Olive Esters and Vegetable Glycerine. This luxurious Lavender Bubble Bath is also enriched with Chamomile Flower Extract as well for a beautiful bathing experience.
While soaking in bubbly bliss, take a few moments to breathe in deeply the pure Lavender Essence to calm the mind, ease stress and become one with the moment.
Lavenderology™ Lavender Bubble Bath is Packaged in a gorgeous cobalt blue bottle with a screw top lid, you can pour yourself into a moment of luxury time and time again with this generous 8 oz size.
Herbes de Provence by Lavenderology™
Herbes de Provence by Lavenderology™
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| Herbes De Provence by Lavenderology™ |
Herbes de Provence is a flavorful blend of savory spices with orgins in France and Italy intended to tease and tantalize your taste buds. Brew amazing stews, heat some neat meats and stir up some sassy sauces with this aromatic mixture of Basil, Fennel Seeds, Culinary Lavender, Marjoram, Rosemary, Savory and Thyme.
This blend of 7 lucky herbs is perfectly balanced for rounded out flavor in a variety of meals, adding a new twist to many dishes you may already whip up on a weekly basis like mashed potatoes or vegetables.
Packaged in a beautiful tin with a peek-a-boo-window the hues of greens with a splash of blue make this mix as pretty as it is aromatic. You'll enjoy a full ounce of Herbes de Provence in this handy tin.
Culinary Lavender by Lavenderology™
Culinary Lavender by Lavenderology™
Culinary Lavender is a variety of Lavender you can use to accent your cooking like any other herb or spice. A versitile herb, Culinary Lavender has a variety of uses and goes well with many types of dishes including Appetizers, Breads, Sides, Meats, Main Dishes and even Desserts!
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| Culinary Lavender by Lavenderology™ |
However, just like other herbs and spices, Culinary Lavender has specific types of dishes that it compliments!
The Culinary Lavender offered by Lavenderology™ is a variety called Lavandula Angustifolia, the most popular Lavender variety used in cooking due to its sweet aroma and flavor. Each Lavender Flower bud is about the size of a grain of rice with a beautiful blue-purple hue. Very aromatic and flavorful!
The Culinary Lavender offered at Lavenderology™ comes in a beautiful tin with a peek-a-boo window lid and contains a generous amount of approximately 1/2 ounce of Culinary Lavender Buds (about 1/2 cup).
Thursday
"Agricultural Aromatherapy: Lavender Oil As Natural Herbicide"
Greetings Lavender Buds,
Here is a great article I came across on Science Daily about how Lavender Oil has the potential to be used as a Natural Herbicide. This article is dated 2009, yet still contains valuable information. Wouldn't it be amazing to find natural things like lavender used as herbicides?
Link to Article:
Article Text Below
Elena Sturchio of the National Institute of Health and Safety at Work in Rome and colleagues there and at the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, and the Department Crop Production, at Tuscia University, in Viterbo, have investigated the inhibitory effects on weed growth of aromatic oils, or mixtures of phytochemicals, from plants such as lavender, Lavandula officinalis.
Essential oils, are as the name suggests, often the plant's "essence" in terms of odour. Essential oils are complex chemical mixtures of natural products made by the plant for its own purposes, including terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes and phenols. Indeed, several plant essential oils are present as natural inbuilt herbicides and pesticides.
Synthetic pesticides and herbicides have been in common use for decades and have protected crops from parasites, insects, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and eliminated weeds. However, by virtue of their design, these substances are toxic and in some cases thought to be carcinogenic. Their incorrect use or inadvertent exposure have been the focus of numerous studies on animal and human health, the results of which have led to serious initiatives to find alternative approaches to pest and weed control.
Other researchers have investigated the potential of essential oils from cinnamon plants, and peppermint to prevent seed germination of some weed species found in the Mediterranean region.
Sturchio and colleagues have investigated the effects of lavender oil on root growth in a plant, Vicia faba in trials. This weed has large chromosomes and so was also amenable to studies in the laboratory that investigated the genetic toxicity of the essential oil on the weed. Their analysis showed the oil to be effective at killing the weed even at low concentration. Moreover, the oil affects growth of soil microbes and fungi involved in crop growth.
The team concludes that, "Essential oils could be useful as potential bioherbicides as an alternative strategy to the chemical remedy." They add that, "The use of phytochemicals permits the development for more sustainable agriculture at low environmental impact. Further studies are now needed to evaluate use of such oils "in the field".
The team points out that the oils would most likely be used either before planting or prior to transplantation of seedlings, so the essential oil would not have toxicity effects on the crop itself. Sturchio adds that, "essential oils are not accumulated in the environment, because of their low persistence due to the easy degradation by microbial and enzyme activity. This aspect could represent an advantage compared to the bioaccumulation of chemicals on soil."
Miriam Zanellato, Eva Masciarelli, Laura Casorri, Priscilla Boccia, Elena Sturchio, Mario Pezzella, Andrea Cavalieri, Fabio Caporali. The essential oils in agriculture as an alternative strategy to herbicides: a case study. International Journal of Environment and Health
Here is a great article I came across on Science Daily about how Lavender Oil has the potential to be used as a Natural Herbicide. This article is dated 2009, yet still contains valuable information. Wouldn't it be amazing to find natural things like lavender used as herbicides?
Link to Article:
Article Text Below
ScienceDaily (May 21, 2009) — Could essential oils extracted from lavender be used as a natural herbicide to prevent weed growth among crops? Research carried out in Italy and reported in the current issue of the International Journal of Environment and Health suggests the answer may be yes.
Elena Sturchio of the National Institute of Health and Safety at Work in Rome and colleagues there and at the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, and the Department Crop Production, at Tuscia University, in Viterbo, have investigated the inhibitory effects on weed growth of aromatic oils, or mixtures of phytochemicals, from plants such as lavender, Lavandula officinalis.
Essential oils, are as the name suggests, often the plant's "essence" in terms of odour. Essential oils are complex chemical mixtures of natural products made by the plant for its own purposes, including terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes and phenols. Indeed, several plant essential oils are present as natural inbuilt herbicides and pesticides.
Synthetic pesticides and herbicides have been in common use for decades and have protected crops from parasites, insects, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and eliminated weeds. However, by virtue of their design, these substances are toxic and in some cases thought to be carcinogenic. Their incorrect use or inadvertent exposure have been the focus of numerous studies on animal and human health, the results of which have led to serious initiatives to find alternative approaches to pest and weed control.
Other researchers have investigated the potential of essential oils from cinnamon plants, and peppermint to prevent seed germination of some weed species found in the Mediterranean region.
Sturchio and colleagues have investigated the effects of lavender oil on root growth in a plant, Vicia faba in trials. This weed has large chromosomes and so was also amenable to studies in the laboratory that investigated the genetic toxicity of the essential oil on the weed. Their analysis showed the oil to be effective at killing the weed even at low concentration. Moreover, the oil affects growth of soil microbes and fungi involved in crop growth.
The team concludes that, "Essential oils could be useful as potential bioherbicides as an alternative strategy to the chemical remedy." They add that, "The use of phytochemicals permits the development for more sustainable agriculture at low environmental impact. Further studies are now needed to evaluate use of such oils "in the field".
The team points out that the oils would most likely be used either before planting or prior to transplantation of seedlings, so the essential oil would not have toxicity effects on the crop itself. Sturchio adds that, "essential oils are not accumulated in the environment, because of their low persistence due to the easy degradation by microbial and enzyme activity. This aspect could represent an advantage compared to the bioaccumulation of chemicals on soil."
Miriam Zanellato, Eva Masciarelli, Laura Casorri, Priscilla Boccia, Elena Sturchio, Mario Pezzella, Andrea Cavalieri, Fabio Caporali. The essential oils in agriculture as an alternative strategy to herbicides: a case study. International Journal of Environment and Health
Inderscience (2009, May 21). Agricultural Aromatherapy: Lavender Oil As Natural Herbicide. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 17, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2009/05/090514083921.htm
"Lavender oil has potent antifungal effect"
Greetings Lavender Buds,
I came across this amazing article from Science Daily which shares valuable details on how lavender essential oil has a potent anti-fungal effect.
Link to original article : http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110214201842.htm
Article Text Below
ScienceDaily (Feb. 16, 2011) — Lavender oil could be used to combat the increasing incidence of antifungal-resistant infections, according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology. The essential oil shows a potent antifungal effect against strains of fungi responsible for common skin and nail infections.
Scientists from the University of Coimbra in Portugal distilled lavender oil from the Lavandula viridis L'Hér shrub that grows in southern Portugal. The oil was tested against a range of pathogenic fungi and was found to be lethal to a range of skin-pathogenic strains, known as dermatophytes, as well as various species of Candida.
Dermatophytes cause infections of the skin, hair and nails as they use the keratin within these tissues to obtain nutrients. They are responsible for conditions such as Athletes' foot, ringworm and can also lead to scalp and nail infections. Candida species coexist with most healthy individuals without causing problems but may cause mucocutaneous candidosis -- or thrush -- in some people. In immunocompromised patients, Candida species are able to cause serious infection if the fungal cells escape into the blood stream.
Currently, there are relatively few types of antifungal drugs to treat infections and those that are available often have side effects. Professor Lígia Salgueiro and Professor Eugénia Pinto who led this study explained why novel fungicides are urgently needed. "In the last few years there has been an increase in the incidence of fungal diseases, particularly among immunocompromised patients," they said. "Unfortunately there is also increasing resistance to antifungal drugs. Research by our group and others has shown that essential oils may be cheap, efficient alternatives that have minimal side effects."
Essential oils distilled from the Lavandula genus of lavender plants are already used widely, particularly in the food, perfume and cosmetic industries. Studies of the biological activities of these oils suggest Lavandula oils have sedative and antispasmodic properties as well being potent antimicrobials and antioxidants.
This group has demonstrated that these oils work by destroying fungal cells by damaging the cell membrane. They believe that further research into the mechanisms by which this essential oil works could have significant clinical benefits.
"Lavandula oil shows wide-spectrum antifungal activity and is highly potent. This is a good starting point for developing this oil for clinical use to manage fungal infections. What is now required is clinical trials to evaluate how our in vitro work translates in vivo," said Professor Salgueiro.
Society for General Microbiology (2011, February 16). Lavender oil has potent antifungal effect. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 17, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2011/02/110214201842.htm
Monday
Lavender Bubble Bath at Lavenderology™
Greetings Lavender Buds!
Mountains of tiny bubbles gently popping and releasing aromatic lavender into the air... bubbly bliss, soaking in silence ~ the moments we all long for!
There is just something about the time spent in a bubble bath, the white noise from the running water silences the chaos just outside the door...watching the water explode into fantastic foam, takes you away to another place. Not only relaxing, but a little fun as well!
Lavenderology™ offers Lavender Bubble Bath crafted with skin soothing ingredients including pure vegetable glycerine. This formula is enriched with Chamomile Flower Extract as well for a skin soothing and smoothing bath time experience.
Lavender Bubble Bath calms the mind, soothes stress, softens the skin ~ and allows some moments to escape from reality.
Tuesday
Lavender Whipped Shea Butter by Lavenderology™
Lavender Whipped Shea Butter by Lavenderology™
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| Whipped Shea Butter by Lavenderology™ |
The Lavender Whipped Shea Butter by Lavenderology™ is delightfully fluffy and smooth. A texture like freshly whipped frosting, it glides on smooth, absorbs quickly and leaves you feeling silky and refeshed. This Lavender Whipped Shea Butter is so much more than just Shea!
Containing Organic Shea Butter, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Coconut Oil and Organic Palm Fruit Oil. But these amazing organic, skin soothing ingredients are whipped to perfection with added Mango Butter, Cupuaçu Butter, Japanese Green Tea and of course Lavender Essential Oil.
Packaged in a gorgeous blue cobalt jar with screw top lid, this 4 oz Lavender Whipped Shea Butter is sealed to perfection with a sealing disc and shrink band as well. All nestled into its own little gift box!
Lavender Sugar Scrub by Lavenderology™
Lavender Sugar Scrub by Lavenderology™
Not all Lavender Sugar Scrubs are created equally! The Organic Lavender Sugar Scrub at Lavenderology™ is unique in that it is not half oil/half sugars. Take a moment to explore how I developed this no-mess Lavender Sugar Scrub.
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| Lavender Sugar Scrub by Lavenderology™ |
Lavender Sugar Scrub is a gentle way to exfoliate your body, more gentle than salt scrubs, Lavender Sugar Scrubs quickly dissolve and are less abrasive to the skin's surface. Frequently exfoliated skin (the body's largest organ) functions better. Clearing dead skin cells enables the body to perfom its natural functions like obtaining nourishment and expelling toxins.
In addition, sugar naturally contains glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid that is crucial for maintaining healthy skin and is usually a key ingredient in high dollar skin care products. The natural glycolic acid in sugar not only helps condition and moisturize skin, but also protect it from toxins.
The benefits of sugar combined with Organic Golden Jojoba, Vegetable Glycerine and Lavender Essential Oil are a powerhouse of botanical essentials.
Packaged in a gorgeous cobalt blue jar with a screw cap lid, your 4 oz Lavender Sugar Scrub is secure with an internal liner as well as external shrink wrap. Gift wrapped to go, the Lavender Sugar Scrub is tucked into its own little gift box, just for you!
Lavenderology™ Product, Product Use and Statment Disclaimer
Lavender Soap Bars by Lavenderology™
Lavender Soap Bars by Lavenderology™
Lavender Soap Bars by Lavenderology™ are hand crafted the old fashioned way, cold processed with natural ingredients, time and love!
Lavender Soap Bars by Lavenderology™ are hand crafted the old fashioned way, cold processed with natural ingredients, time and love!
You may select from two Lavender Soap Bars:
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| Flower Bars by Lavenderology™ |
Flower Bar: Cured for a minimum of 8 weeks, then hand cut into a generous bar between 3-4 oz, this Lavender Flower Bar is natural ivory in color and embedded with lavender flower buds.
Purple Bar: Cured for a minimum of 8 weeks, then hand cut into a generous bar between 3-4 oz, this Purple Bar is blended with natural pigments to give it a gorgeous purple and white swirled effect.
These Lavender Soap Bars smell simply divine as they are enriched with pure Lavender Essential Oil during the soap making process.
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| Purple Bars by Lavenderology™ |
These Lavender Soap Bars smell simply divine as they are enriched with pure Lavender Essential Oil during the soap making process.
Packaged in dual purpose organza bags that serve as soap savers in addition to gentle exfoliators. Simply remove the hang tag and package insert, then use the Lavender Soap Bar right in the bag. The soft weave of the organza gently exfoliates your skin while covering you with lavender-luscious bubbles and aroma.
When done bathing, simply shake excess water from the bag and hang to dry. This will prolong the life of your Lavender Soap Bar!
Lavender Sachets by Lavenderology™
Lavender Sachets by Lavenderology™
Lavender Sachets come in so many colors, scents, shapes and sizes... of course here at Lavenderology™ they come in gorgeous shades of lavender and purples and are filled with Wild Crafted Lavender Flowers!
Simple Sachet Collection: Small and compact, 4 sachets in assorted purples measuring 3 inches x 3 inches, each holding about 1/2 oz of Lavender Flowers.
Amethyst Moon: A smidge larger measuring 3.5 inches x 3.5 inches, the Amethyst Moon Sachet is a gorgeous sheer that reflects purple, blue and red. Adorned with royal purple tassles holding in a little over a 1/2 oz of Lavender Flowers.
Embroidered Lavender: Measuring 4 inches x 4.5 inches, this sheer ivory sachet has a beautiful embroidered lavender flower design on the front and holds a generous 1 + 1/2 oz of Lavender Flowers.
Lavender Elegance: Measures 4.5 inches across by 10 inches from top to tip of tassle, this is simply my favorite! Filled with 2 + 1/2 oz of Lavender Flowers. The Lavender Elegance Sachet is a showy piece dotted with a satin flower and leaves, adorned with glass beadwork beneath the flower and on the ends of the tie strings.
Lavender Mist Spray by Lavenderology™
Lavender Mist Spray by Lavenderology™
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| Lavender Mist Spray by Lavenderology™ |
Lavender Mist, Lavender Spray, Lavender Linen Water, Lavender Water; each name is one in the same! Here at Lavenderology™ it is called Lavender Mist Spray, and this 100% natural botanical mist spray can be used nearly everywhere from auto to body to home to office.
Simply give the bottle a nice shake and mist anywhere you'd like an aromatic boost! One of my personal favorite uses is to keep mist the sheer curtains in my home office so when the window is blowing in a gentle breeze, the room fills with lavender aroma!
Packaged in a gorgeous aluminum bottle with an matching aluminum sprayer you'll not find a plastic cap on the Lavenderology™ Mist Spray. Why? Well I feel this unique sprayer is just to pretty to hide under opaque plastic, and I think you'll feel the same once you have this bottle at home!
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