How to Make Lavender Oil - a simple lavender oil recipe

This article discusses some facts on lavender oil, including how to make lavender oil and some of the uses for lavender essential oil.

The entire lavender plant contains the sweet, pungent oil.

However, it is most mostly the flower, which contains the essential oil, which is the source that is distilled and then used in perfumes, potpourri, soaps, toiletries like sachets, and bath oils.

Uses for Lavender Essential Oil

As a medicinal oil, the external or topical use of lavender oil is frequently seen in cases where it is used as a tonic for inhalation therapy (the science of aromatherapy) to help with nervous disorders and fatigue.

Lavender oil is also used by herbal practitioners as an antidote for skin problems including burns, wounds, eczema, acne and fungal infections.

In addition, lavender oil is added to a warm bath to improve circulatory disorders, or used as a rub to alleviate rheumatic ailments.

Facts about Lavender Oil

It is believed that the best lavender oils come from lavender flowers cultivated in England.

Contrarily, it is also believed that the South of France grows the best lavender flowers that produce high quality lavender oil.

However, the best oil is that which is sourced from the buds or fully opened flowers, and the quality of the oil, as the quality of fine wines, differs from season to season – it depends on the quality of soil, the age of the plant, and the weather conditions which prevailed during its cultivation cycle.

Making Lavender Oil

To make lavender oil, there are two main processes which we are usually talking about.

Lavender “essential” oil is obtained by the process of distillation of the flower and this is used for perfumes and cosmetics.

Lavender “water” is produced by mixing with alcohol and other additives, and this is used for soaps and toiletries.

Generally speaking, it is not practical for individual growers to distill their own oil, since large quantities of lavender flowers are required to distill a small quantity of this prized herbal oil.

However, the next section details a simple home lavender oil recipe for making lavender oil using high quality almond or olive oil.

How to Make Lavender Oil at Home – a basic lavender oil recipe