Sudsy & Company

            LAVENDER

The scent of Lavender has to be one of my favorite smells.  Lavender has been said to help promote relaxation and sleep.  I have actually placed Lavender drops on my pillow at night and truly believe it does help promote sleep. Four or five drops on my pillow, I put on my headphones, turn on relaxation music and off to sleep I go!  I have also put it on my temples when I have a migraine.  This also seemed to help.  I've always wanted to grow my own lavender.  This may just be the year I do it!

Lavender is also used in many skin care products.  I use it quite often in many of my products at Heidi's Artisan Soap.  I use it in a couple different soaps, in one of my body butters, and in one of my scrubs. I am currently working on a face serum that will include it. Lavender is said to have anti-inflammatory properties and helps with evening skin tone and calming sensitive skin. You can never go wrong with this scent! It is great for all types of skin types. It is known to help a variety of skin conditions such as acne, sunburns, rashes, bug bites and eczema. When Lavender is inhaled the oil molecules go to the olfactory system to a gland in the brain called the amygdala.  Since smell is the only way to stimulate this gland, lavender can play a big role in reducing stress and insomnia.

Lavender oil is made by steam-distillation via a closed distiller. Steam is gently forced through a mass of lavender flowers, dissolving the oil glands on the calyx of the flowers and attaching the oil particles to the steam. The steam is then cooled by a condenser that returns the steam and attached oil to a liquid. The liquid is then passed through a separator that separates the oil, which floats on top of the water. The water from the distillation which lies below the oil is called "hydrosol", and this is the only way to create pure lavender essential oil. "Answers.com"

So next time you are stressed, can't sleep, or just need to relax, try some Lavender essential oil!  Better yet, go to www.heidisartisansoap.com and order a product that contains Lavender.  You won't be sorry!