by C Sawyer
Lavender, with its calming scent and versatile properties, can enhance your home environment in many ways. Here are some of the benefits:
Mental and Emotional Well-being
- Stress reduction: Lavender’s soothing aroma can help alleviate stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation.
- Improved sleep: The calming effects of lavender can make it easier to fall asleep and improve sleep quality.
- Mood enhancement: Lavender’s fragrance can uplift your mood and create a sense of tranquility.
Air Quality and Hygiene
- Air purification: Lavender can help purify the air by neutralizing unpleasant odors and promoting a fresher environment.
- Insect repellent: Lavender is a natural insect repellent, keeping pests away from your home.
- Antimicrobial properties: Lavender has antimicrobial properties that can help reduce the growth of bacteria and germs.
Home Decor and Ambiance
- Aromatic enhancement: Lavender can add a pleasant and inviting fragrance to your home.
- Decorative element: Lavender plants or dried lavender can be used as decorative elements in various areas of your home.
- Relaxing atmosphere: The calming scent of lavender can create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere in your living spaces.
Health and Wellness
- Aromatherapy: Lavender oil can be used in diffusers or for massage to promote relaxation and well-being.
- Skincare: Lavender-infused products can be used to soothe and nourish the skin.
- Mindfulness: Lavender can help cultivate a sense of mindfulness and presence.
By incorporating lavender into your home environment, you can enjoy a variety of benefits for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
You can experience these benefits of lavender in your home and more, with our full line of Luxury Lavender Products.
Read more about the many benefits of Lavender on our Blog!
by C Sawyer
Lavender has long been associated with promoting mental well-being. Here are some of the key benefits it offers:
Stress Reduction and Relaxation
- Aromatherapy: Lavender’s scent has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. Inhaling lavender oil can help calm the nervous system and induce relaxation.
- Improved Sleep: Lavender can aid in sleep quality, making it a popular choice for promoting restful sleep.
Mood Enhancement
- Anti-Depressant Effects: Some studies suggest that lavender may have antidepressant properties, helping to alleviate symptoms of depression and improve mood.
- Anxiety Relief: Lavender can be effective in reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm.
Cognitive Function
- Memory Improvement: Lavender has been linked to improved cognitive function, including memory and concentration.
- Mental Clarity: The scent of lavender can help enhance mental clarity and focus.
Overall Well-being
- Emotional Balance: Lavender can help promote emotional balance and stability.
- Stress Management: Regular use of lavender can be beneficial for managing stress and preventing burnout.
*It’s important to note that while lavender offers numerous mental health benefits, individual experiences may vary. If you’re struggling with mental health issues, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.
by C Sawyer
Lavender, a fragrant and versatile herb, has been cherished for millennia. Its history can be traced back to ancient civilizations across the Mediterranean basin and beyond.
Ancient Origins
- Egyptians: The Egyptians were among the earliest known cultivators of lavender. They used it in perfumes, cosmetics, and even in the mummification process.
- Romans: The Romans were also great admirers of lavender. They used it in their public baths, as a fragrance, and for medicinal purposes. The Latin word “lavare” means “to wash,” which is believed to be the origin of the name “lavender.“
- Greeks: The ancient Greeks used lavender in their medicine and as a perfume. They also believed it had calming and healing properties.
Medieval and Renaissance Europe
During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, lavender continued to be highly valued. It was used as a disinfectant, insect repellent, and for its medicinal properties. Lavender was also a popular ingredient in potpourris and sachets.
Modern Times
In recent centuries, lavender has gained even greater popularity as a fragrant and therapeutic plant. Lavender oil is widely used in aromatherapy for its calming and relaxing effects. It is also a common ingredient in many skincare and beauty products.
Today, lavender is cultivated in many parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and Australia. Its versatility and enduring appeal have ensured its place in gardens, homes, and spas around the globe.
by C Sawyer
Yes, I am familiar with Belvedere Lavender skin care.
It’s a Canadian brand based in Woodstock, Ontario, known for its high-quality, natural skincare products infused with lavender. Used for healthy skin and great calming acne and anti-aging properties. They offer a range of luxury skincare products including:
- Facial Mist: A refreshing mist that cleanses, tones, and hydrates the skin.
- Face & Eye Cream: A nourishing cream that moisturizes and helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
- Anti-Aging Serum: A concentrated serum that targets signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
- Hand & Body Lotion: A hydrating lotion that softens and protects the skin.
Belvedere Lavender’s products are made with natural ingredients, including lavender, and are free from harsh chemicals. They are known for their calming and soothing properties, making them a popular choice for those seeking natural and effective skincare.
Calming, Natural, Organic, Holistic, Luxury, Skincare.
by Brittney Park-Sawyer
Clinical studies show that lavender aromatherapy has excellent and positive effects on insomnia, especially with women through midlife.
Most of us have experienced insomnia at one point or another in our lives, and this is especially true for women in mid-life. Insomnia is a disorder that prevents you from getting adequate sleep, including difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. It can also mean you are not getting past the REM level of sleep into the deeper, rejuvenating sleep your body and mind require.
People suffering from insomnia may:
- Take 30 or more minutes to fall asleep
- Get less than six hours of sleep per night several times a week
- Have trouble staying asleep/wake up far too early
- Not fall into the deep sleep levels and not feel rested after sleeping
- Feel sleepy or drowsy throughout the day
Over time, this affects your health in several ways such as:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Stress
- Focusing
- Memory
- Headaches
- Other health issues such as gastrointestinal problems
Lavender Aromatherapy Study
A 2011 study published by the US National Library of Medicine examined the effects of lavender aromatherapy over 12 weeks on heart rate variability (HRV) in midlife women with insomnia. Sixty-seven women aged 45 to 55 participated.
One group received lavender inhalation for 20 minutes twice a week for 12 weeks. The study showed that lavender inhalation had persistent short-term effects on HRV. The women receiving lavender aromatherapy experienced a significant improvement in sleep quality.
Since sleep problems are common in both pre- and post-menopausal women, the study sought to explore natural solutions like aromatherapy as an alternative to Western medicine.
Aromatherapy and Sleep
Aromatherapy has been used for millennia to induce better sleep. Lavender inhalation, in particular, has long been known in alternative medicine to encourage a better state of mind for deeper sleep.
Study Results
The study found a significant decrease in mean heart rate after 20 minutes of lavender aromatherapy. After 12 weeks, midlife women with insomnia had substantial improvements in sleep quality.
Numerous other studies have since confirmed the positive effect of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia.
For more information on lavender, join our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or on Pinterest. You can also shop for Belvedere Lavender skincare products online!
by C Sawyer
Recently we introduced a brand new product to Belvedere Lavender customers – Hydrosol. But what is this product, how can you use it around your home and most importantly, why should you?
Let’s dive in!
What’s Hydrosol?
When we extract essential oil from lavender, the process creates the essential lavender oil – which we bottle and sell, and the hydrosol. This hydrosol is the floral water, containing essence of lavender and water. Hydrosols are a gentle scent and less concentrated while essential oils are a heavier smell, and more concentrated.
Hydrosol has so many uses and purposes! While new in popularity, you’ll find a rich history of using floral water in various forms. These include: Perfumes, Skin toners, Aromatherapy, Makeup products, Skin care products, and Natural Health Products.
We’ll focus our attention on lavender. When we make essential lavender oil, using our copper still, we end up with 2 different products – the essential oil and the hydrosol. After these mixtures are separated and cooled, they’re bottled separately and dated. At each step we control the manufacturing process to ensure quality. Using both liquids from this manufacturing process is a smart, environmental move. We hate waste!
What do you use hydrosol for?
Now that we know what hydrosol is, what is its purpose? What can the floral water be used for, during or with? This is an excellent question. As we use all natural, organic products in our work and home lives, using hydrosol in our homes is the perfect addition to going green and using sustainable products.
Room deodorizer
You can use hydrosol for many purposes, including in place of room deodorizers. Looking to add a light, gentle scent to your room? Give hydrosol a try. You can add this light scent, without using products full of chemicals.
Ironing
Looking to iron a shirt or pair of pants, or whatever you iron? Use hydrosol in place of regular water. Be careful when ironing – cotton, linen clothing work well with hydrosol. But stay clear of using hydrosol on all silk items.
Cleaning Products
If you’re looking to kick your cleaning products to the curb because they’re made with too many chemicals for your liking, try making your own. We suggest a mixture of distilled water, white vinegar and lavender hydrosol. This cleaning mixture can also be used on windows and glass. If you’re cleaning greasy items, add a little dish soap into the mixture.
Rinsing Clothing
Adding lavender hydrosol to the final rinse of your washing machine is a great way to add softness and a light lavender scent to clothing. Consider swapping out fabric softener.
Makeup Remover
So many makeup removers are full of chemicals and dry out your skin. Instead of using these products, switch to a lavender hydrosol. You can add a little hydrosol to a cotton makeup pad and remove your makeup. The addition of lavender hydrosol adds moisture back to your skin and helps condition and tone it.
These 5 uses for hydrosol begin to demonstrate how useful and how versatile this product is. As we and many others continue to incorporate using all natural ingredients and products in our homes, we’ve begun to use our Lavender Hydrosol in place of many household products. We don’t miss the chemicals, but love the all natural scents.
You can find our all-natural, organic, Hydrosol on our shop, along with our luxurious hand processed organic skin care products.
