During "Energetic" Summer , Enjoy the Benefits of Lavender
Jun 03, 2025
Being that Lavender is both soothing and cooling, many of PHYTO5’s energetic skincare products in our seasonal Summer Fire element line contain high grade lavender essential oil. This makes sense since lavender is a cooling agent and the very thought of Summer calls for cooling. A Fire element imbalance according to traditional Chinese medicine tends to manifest as red, irritated, sensitive, blotchy, allergic skin, couperose, and issues of red blood (arterial) circulation. These skin conditions denote fiery and hot but PHYTO5 Fire element skincare can offer relief.
Though we may immediately think of lavender as a flower, it isn’t. Lavender is actually an herb and an evergreen shrub belonging to the mint family. Its origins are India, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean area but “it grows wild in the chalky dry ravines of the French Sea Alps,” says Sharon Shipley, author of The Lavender Cookbook.
Only the buds contain the essential oil of lavender.
Lavender essential oil is considered to be one of the most versatile of essential oils and very relaxing. It can be applied topically, most especially in careful skincare product formulations such as those produced by PHYTO5, and it can also be ingested in food and beverages with great health benefits.
In French, the word for washing or cleansing is ‘laver.’
We can readily see ‘laver’ as the root of the word, ‘lavender,’ so this tells us a lot about the properties of lavender. Ancient Romans used lavender in their baths, their beds, clothing, and hair for freshening purposes.
Lavender offers an array of wonderful refreshing and soothing properties.
We can reap the benefits of lavender in our everyday lifestyle. Here are several ways:
IN SKINCARE:
- High grade lavender essential oil is used by discriminating manufacturers like PHYTO5 for cleansing and soothing irritated, burned, sensitive, allergic skin.
IN MEDICINE:
- to soothe burns and wounds, insect bites and cuts
- to soothe inflammatory conditions such as acne
ALSO FOR:
- indigestion and heartburn
- migraine headaches
- motion sickness
- insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, depression
- overactive mind
- fatigue
For the symptoms above associated with the nervous system, apply lavender essential oil to the temples and back of the neck.
IN CUISINE:
- Use the beautiful Herbes de Provence herb mixture in which lavender is key. This herbal mix is reminiscent of the sunny South of France in gourmet food preparation.Consume it as food for digestive benefit. The flavor of lavender is, of course, floral and elegant, but it’s also slightly sweet depending on the type and grade of dried lavender you use.
- Best results in cooking come from using dried culinary ‘Provence’ lavender buds since “other varieties can taste perfumey, bitter, and medicinal,” according to Shipley.
- Gourmands sprinkle dried blooms on desserts and infuse ice cream, cakes, and cookies with lavender buds. There are entire cookbooks written based on the use of lavender in cooking and baking.
- Lavender lemonade is a Summertime favorite.
IN THE HOME OR OFFICE, TAKE YOUR CUE FROM THE ANCIENT ROMANS. AROMATIZE WITH DRIED LAVENDER BUDS OR SACHETS OR FRESH LAVENDER AS APPROPRIATE:
- bed and pillows
- dresser drawers
- storage boxes
- desk
- hair and bath
FOR CELEBRATIONS:
- Lavender will uplift the spirit of party-goers and guests as a powerful aromatic addition to spectacular floral arrangements.
- Lavender sprigs in mason jars as Summer celebration centerpieces are themselves a work of rustic art.
FOR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT:
- Lavender is widely considered an analog for Mother by herbalists. If you’re feeling lonely or in despair, and Mother is nowhere near, let pure and natural (not synthetic!) lavender fragrance be your rescue remedy.
JUST FOR FUN:
- Make a lavender wreath for your home’s front door.
- Jazz up your Summer beverages with a single lavender stem as stirrer.
- Learn how to make lavender soap or sachets.
- Find a great Lavender Lemonade recipe. HelloGlow.co has a wonderful lavender soda recipe to follow that’s just right for hot Summer nights.
