Lavender oil is characterized by its beautiful and attractive smell as it is used to soothe itchy skin, help sleep and use it as a massage oil. The use of lavender oil in home recipes is a good option, and it is also possible to use a quantity of lavender to extract an amount of oil that can be used, since the process of preparing lavender essential oil is difficult and the results are a small amount, so you need to add it to another oil anyway before use.
First, extract lavender or lavender oil
Step 1: Cut sprigs of fresh or dried lavender along with the flowers. The leaves and stems can also be used to extract the oil as well as the flowers, although they are woody. Flower buds or strong-smelling flowers can be used. Lavender oil benefits
Step 2: If you are using fresh lavender, drying it enhances the aroma and reduces the chance of the oil becoming rancid. The twigs are tied with rubber bands or chain and hung upside down in a hot, dry area and exposed to sunlight to dry faster, but the heat can break down some essential oils. And lavender picked may take two weeks to dry completely.
Step 3: Crush the lavender with clean hands or any other clean object to extract its scent. If you are using the buds, open them with a knife or fingers and place them in a clean jar. Wash hands and the jar first if it is dirty, but it must be dried well before adding lavender in it because mixing water with oil may interfere with it.
Step 4: Pour any non-fragrant oil into the jar, cover it completely, leaving 1-2 inches (1.25-2.5 cm) of space at the top to allow for expansion. Almond oil and olive oil can be used for this purpose and avoid using oils with strong odors that can overpower the lavender scent.
Step 5: Cover the jar tightly and leave it in a sunny place for at least 48 hours to get a noticeable aroma, and the oil is usually left for three to six weeks.
Step 6: If you do not have time or sunlight, use an alternative method by heating the mixture of oil and lavender in a double boiler for 2-5 hours, and keeping it at a constant temperature between 38-49ºC because excessive heat affects the aroma and shelf life of the oil .
Step 7: Place a piece of gauze or cheesecloth over a bowl and pour the oil and lavender mixture into it.
Step 8: The same resulting oil can be poured again into a jar and a new batch of dried lavender is added and the previous process is repeated to produce a stronger aroma for the oil, and it can be repeated 8 times to increase the oil’s strength in aroma and effect.
Step 9: Vitamin E can be added to increase the shelf life of the oil. This is recommended if you do not have a cool and dark place to store the oil, or if the oil used is rather old because Vitamin E has antioxidant properties.
Step 10: Transfer the collected gauze to a bottle or jar made of glass or dark opaque plastic to prevent exposure to light to preserve the smell where it can last for several months if kept in a dry and dark place.
The second way to prepare lavender balm or ointment:
Step 1: This method turns lavender oil into an ointment that can be used for the skin to relieve inflammation and pain.
Step 2: Use beeswax and add it to lavender oil to make the ointment.
Step 3: Heat the beeswax and oil at a low temperature by placing the beeswax in a bowl and pouring lavender oil on it and placing it over a low heat until they melt together. It may take 15 minutes or more to make all parts of the beeswax melt.
Step 4: Pour the dissolved conditioner into a glass container, making sure it is clean and dry first and then cover it with a tight lid
Step 5: Place the glass container in the refrigerator for 10 or 15 minutes, or in a cool room or basement for 30 minutes, and check the ointment if it is still liquid, or too hard to pick up with your fingers. You may need to thaw it again and add more Beeswax to increase its thickness, or more oil to increase its softness.
Tips: Lavender can be mixed with other plants such as witch hazel, peppermint, or lemon/orange peel. You may want to put a layer of wax paper between the jar and the lid to prevent the mixture from touching the lid and affecting the smell of the oil.
Warnings: Do not leave wax or oil unattended on the fire because it can ignite if the temperature is too high.
Things you need:
Prepare the oil:
Lavender buds, flowers, or leaves (or both)
Wide-necked jar with lid
Any oil without strong odor (enough to cover the lavender)
Sunlight or double boiler Gauze or cheesecloth
bowlDark bottle with tight lid or stopper
Balsam:
the prepared oil,
beeswax
, a pot or pan, a
pot
jar with a tight-fitting lid
