To start with, many of us first tried Lavender. Lavender essential oil is a virtual 'first aid' cabinet in and of itself. A touch of lavender essential oil on the temples and back of the neck can ease a headache. A drop of  lavender can soothe and help heal a minor burn.

It is a potent antiseptic, and a antibacterial, antifungal and anti-viral agent. It's also one of the less expensive oils.

If you have a local source for true essential oils, use it. Or order from me, or another online vendor. Check the Latin Name. You want either LAVENDER VERA or LAVENDER ANGUSTIFOLIUM, or LAVENDER OFFICINALIS. There are other varieties of oils, similar to true lavender, that are sometimes sold as Lavender. They have different effects and won't be as effective. (It's a good idea to always check the latin name of any oil you buy.)

Now that you have your lavender, what to do with it, other than for the " first aid " purposes listed above.

Lavender is lovely in the bath. As with most essentials, 6 to 10 drops is enough. Rather than adding the oil directly to the bathwater (because essentials don't blend with water) try diluting the lavender in a tablespoon or so of honey, a teaspoon of unscented bath oil, or for a Cleopatra luxury bath, some cream.

Or you can make your own bath salts by mixing epsom salts, sea salt or table salt, and/or powdered milk, and adding a lavish amount of lavender. Bottle these and let them stand for a week or ten days.

A lavender bath will relax tired muscles and a tired mind. It's a wonderful way to relax before bedtime.

Ten to fifteen drops of lavender mixed into an ounce of your favourite carrier oil makes a wonderfully relaxing massage oil.

To induce restful sleep, put a drop or two of lavender on a cotton ball and tuck it into the corner of your pillow case. Or perfume a room by adding a few drops of lavender to an  aroma lamp. You can even add a few drops of essential oils to the melted wax in a burning candle. (Be very careful doing this, the oils are extremely flammable.) See our "methods" page for other suggested and appropriate uses.

If you are pleased with the results of the lavender, then experiment with some other oils, either alone, or in combination. Other good beginner oils are Orange or Mandarine, Geranium, Sandalwood, Rosemary, Cypress, Peppermint or Eucalyptus. None are extremely expensive, and all are very useful.  Or you could investigate one of our Beginners Kits.

Sometimes you will see a recipe such as "to one ounce of jojoba I added 6 drops of German Chamomile and 7 drops of Lavender."   To concoct that particular blend you will have to have (besides the obvious Jojoba oil, German Chamomile Oil, and Lavender) an empty one ounce bottle,  and either an eyedropper, or our disposable pipettes.   First you will pour one ounce of the Jojoba into your one ounce bottle. (Note, the bottle holds more than one ounce so there will be headroom for blending.)  Now, with the pipette or eyedropper, count the drops of German Chamomile added.  Then, with a clean dropper, add the correct amount of Helichrysum.  Cap the blend bottle, roll it between your hands to blend, and there you have it.  (Seems very elementary, but sometimes people ask me how to do just this.)

Your nose is really your best guide to which oils will work best for you. I'm firmly convinced that we are drawn to the oils that our bodies need, either mentally/emotionally or physically. Trust your nose, but educate yourself on the safe and effective uses of the oils you select.