Soothing Lavender Spray (Non-Edible)
I’m really having the most fun making these natural cosmetics, and even more so since they are actually meeting their purpose in the most pleasant ways! The scrubs leave my skin nice and smooth, the bb makes me feel like Phryne Fisher herself and her beloved scented soaks, this Aloe Lemongrass Blam has proved useful against insect bites...
Now, I’ve started work again this week, the week of the heat wave, yes!, and whether I’m walking to the train station in the morning or home in the evening, it’s always under a scorching heat. The office is in an old building, with lovely large windows that let the light flood in, which in these circumstances, means it’s about 40°C in there in the arvo. All that to say, when I’m finally home (because sometimes, I add some extra walking and go and see the World Cup games at the stadium!), and sit with a cold beer (ta Jules!); my legs are so sore I don’t really want to stand up again!
Well, this Soothing Lavender Spray, is now the first thing I do (generously spraying it and rubbing it on my calves) when I walk inside and close the door to the outside inferno, and I can sit with a coldie, and then stand up and dance the night away if I wished!
I haven’t had a sunburn because I’m very careful and dutiful with sunscreen, but apparently it would soothe them too!
Ingredients (makes about 220 millilitres/7.5 fluid ounces):
1/2 teaspoon Dried Lavender
3 medium leaves aloe vera
1 tablespoon safflower oil
a dozen drops lavender essential oil
In a small cup, combine Dried Lavender and water. Let steep, half an hour.
Rinse aloe vera leaves thoroughly under cold water, and place them in a shallow plate or flat bowl. Cover with cold water, and let them soak, half an hour. Set aside.
Remove aloe vera leaves from the bowl, and discard the water. Rinse the bowl, and refill it with 1/3 cup cold water.
Using a sharp knife, run it on both edges of the leaf, to cut off the green skin. Then place aloe leaf flat onto your work surface, and gently run the knife just underneath the skin on top. Now the aloe vera gel is exposed. Finally, run the knife underneath the gel, to scoop it off the bottom skin. Place aloe vera gel into the bowl of cold water, and proceed likewise with remaining aloe leaves. (If that’s not clear, here’s a helpful Goodful video!)
Transfer aloe vera gel and the “aloe water” (the now gloopy water where the aloe soaked) to a blender, and process until smooth. Add jojoba oil, safflower oil and lavender essential oil, and process again, to combine.
Pour mixture in a spray bottle. Pour in reserved lavender water. Close bottle tightly and shake well to combine.
You could use your Soothing Lavender Spray immediately, to calm a sunburn or relieve sore legs, but I suggest chilling it a couple of hours in the refrigerator, and store it there, to make it extra alleviating, especially in this heat. Shake before using.
