Lavender 40/42 Essential Oil
There are several types of lavender oils, but lavender 40/42 essential oil is the one used most by soap makers and candle makers. The name lavender comes from the Latin word lavare and means to wash. They named it this because people in ancient times loved to add the scented oil to their bath water. Lavender was also scattered across floors because it released a heady fragrance when it was stepped on. Today lavender 40/42 is probably the most prolifically used of all the essential oils. Lavender 40/42 oil is actually a blend of a few lavenders. Because of this, lavender 40/42 has the most consistent fragrance of all the lavenders. It is also the least expensive. Although lavender 40/42 has the lowest therapeutic properties of the various lavender oils, it is still considered antiseptic, anti-depressant, antispasmodic, diuretic, hypotensive, stimulant, sedative and has several other therapeutic properties.
Lavender 40/42 essential oil is the most floral of the lavender oils and is the scent most people associate with lavender. It is floral and herbaceous with a woodsy undertone. This oil is thin and ranges in color from dark yellow to dark yellow green. Lavender 40/42 blends beautifully with many other oils and contributes a strong middle note to formulas. Here a few recipes featuring lavender 40/42 essential oil that you might enjoy trying.
Calming Soap
- 4 oz coconut oil
- 4 oz olive oil
- 4 oz rice bran oil
- 4 oz palm oil
- 6 oz distilled water
- 2.25 oz lye
At trace:
- 2 teaspoons lavender 40/42 essential oil
- 2 teaspoons clary sage essential oil
- 2 teaspoons lemongrass essential oil
Blend your essential oils and set aside. Pour lye into distilled water and let cool to 110 degrees. Heat your carrier oils together to 110 degrees. Pour lye/water solution into carrier oils. Bring to medium trace and add essential oils. Pour into prepared molds, cover and let set for 24 hours. Remove from molds and let cure for 3 weeks.
English Gardens Soap
- 2 oz castor oil
- 4 oz olive oil
- 2 oz wt sunflower oil
- 4 oz wt soybean oil
- 4 oz wt lard
- 2.1 oz wt lye
- 7 ounces water
At trace:
- 2 teaspoons lavender 40/42 essential oil
- 2 teaspoons geranium Egyptian essential oil
- 2 teaspoons rose essential oil
Mix lye into water and let cool to 100 degrees. Heat carrier oils to 100 degrees. Add lye/water mixture to carrier oils. Bring to trace. Add blend of essential oils. Pour into molds. Cover, and let sit undisturbed for 24 hours. Remove from mold and let cure for 3-4 weeks.
Minty Melt and Pour Flea Repelling Dog Soap
- 2 lbs melt and pour soap base
- .64 oz castor oil
- .64 oz shea butter
- 1-tablespoon lavender 40/42 essential oil
- 1-tablespoon peppermint essential oil
Melt the soap base and add the castor oil and shea butter. Stir well to blend. Add your essential oils. Pour into molds, spritz with rubbing alcohol and let sit 3-4 hours before removing from molds.
Anti-tension Massage Oil
- 2 drops petitgrain essential oil
- 2 drops lavender 40/42 essential oil
- 2 drops sandalwood essential oil
- 2/3 oz any carrier oil
Blend together and use on neck, shoulders and temples.
