Everything is coming up LAVENDER for this month’s International Incident Party brought to us by Jeroxie. Yes lavender is the theme this month. I believe a lot of participants were a little concerned with this challenge as lavender may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But I am actually a fan of it, I just so happen to have a jar in my pantry and I have cooked twice recently with it to make a Lavender Ice Cream and a Lavender Lime Cake.
I wanted to use it in a different way this time around. At first I planned on a savory dish but then I came across a few homemade cosmetic recipes using lavender: here and here. I was sold, after all the preparation reads very much like any recipe. I settled on a lavender salve. You can use this lavender body butter lotion anywhere…your face, hands, feet, anywhere you want to soothe your skin. The final product is hard like a salve but easy to scoop out and melts like butter instantly with the heat of your skin.
Lavender Salve
2 tbsp almond oil
3 tbsp shea butter
1/4 tsp vitamin E
1 1/2 tsp dried lavender flowers
1/4 tsp cornstarch (reduces “greasy” feeling)
Direction:
- Put about an inch (2.5cm) of water in the bottom of a medium-sized pot and heat to a low simmer.
- Place a bowl in the pan of water.
- Place the shea butter and almond oil in the bowl and warm slowly over a low heat until the butters are melted.
- Stir in with a metal spoon the vitamin E and lavender and leave on a LOWEST heat fro 1h30min (a wooden spoon absorbs the scent of essential oils).
- Strain and return to bowl.
- Place bowl into a larger bowl filled with ice.
- Beat for several minutes using electric beaters until it starts to get nice and thick like whipped cream.
- Spoon into cosmetic jars.
How about a little martini while the lavender is infusing on the stove? Most lavender martini recipes I found required the use of lavender syrup. I did not care to make some so I found this instant one instead. If you find it too strong feel free to add a bit of orange juice.
Lavender Infused Martini
1/2 tsp lavender
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp sugar
2 ounces quality gin or vodka
- Muddle the lavender in the lemon juice.
- Add all the ingredients to a shaker with an ice cube.
- Shake about 20 times and strain in a glass.
Check out more of my natural beauty recipes:
Always wanted to try home made body products. Thanks for the post. I love lavender so relaxing!
body lotion? really? WOW, great job on being the most creative with the lavender theme
Evelyne…even though I’m really not a fan of lavender…how could I not appreciate your post…so well done!!! Maybe next year we can go visit the lavender fields in the Eastern Townships…because…yes, I do actually love to visit the fields of purple ;O)
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
Whoa, a recipe for lavender lotion, finally someone made something not edible. Must smell heavenly. The martini is to drink after being pampered with your lotion. 🙂
What a great idea, making your own body lotion instead! It must be so great for your skin, being free of nasty chemicals and things. I would be most happy to slather on some body butter and relax with a lavender martini or two.
Although I’m definitely beaten to the comment, this is a great Christmas gift. You could make nice little labels and wrap it with a little sprig!
…. and then share a martini with the receiver 😀
Thanks for answering my question 🙂 I shall try…
Oooh. This is a fantastic idea! Like Joumana, I have a bag of lavender and I can’t imagine how to use t all … well, now I can! I esp like the way you think re: having a martini while you make the lotion!!!
@ I thought you did not want to anymore Casey lol. I’ll need your address again please.
@Joumana, I filled my pot which was marked 70gr and had a bit left over. Around 1/3 cup
Your post makes me want to have a spa day… complete with cocktails! I love the martini idea. Oh and I still have a package that I need to send you from Bulgaria. It has been sitting on my bench since June… Sorry!
This is such a fun and useful post; I still have a bag of lavender and there are only so many cookies and cakes one can do! Love the idea of the cream ; just how much cream does one get with this recipe?
@ Judy, the martini is not overwhelming. Just muddle the lavender a bit and then you strain it. You can add less at first if you think it may be too much.
Awesome! Lavender body butter… I love it! This might be a silly question, but how lavender-y is the martini?
They are both fantastic! What an excellent gift the body butter would make. I sure would like to try make my own.
Adding the Lavender Martini to my cocktail repertoire!
Thank you for sharing!
Ooh, love the martini and that body butter looks luscious!
Oh very nice! I want some lavender body butter!!!
Ohh what a change from the lavender ‘edibles’. Though I might just be tempted to lick this salve…..
Great idea! Also liking the sound of that martini…
Totally thought about this as a xmas gift too!
Fabulous! Lavender body butter? I think I might have to make some of this really soon. Oh and the martini? Yes please!
OMG! I can make my very own lavender butter lotion? Love this idea… need to check out all the ingredients and make it… great xmas idea…. HUGSSS!