It has been a busy time at Siam Botanicals HQ but finally we’re back on the blog! This month, the spotlight is on one of our favourite ingredients, lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia), in the second of our FOCUS series.
Lavender is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean. Its pretty purple flowers, evocative scent and the fact that many of its varieties are hardy and easy to grow make it a highly popular choice among gardeners. Lavender can be used as an ingredient in cooking, usually to infuse sweet dishes such as biscuits, shortbread and cakes, but is also an interesting addition to meat or fish marinades. It has long been used in a variety of beauty, personal care and cleaning products; in fact, it is thought to have been used in Roman times during bathing to help purify the body and spirit.
Lavender essential oil is steam distilled from the spikes of the flower. When you think of lavender farming, you might picture the vast and glorious fields of Provence in France, where lavender has been grown commercially for centuries. But it is also a flourishing industry in the UK, and this is where we source our essential oil.
Balancing Skin Conditioner and Natural Balance Face Serum
Lavender essential oil has a soft, herbaceous and deeply relaxing scent and is one of the most versatile essential oils in natural skincare and aromatherapy. It is perhaps best known for its ability to soothe and relax – we all know that a few drops on our pillow can promote sleep – but it has many other prized properties. Thanks to its antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, it can be used to treat cuts and scrapes and heal sunburn and other minor burns. It’s a ‘must’ for your medicine cabinet! In skin care, it tones and revitalises. It is suitable for all skin types but can also be used to target specific skin problems such as oily skin, acne, and psoriasis.
Lavender essential oil features in many Siam Botanicals products, from our Lavender Toning Mist to our Relax, Revive and Meditation Massage Oils. To achieve a perfectly balanced complexion, try this dynamic duo:
And don’t miss this bevy of beauties from our stunning Oriental range, featuring (among other nourishing 100% natural ingredients) aloe vera juice (all except Body Oil), rose hip oil (Milk Cleanser), coconut oil (Body Oil) and, of course, lavender essential oil!
Clockwise from top left: Oriental Body Oil; Oriental Body Lotion; Oriental Milk Cleanser; Oriental Conditioner; Oriental Shampoo