Sunday, July 22, 2012

Good Business Practices

I always wonder what causes someone to not have good business practices and then when they are pointed out to them get angry.  So rather than talk about the negatives, let's talk about what good business practices are.

If you are in business you are selling something, either a product or a service, but you are selling.  A boss of mine from many, many years ago told me there are three things a business can offer:

  1. Quality
  2. Service
  3. Price
Which two of those three do you really want ?  For me the answer is always Quality and Service, price is quite a distance beneath that.  You know that old adage you get what you pay for?  Well it is true.

I have always taken pride in my ability, and my desire, to produce both products and services that are above the rest of the pack.  In order to do that I need to charge a fair price because I have a lot of hidden costs such as research, development and training.  My training is industry related and I am proud to have achieved my Certified Clinical Aromatherapist designation.  Essential oils are over the counter drugs and I want to use them in my products in a responsible manner, knowing what the contra-indicators are and what warnings, if any, need to be on my products.

I also look at what other countries are doing differently, and perhaps better, than what we are here in Canada.  I must say that our legislation is fair and protects our consumers and not nearly as challenging to meet as others such as the European Union has done with theirs.  We don't have to get safety assessments for our products before selling.  We do have to register our formulations with Health Canada prior to, or within 10 days of starting to sell that particular product.  In other words me must be responsible for what we do.  Interesting concept that.

So back to good business practices.  What is good for the industry is good for the people in it.  You will never find me trying to undercut my competition, real or imagined.  Because I do supply a product that people want I have a hard time keeping enough product available.  If I were to try and undercut the market I wouldn't be able to keep up and I would have to start cutting corners. Let's go back to choosing the 2 out 3 things you can ask from a business.  What's going to be your best deal in the long run.  Most businesses that feel the need to undercut in order to move product are ones that aren't moving product in the first place.  There are lots of reasons for that and only they can say what it is.  It could be as innocent as a poor marketing plan and are therefore not reaching the market they need to reach.  But hold on a minute - this is bad for the overall industry because they are setting unrealistic expectations from the general market that they should be able to buy your product/service at that price.  So this would fall under bad business practices.

Another good business practice is to not talk badly about your competition to your customers.  Eventually you are going to turn them off because people don't like being sold through a negative sales pitch.  Talk about what makes you product different and better.  If you don't know then you need to sit down and figure it out.  If you don't believe in your business no-one else is going to either.  You went into business for a reason.  Always try to remember why you are walking this path.  Usually people go into business because it is a passion; always hold onto that passion - let it shine in your day to day business practices.  It is okay to talk to other business owners about challenging business owners that are not using good business practices, and it is even better when you question that business directly.  But know that you are not likely going to change how they do business and you could end up in hot water so choose your business group wisely.

My business is governed by Health Canada and I take a great deal of pride in knowing that I am doing everything I need to do and so much more.  I take pride in my business practices, in my products and the services I offer my clients.  There are businesses I greatly admire, there are business owners for whom I have a great deal of respect.  These are the people who will influence me as I build my business.

What makes you stand out from the crowd?

Friday, July 13, 2012

Playing in the Sun...

I love sitting  here on my deck working and watching the ocean.  We have so much sea life which shows up at the most unexpected times.  Of course you have to be looking at just the right moment which means I keep looking up hoping to catch sight of the many dolphins, porpoises, and whales that are in the area on any given day.  Plus I have an amazing jasmine vine that is right beside the deck climbing on an arbour and right now it is loaded with flowers and the scent is pure heaven.

My brother is planning a visit this summer so we're planning a kayak trip while he is here into the Copeland Islands (aka the Ragged Isles) where we know there are harbour porpoises, harbour seals, jelly fish (of course and I so love them) as well as sea lions!  That really is the best way to catch up with our water friends is being out on the water on a regular basis.

Yesterday I picked up 50 lbs of lye and 12 liters of olive oil so I'm set tomorrow to get some soap made.  I am so far behind I'm pretty sure I'm first.  So tomorrow I plan on getting solid shave soap made in a variety of fragrances as well as some more Salish Egg Soap scented Lilac as well as more of my cocoa butter soaps plus a baby soap which will be goat's milk, Olive oil and castor oil.  This is a really, really gentle soap and I leave it unscented because young children really shouldn't be exposed to a lot of fragrance until they are 3 or so.  I'm going to get some more liquid soap made as well as shower gel as there seems to be people wanting it.

We are having such a flea outbreak again this year that my poor dogs are just going stupid even with flea meds.  We've had to put them on Benedryl to try and relieve some of the itching and it does help but I think I need to reduce the dosage as it does make them rather dopey and sleepy.

So I'll leave you now and hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Cheers

Monday, July 9, 2012

Dream It - Live It

“The most important thing in life is to stop saying "I wish" and start saying "I will". Consider nothing impossible, then treat possibilities as probabilities.”~ Charles Dickens

 These words couldn't have arrived at a better time. I have resigned from my "day job" and am back to focusing on my soap business.  This is a challenge, but I am up for it.


Through cold calling I managed to get an order from the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver.  This is an exquisite hotel with a lot of history attached to it.  I am hoping that this order will lead to additional orders over the next few months.  One thing it has already done for me was get an amazing story printed in our local newspaper.  You can read it at http://www.prpeak.com/articles/2012/06/27/business/doc4fea4731402a2199209267.txt

They even had my mug on the front of the newspaper!


I'm diving into some new soaps as well as making some old favourites which I will start blogging about.


I hope you have an amazing day!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Oops, sorry for being so absent for so long!  No excuses - I've just not been diligent enough.  I do however have some news.  I'm back to making soap full time and have left my sales position with the magazine.  So now I can focus on growing this business.

I love my retail customers so I will continue to sell retail on a monthly basis here in town plus have my on-line store available.  I am however, going to move more towards the wholesale end of the business since Powell River is such a small community.  It would seem that the universe is with me and I already am getting inquiries from Bed & Breakfasts as well as a nice order from a high end hotel.  The hotel wanted unscented product for the customers who request it.  I shipped the order out yesterday.

I still have hours and hours of organizing to do for the business in the basement suite where I take up 2 rooms and will shortly be taking up a 3rd!

So that's my news and I will try to be better about posting here....

Cheers and I hope you have an amazing day................

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

Cheesecake Cupcake SOAP!!!





 Cheesecake Soap Saga Continues




The next step in the the cream cheese soap saga is the cupcake.  This one has made using olive, coconut & sweet almond oils.  To this I added the cream cheese and scented it with a new fragrant oil I just got that smells like fruit loops cereal so I am calling these cupcakes Loopy Fruit..

This time the "frosting" set up a little harder than I was hoping for and the fragrance had a fair amount of vanilla in it so I have a beige soap.  Of course beige is a natural colour for cakes so I think these will be okay.

Next up ....... beer shampoo!  Stay tuned.....


Saturday, April 14, 2012

Taa Daaa - Cherry Cheesecake Soap is in the house.

Cheesecake Soap Label



 I think I might have mentioned that I love this soap?  Maybe at least once, or more?  In case you missed it, I really do love this one.  So much so that I am developing a whole line and I can now introduce to you the label that you will find attached to all of them, whether they be cupcakes or traditional bars.

The soap is much softer than others I have made and it will take the full 4 weeks, if not 6 weeks to cure out.  Next time I make it I will reduce the amount of water in the recipe as well as add beeswax to it or sodium lactate to get a harder bar of soap.

The lather this soap produces is worth the wait though, thick and creamy, just like washing with a lotion.  My next batch will be made up as cupcakes and I already have the ingredients for 2 so I think I'll do Mango Papaya and Fruity Loops.  I will make the icing/frosting of a different recipe so I can get it thick enough, soon enough to put on cupcake.  I am really hoping to be at this tomorrow.

Thank you for joining me in my rambles and see you next time.

Cheers




Friday, April 13, 2012

What a week.....

It has been a week.  Spent it sick with a rotten old cold trying to do two jobs at once, which is never good and then yesterday I decided to get into a fight with my garden turtle - he won. LOL  So limping and coughing today.

The good news is that it is the weekend and I get to make soap.  I'm going to work on some more soap cupcakes as well as cheesecake soaps.  Yup I owe you all some pictures.  Here is one of the cupcake soaps I made last weekend.  Next time I will pour the soap right into these cupcake papers and make the icing just that little bit higher.  Overall I am happy with how they look.

The cheesecake soaps are a success too in that they make the most amazing lather I have yet to experience.  The only problem with them is that they take forever to set up.  So this weekend I am going to combine the two.  Make cheesecake cupcake soaps.  How does that sound?  I got some amazing fragrance today called fruit loops and it smells just like the fruit loops cereal that I loved as a kid, so that will be one fragrance I'll use and then maybe a citrus scented one.  So many choices.

I have confirmed that I will be at The Powell River Blues Festival the first weekend in June.  Now that is going to be fun.  You can learn more about the festival here including the line-up.  If you can come up for the show it will certainly be worth your while.  At least if you love the Blues!

I'm still trying to decide if I am going to do the Renaissance Festival in Langley, BC.  Stay tuned as I make up my mind.  That one is always fun, but a lot of work and a lot of expense.

So next up I should have some pictures for you of the Cherry Cheesecake soap.

Edited to add:

I've been asked for pictures of that notorious turtle who is so incredibly vicious and and strong!

So here they are.... LOL
Bad turtle!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Stepping Outside the Box

A soapmaker friend suggested that cheese might be a really great ingredient in soap.  After all we use all kinds of dairy including yogurt and eggs too, so why not cheese.  Of course I had to jump in with both feet.

I chose to make a cream cheese soap and do it cold processed.  I fragranced it Cherry and am naming the soap Cherry Cheesecake.

This was a really, really interesting experiment and I thought that there was a good chance I would end up with soap on a stick.  I decided  that I would melt the cream cheese along with my coconut oil.  That didn't go so good, it didn't melt!  So now I decided to add the olive oil and stickblend it all together and that was interesting, it looked like rice particles.  Hmmmm, now what.  Deciding that I needed to be ready for anything I prepared my crock pot in case I had to hot process this.

I added colour and lye.  Started blending, it looked like it was going to rice, which means that it is actually separating into different parts with the fats solidifying out of the oils.  Kept mixing, it came together.  Time to add fragrance.  Since it was a fruit scent I expected it to turn into greased lightening so I had my mould ready to go and handy.  Well this is strange - it's not thickening so I keep blending.  20 minutes later it is still not getting thick.  Of course my first thought is that what I thought was lye water wasn't.  I turned off the stick blender and look around to see if I had somehow made a mistake.  Nope I but the lye in just like I'm supposed to.  I decided to let it sit for a minute to see if it would start to move when I wasn't looking after all that happens when I forget to have my moulds ready.  Stubborn thing it still doesn't want to go beyond what we call thin trace.  What that means is everything is emulsified and it is properly mixed, but I usually like to get it to a medium trace which looks like pudding so I can play with the tops.  Back to blending but my poor stick blender is getting a little but warm.  Time to just pour it and hope for the best.  I poured it and had a little bit more that wouldn't fit into the regular log mould.  This is the part I would usually use to creates peaks on top of the soap so I poured it into some rose moulds.


I checked on the soap and it has thickened up nicely so it is going to be just fine.  Very excited to try it, but it will be a couple of days at least before I can cut it. 

I will do a follow-up post when I cut.  These will not b available for sale until the end at the of April.

Cheers

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Fleas & Ticks & Your Pets

We are quickly approaching the season where you are going to start having some itchy pets.  So let's talk about what you can do at home to help them, naturally.

Let's start with your cat.  Go see the vet for flea and tick medicine.  A cat's metabolism is so different from any other animal that essential oils build to toxic levels so fast that you go from itchy to very sick to dead in a very short period of time.  Sounds dramatic doesn't it, well unfortunately it is true.  As a clinical aromatherapist one of my pet peeves are the snake oil sellers who are going to try and sell you their natural essential oil cures for your cat.  If you love your cat, run, don't walk, away from that person.  If you use essential oils in your home, make sure your cat can get out of the room and that there is lots of fresh air available to them.

Okay, now that I have the drama out of the way, let's talk about your other pets.  In particular we're going to talk about your dogs and if you horses, they will be addressed by the same treatments.  Horses are bothered more by midges, flies and mosquitoes, but the treatments I'm going to describe for dogs are very effective for the other insects deterrents too. 

First, never, ever use essential oils in their pure form, you must use a carrier oil for these.  If you can get a pure, unscented lotion that isn't full of silicones and a bunch of chemicals then this would be a great vehicle to use to apply your essential oil blend.  If you must, get some water into a spray bottle and add your oils to that.  The problem with this method is that the oils are not mixing with the water so now you are applying drops of pure oil rather something that is cohesive.  So yes, I could go into some self-promotion here, but I'll leave that to my store.  If you do want more information on any discussion, please, feel free to email me.

Now let's move into the essential oils that are going to be the most effective to you in creating something safe to use at home.

Lavender essential oil is the one oil that is a must for any home.  This has to be the hardest working essential oil out there, doing not just double duty but a multiple that I can't come up with.  Read my post on Lavender here to be able to see all the properties.  Lavender is insecticidal as well so it is good to include in your formulae.

Lemongrass essential oil is another great ingredient when you are creating something to protect your fur baby against insects.  This oil is analgesic, anti-depressant, antimicrobial. anti-pyretic, antiseptic, astringent, bactericidal, carminative (helps relieve gas and bloating), deodorant, diuretic (fluid reduction), febrifuge (reduces fever), fungicidal, galactagogue (increases lactating/milk production), insecticidal, nervine or nervous system sedative and tonic.  It is also an insecticidal.

Citronella essential oil goes without saying.  Wonderful insecticidal properties with this one.

Tea Tree essential oil is another good ingredient for this.

Now here is what you need to know, do not ever apply these without being diluted.  Therapeutic levels for an animal is 3%.  You also need to avoid this is you are pregnant or nursing as these oils are not recommend for your use.  Also, please, research each oil so you will know what the contra-indicators are.  You may have health issues that will limit your own exposure to these oils.  Remember, just because it's natural doesn't mean it's safe.  Would you take a roll in Poison Oak or Ivy?  Nope.  Are you going to get honey from a hive without protective clothing?  Not a chance.  These are the things you need to think about.  Treat essential oils with the respect they deserve, they are over the counter drugs and the whole reason we learned to create them was to take medicinal qualities and increase the effectiveness in small quantities.

I hope you found this post helpful and perhaps even thought provoking.  To use these oils on your horse you again are going to follow the same guidelines.  And make sure you do not  get this into their eyes or other mucus membranes....

Cheers

Monday, April 2, 2012

Wine & Cheese ~ Soap ~

Yup you read that right!  There are a few of us that are going to experiment with adding cheese to soap.  The logic behind it is that so many dairy products are already used in soap, so why not cheese?  It took me a bit to decide that this really is feasible, or at least I think it is.

I have chosen to make 2 different soaps.  I want to make a wine & cheese blend since they go so well together so for this one I am going to use a wine fragrance and cheddar as my cheese.  In the other I'm going to use cream cheese and then use a sweet scent, perhaps cherry, perhaps fudge, or maybe even a combination.  The possibilities are endless.

I am quite looking forward to trying this out and I am really hoping it works.  To start out I will be making a 2 lb batch of each.

Wish me luck and I promise to take lots of photos when I make it.

Cheers

Wild Weather

With wind warnings for our area of up to 90 kph you know the sea is going to be dancing so after seeing some clients I decided to take a drive so I could get some pictures.  Here are the results:





There is nothing more beautiful than the graceful violence of the sea during a storm.  We've had a large amount of major wind events this year as you can see by the logs on this beach.  I enjoy walking the beach after a storm because you just never know what treasures the sea will give up.

I hope you have enjoyed these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.  I actually took 120+ pictures today, but I'm pretty sure you don't want to see them all...

Chat soon,

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Still Settling In

I am still settling in and figuring out all the ins and outs of blogging.  I decided to use Blogger in order to create a blog that will be easy to follow and find.

So here I sit, in front of the computer trying to decide what to post today.

On March 15th we celebrated our 3rd anniversary and I realized that even after 3 years this business continues to evolve, just as a child does.  Three years ago I wouldn't have believed what Malaspina Soap Factory has achieved.  I started out wanting to make a simple soap; one that be contain this and that, but not that and the other thing.  I've discovered I like this, that and the other thing, and so do my customers.  I have discovered that people respond when you are passionate about something; they will understand when your belief system is not their's if you respect where their path is taking them too.

The one thing that has not changed in the 3 years of business is requiring the best quality ingredients.  Through this undying and unchanging requirement I have been able to design 3 totally different lines of soap.  One satisfies my need to honour those who have come before me, to the homesteaders in my family who believed, and still do, that you don't waste anything, that you treat the land with respect thanking it for what it provides you.  I am fortunate enough to have been able to churn butter, milk a cow and get the eggs. There were some things I was just too much a city girl to handle, but my grandparents still insisted I experience them at least once. For them I developed my homesteader line of products which has tallow, lanolin, egg, goat milk, all types of dairy and most of all, respect.

After that we remember that not everyone shares our lifestyle choices and for them I developed a line respecting the beliefs of those who prefer to not have animal products in their soaps.  And then for those that wish to take it one step further I have created the Savon de Naturelle line of soaps.  This product line is created using vegetable oils & fruit butters as well as infused oils, herbs, botanicals, & clays to create colour.  Essential Oils to create a beautiful scent.

I do know that I can't please everyone, but oh man, I am going to try.

I must also say that there have been so very many people who have inspired me.  Other soap makers have inspired me from day one and helped me discover that I can push out of the box because of the other side of that self-imposed wall are so many new ways of thinking, creating and doing.

Hmmm, this is beginning to sound like a thank you speech.... perhaps it is.  As I move forward with this blog, I will tell you what I created, how I made it and I promise, lots of pictures.  We'll talk about different products that I offer from humble castille (100% Olive Oil) soaps to shampoos and all the way to shaving products.  I hope you'll visit often, make suggestions and ask questions.

C'ya soon!

Lavender, Sweet Lavender

Lavender is such a well know herb and essential oil that we seem to almost take it for granted.  In Europe it is used as a flavouring and as a child I seem to remember some candy that was lavender flavoured.  
Many people believe it is okay to put lavender essential oil on your skin neat, in other words without any diluting and for most people it is okay to do that.  However, I discovered something that surprised me that I would like to share with you.
I work with essential oil quite a bit as an aromatherapist and I was one of those that advocated using Lavender essential oil on your skin without any dilution until one day I was scenting some product with it and put my pipette down on a styrofoam plate.  I only had it there for a less than a minute and when I went to pick it up again I saw that the lavender had eaten through the plate!  Needless to say I was shocked.  It gave me a new respect for my old friend.  So now I recommend that you put it into a carrier oil to use even though 9 times out of 10 people won't react.  But if it will eat through styrofoam I think I would like to play it safe.
Here is some more information on Lavender.  This is an article that I wrote for Saponifier magazine back in 2010 that I am reprinting here for your information.

Lavender, Sweet Lavender
Now is what you have in your cupboard really lavender and if it is, where was it grown and harvested?  Who would have believed that something as common as lavender can be so complicated?  Let’s list the different types shall we?
  • Lavender 40/42  (Lavandula Augustifolium) This one is grown in the USA & it is extracted through Distillation.  Here is the typical gas Chromatography Analysis:
CONSTITUENT
PERCENTAGE
alpha Pinene + beta Pinene + Camphene
1%
1,8-Cineole
1.4%
cis Ocimene
4.5%
trans Ocimene
2.8%
Camphor
0.4%
Linalool
36.5%
Linalyl acetate
42.5%
beta Caryophyllene
3.2%
Terpinen-4-ol
2.4%
Lavandulyl acetate
2.2%
beta Farnesene
1.3%
Lavandulol
0.5%
Borneol + alpha Terpineol
1.1%

  • Lavender Oil Bulgarian  (Lavandula Augustifolium) This one is of course grown in Bulgaria and is also extracted through Steam Distillation.  Here is its typical Gas Chromatography Analysis:
CONSTITUENT
PERCENTAGE
alpha Pinene + beta Pinene + Camphene
1%
Limonene
0.2%
1,8-Cineole
4.1%
cis Ocimene
1%
trans Ocimene
0.6%
Camphor
0.6%
Linalool
32.3%
Linalyl acetate
33.5%
beta Caryophyllene
1.5%
Terpinen-4-ol
1.4%
Lavandulyl acetate
1.2%
beta Farnesene
2.6%
Lavandulol
1.3%
Borneol + alpha Terpineol
1.2%

  • Lavender Oil High Alpine (Lavandula Augustifolium) is grown in France at high altitudes as indicated by its name.  Steam Distillation is used here as well.  This is its Gas Chromatography Analysis:
CONSTITUENT
PERCENTAGE
alpha Pinene + beta Pinene + Camphene
.3%
Limonene
0.2%
1,8-Cineole
1%
cis Ocimene
2.8%
trans Ocimene
2.6%
Camphor
0.5%
Linalool
33.4%
Linalyl acetate
44.3%
beta Caryophyllene
2.9%
Terpinen-4-ol
2.1%
Lavandulyl acetate
2.2%
beta Farnesene
1.3%
Lavandulol
0.3%
Borneol + alpha Terpineol
2.8%

  • Lavender Oil Spike (Lavandula latifolia).  This not a true lavender which is grown in Spain.  Following is its typical Gas Chromatography Analysis:
CONSTITUENT
PERCENTAGE
alpha Pinene
1.8%
Camphene
0.3%
Beta Pinene
2.3%
Sabinene
1%
Limonene
0.5%
1,8-Cineole
35%
Camphor
16.2%
Linalool
33.2%
Linalyl acetate
5.9%
beta Caryophyllene
0.4%
Terpinen-4-ol
0.4%
Lavandulyl acetate
0.9%
beta Farnesene
0.4%
Lavandulol
0.2%
Borneol + alpha Terpineol
1.5%

  • Lavandin Oil (Lavandula hybrida sumian)  Once again we have something that is not a true lavender but rather a hybrid between true lavender and spike lavender.  This is grown in France and is also steam distilled for extraction.  Let’s take a look at its Gas Chromatography Analysis shall we?
CONSTITUENT
PERCENTAGE
alpha Pinene + beta Pinene + Camphene
1.2%
Limonene
7%
1,8-Cineole
3.9%
cis Ocimene
2.6%
trans Ocimene
1.7%
Camphor
7.8%
Linalool
43.5%
Linalyl acetate
23.3%
beta Caryophyllene
1.2%
Terpinen-4-ol
0.9%
Lavandulyl acetate
1.5%
beta Farnesene
0.9%
Lavandulol
0.5%
Borneol + alpha Terpineol
3.4%

As you can see from the above information is that there are at least five (5) common Lavender types with two of them not true Lavenders.  This is something we all need to be aware of.  Lavandin Oil is often mistaken for true lavender which is important if you plan on using it therapeutically.  If you are using it strictly as a fragrance for your products and are keeping you percentages at 3% or lower then it is generally a safe product, however make sure you read the contra-indicators further on in this monograph.  Spike Lavender is also often mistaken for the real thing.  The key here is to look at INCI name as well as the monographs. Lavandin Oil is a hybrid created by crossing true lavender with Spike lavender and is the close to true lavender and you can see if has the same constituents but in significantly different percentages. Spike lavender is missing trans Ocimene and has Sabinene in it. 



Let’s now examine how Lavender is used and to do that we need to look at its actions:
  • Analgesic
  • Anticonvulsive
  • Antidepressant
  • Antimicrobial
  • Antirheumatic 
  • Antiseptic
  • Antispasmodic
  • Antitoxic
  • Carminative
  • Cholagogue (medicinal agent which promotes the discharge of bile from the system, purging it downward)
  • Choleretic  (stimulates production of bile in the liver)
  • Cicatrisant (healing by creating the wound to close through scar tissue)
  • Cordial (a stimulant/tonic)
  • Cytophylactic (stimulates regeneration of cells)
  • Deodorant
  • Diuretic
  • Emmenagogue (induces or assists menstruation)
  • Hypotensive (lowers blood pressure)
  • Insecticide
  • Nervine (strengthening and toning to the nerves as well as the nervous system)
  • Parasticide
  • Rubefacient (substance that causes redness of the skin , possible irritation)
  • Sedative
  • Stimulant
  • Sudorific (causes sweating)
  • Tonic
  • Vermifuge (expels intestinal worms)
  • Vulnerary (helps heal wounds and sores through external application)

That’s quite the list isn’t it and an impressive one at that!  Something else you should know about lavender essential oil is that when used with another essential oil it will enhance the properties and actions of the other oil(s). As a First Responder we were trained that oxygen is never wrong to apply, well this holds true for Lavender as well.  Even though we see differences between the different lavenders they all carry many of the same properties, they may vary as to how well each will work on certain things because these variances exist, but they all work.  As you can also see in general we are talking physical uses; emotional, spiritual and mental responses also exist and it is well know that any scent will create psychosomatic response since memory is deeply stimulated by scent.  Our spiritual wellbeing is directly linked to our physical and they tend to reflect each other, so when we treat one the other is also going to respond in a positive manner.
Folk Traditions have long held sway with people who grew up close to the land, they have been handed down through the centuries, mother to daughter, physician to apprentice since time began.  Through the paleontological record we can see even the ancients used herbs to care for themselves medically as well as part of flavourings for their food.  Lavender has a sweet scent as it grows and is an edible plant.  By making teas and decoctions not only were they having something good to drink but one that would also assist with a great many illnesses.  Lavender was used to keep insects away in poor homes where straw was used for their floors, beds and roofs, otherwise life would have been unbearable, even by the old standards.  Lavender was also used to ease stomach upsets, it is also well known for helping a person relax or sleep.  What’s interesting is that lavender not only relaxes & soothes but it also stimulates, strange but true.  Let’s face it, when we’re relaxed we’re far more able to take on new challenges.  Lavender can also be used to work on the following areas too:
  • Cosmetic Water
  • Insect repellent
  • Linen scenting/freshening
  • Spirit of Lavender makes a wonderful restorative tonic for fainting, giddiness, colic and spasms.
  • Footbaths
  • Toothache
  • Neuralgia
  • Sprains
  • Rheumatism
  • Hysteria
  • Palsy
  • Fear
In aromatherapy it is used for skin care, food flavouring, cosmetics, circulation, muscles, joints, respiratory system, the digestive system, the immune system and the nervous system.
 The scent of lavender is recognized by almost everybody from some point of their life and almost all of us will have an emotional reaction to it whether we realize we’re having one or not.  It is most of the most recognized fragrance that mankind has.

It is worthy of us to take a moment and look at Spike Lavender.  It has a place in our herbal pharmacy as well.  Like true lavender there are a few different species and their qualities are going to differ from place to place.  According to Julia Lawless the French Spike Oil is reputed to be a more delicate, aromatic scent than the Spanish variety.  This holds true with all of the Lavenders, you just need to place them side by side to see the differences. 
Spike Lavender also brings to the table a few different qualities.  According to the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia Spike Lavender is indicated for flatulent dyspepsia, colic, depressive headaches and topically for rheumatic pain.

Lavandin is the one I find most laypeople mistake for lavender and I see it interchanged a lot.  It does not have a long history in herbal remedies and folklore, but it is very popular for use as a scenting agent in soaps, lotions and other cosmetic products.  This is wonderful, but you still need to make sure that you are aware of medicinal or therapeutic properties of each essential oil, or herb you use.  In aromatherapy lavandin has similar uses to lavender but you need to keep in mind that it is more penetrating and rubefacient (more likely to cause skin irritation) with a sharper scent that true lavender.  It is good for respiratory circulatory and muscular conditions.

Precautions and Contra-Indicators
As wonderful as lavender is, it has its own set of precautions and contraindications which we also must examine.
It used to be believed that you could safely take essential oils orally, but the general consensus in the aromatherapy world is that this is not a good idea and something to be avoided.  If you feel the need to take any essential oil orally you are far better off buying the herb and decocting it or making a tea with it.  Even then, make sure you know if the substance is toxic, just because it’s natural doesn’t make it safe, arsenic is natural I doubt I want a tea made from it.  So make sure you are using what is appropriate in the method best suited to it.
Lavender is one of the safest essential oils, however, like anything else there are dangers.  Pregnant women in their first trimester should avoid all essential oils, after the first trimester you can start to use Lavender essential oil again but at a lower dosage, 50% or less.  Remember that essential oils bypass the placental barrier so what you’re getting so does your unborn child.  Newborns should have any essential oils until their 3rd month so in my opinion, you should avoid all essential oils during your pregnancy and until the baby is 3 months old if you are breast feeding.
Another risk group is people who are taking anti-coagulation meds, or have haemophilia, as lavender does contain small amounts of coumarin which is also an anti-coagulator.  If you are using homeopathic therapies, you need to discuss with your doctor any and all essential oils you are using or plan on using as they can potentially interfere with those treatments.  The same goes for your medical doctor.  If you know you are going to be having surgery, then it is a good idea to quit using Lavender 2 weeks prior to surgery as this is one of those essential oils that can negate the effects of anaesthetic.

In conclusion, Lavender Essential Oil is one of the safest essential oils out there and can be rubbed directly on your skin in most instances.  There are always going to be those who are sensitive to it so it is recommended that you dilute it with a carrier oil like Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, etc.  Lavender blends quite nicely with most other essential oils but here are a few blends that you might like to try:
  • Lavender vanilla
  • Lavender rose
  • Lavender patchouli
  • Lavender orange
  • Lavender rose cedarwood
  • Lavender with any of the citrus oils

Try blending with chamomile, frankincense, rose geranium, geranium, or any of your other favourites.  You will be surprised and delighted by how versatile this precious oil is.

Bibliography:
  • Julia Lawless – The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils
  • International Certified Aromatherapy Institute Class Manuals by Marlene Mitchell
  • Valerie Ann Worwood – The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy

I hope you enjoyed this article.
Cheers