Lavender Toilet Water

I planted my lavender bush about 14 years ago, and apart from cutting and drying some of the flowers occasionally have generally left it to its own devices since then.  It’s grown rather scraggly and wild, but each summer I get a profusion of heavenly scented lavender flowers.

I’ve made the odd lavender bag for putting in drawers, I’ve made pot pourri for air freshening in the bathroom, but generally I’ve ended up with bunches of dried lavender hanging around the porch for a year shedding until the next season comes around.

I went back to my herb books this year, and read up on various cosmetic uses for Lavender.

According to John & Rosemary Hemphill’s What Herb is That?:

“Lavender water seems always to have been available. It is antiseptic for the skin, refreshing, and is especially recommended for oily complexion and pimples. Fresh or dried lavender flowers or leaves tied in a muslin bag and infused in hot bath water give the skin an all-over fragrance.”

But the book didn’t give instructions on how to turn lavender flowers into toilet water.  Google found me this recipe.  The blog its from appears somewhat neglected, so I have copied and pasted the contents here in case they disappear from the original:

Sustainable Lifestyle Toolbox: Make Your Own Lavender Toilet Water Clipped from: http://sustainablehowto.blogspot.co.nz/2008/03/make-your-own-lavender-toilet-water.html

Make Your Own Lavender Toilet Water

Lavender toilet water has a multitude of uses in the home. It is easy to make your own and save a little money at the same time.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups lavender flowers
• 700ml (24 fl oz) boiling water
• 2 tablespoons gin or vodka

Items needed

• Kettle or saucepan for boiling water
• Large ceramic bowl
• Refrigerator
• Sieve or colander for straining
• Sterilised, clean glass bottle
  

1. Pour the boiling water over the lavender flowers in a large ceramic bowl. Set aside for 24 hours at room temperature. This will permit the fragrance to infuse through the water.
2. Place the infusing mixture into the refrigerator to continue infusing for another 2 days.
3. Remove after 2 days. Strain the water through a sieve to remove the lavender flowers.
4. Add the alcohol and mix through.
5. Pour into a glass bottle and add an airtight lid. Homemade toilet water should be kept in the refrigerator.

I have made one batch so far using freshly cut flowers, and have another steeping in the fridge.

I’m planning to carry a small bottle of lavender water in my bag to freshen up during the day, and also as an ingredient for a few homemade cosmetic experiments in the near future.

Epiphany chalk house blessing

While I haven't set any New Year's resolutions this year, I would like to continue my focus of making faith relevant for the whole family, in the home setting.

 

Last year, when it was too late for Epiphany, I came across this website for an Epiphany Chalk House Blessing, and will give it a go with the family tomorrow.  Extract follows:

 

On Epiphany (or New Year) you can bless your house. You can make this as simple or as intricate as you like; include (liturgical) greeting (eg. “The Lord be with you…”), song or carol, holy water (sprinkling door, each room), reading (eg. Epiphany Gospel, start of John’s Gospel), more prayers, Lord’s Prayer, incense, assigning parts to different members of the household, collect for Epiphany. Many homes are the dwelling for one person – the blessing of a home is equally appropriate… (Continue reading…)

I’m finding the children seem to really enjoy these little rituals and traditions that I’m introducing them to.  I like the idea of blessing the home at the beginning of each year.  I’m posting this before I try it in case anyone else out there in blog-land wants to give it a go too.

Have a happy and blessed 2013 everyone.