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FAQS – Sonoma Lavender

What differentiates Sonoma Lavender products from other lavender products?

Sonoma Lavender has over 20 years of experience in creating superior products with only the finest grades of lavender and lavender essential oils available in the World. We only use the highest quality ingredients which may be difficult to source in some years and come at a premium cost. But it’s well worth it. Our products are still mostly handcrafted in northern California’s beautiful Sonoma Valley with meticulous care, love, and fine attention to detail. 

Where can I buy your products?

Our lavender products are readily available for purchase both online and in spa, gift shops and specialty stores.

What are the common uses for lavender?

Lavender is commonly used for anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It is also used for depression, dementia, pain after surgery, and many other conditions such as sleep disorders. Lavender contains an oil that seems to have sedating effects and might relax certain muscles. It also seems to have antibacterial and antifungal effects. -Webmd.com. Lavender is effective at treating acne flare-ups or nasty cold sores. It’s great as an insect repellent to repel pests. See the many ways you can use lavender essential oil here.

What products are made from lavender?

The variety of lavender products that are available is amazing. The produce of the lavender plant has therapeutic properties, is beautiful, is edible, and smells great! It is used in Bath & Body products, aromatherapy, heatable, chillable neck and body relaxation and therapeutic care products, food products, sachets, candles, pet products and many more!

Lavender is extremely versatile and is included in a huge variety of products today.  Lavender hand sanitizer, for instance, is extremely effective for sanitizing hands. Lavender-scented linen sprays, room mists candles, and diffusers are ideal for adding that elegant touch of relaxation to your home.

Achy and tired muscles can be soothed with our lavender-infused heatable spa products. These products include neck pillows, blankets, mittens, masks, wraps, and gorgeous spa booties in soft and luxurious Arctic Circle faux fur or many other choice fabrics to help soothe and relax sore feet. We combine the calming scent of lavender with moist heat for a luxurious at-home spa experience never to be forgotten. Robes are also available with lavender sachets in organza to easily pop into the pocket of your robe or your storage drawer. This keeps your robe smelling gorgeous and you both calm and relaxed.

Our lavender bath and body collections include shower gels, body lotions, bubble baths, bath salts, massage oils, foot balms, and specialized lavender hand creams. You can even make your own bug repellent spray using our pure essential lavender oil mixed with water. 

What are the properties of lavender?

Lavender essential oil contains antioxidants and is one of the more popular and versatile essential oils in use today, especially in the practice of aromatherapy. It’s derived from the plant Lavandula angustifolia which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. 

What are the benefits of lavender?

Lavender oil is most commonly used in aromatherapy and is believed to have antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties to help treat minor burns and bug bites. It’s a wonderful natural remedy and useful for treating anxiety, insomnia, motion sickness, and feelings of nausea. The antioxidant activity of lavender can contribute to healing wounds and one study found that lavender is an effective remedy for postoperative pain due to its anti-inflammatory capabilities. Applying diluted lavender oil to your abdomen during your menstrual cycle can even help alleviate uncomfortable menstrual cramps. Lavender is packed with antioxidants to help nourish and care for your skin and hair so it is also a great additive to skincare formulas.  In addition, it is used in cooking, freshening linens and towels and so much more!

Does lavender help you sleep?

Lavender works as an anxiolytic (anxiety reliever) due to the way it interacts with the neurotransmitter GABA to help quiet the brain and body. Researchers who monitored sleep cycles with brain scans ascertained that lavender not only increases slow-wave sleep, but it also slows down the heartbeat and relaxes the muscles. Therefore, if you use lavender to help you sleep you will have a more restful sleep and wake up refreshed and ready to face a bright new day. 

How does lavender essential oil work?

It works exceptionally fast – way quicker than most medications. Within just a few seconds of inhaling lavender, it passes into the limbic system in the brain. This system is responsible for memory, emotions and the nervous system. It also regulates hormones, blood pressure, heart rate, and the ability to concentrate. What’s more, lavender oil easily penetrates the skin and is rapidly absorbed - it can take a mere 20 minutes for the oil to reach and benefit every cell in the body!

Is it safe to put lavender essential oil directly on your skin?

Lavender oil can benefit the skin in numerous ways. It can lessen acne, help lighten skin, and reduce wrinkles. It can even be used to treat other things, like improving hair health and digestion. Please keep in mind that you may need to dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil. -Healthline.com. Here’s how to safely use lavender oil to help treat and improve many skin conditions.

Does lavender essential oil stain fabrics?

No, pure lavender essential oil does not stain fabrics. The oil evaporates without leaving a grease stain on clothes or fabrics.

What are the side effects of lavender?

Although uncommon, lavender may cause skin irritations or allergic reactions in some individuals whereupon they should discontinue use immediately. Lavender may slow down the central nervous system and should not be used in conjunction with anesthesia and other medications given during or post-surgery.

Are lavender products safe during pregnancy?

Avoid using essential oils during the first trimester. The first trimester is the most critical period during pregnancy, and any risk of exposing the fetus to a potentially toxic substance should be avoided at all costs. Usually, in the second and third trimesters, lavender should be safe to use as your baby is more developed. Diluting your lavender oil is very important and will lower your risk for potential adverse reactions. Lavender oil can be easily diluted in some olive or coconut oil, whole milk, unscented creams, or even just plain water. If you are in doubt whether to use lavender or not during your pregnancy, consult with your doctor to make sure.

Will lavender essential oil calm and soothe my baby?

On babies older than 3 months, some essential oils can be used to help encourage sleep, calm anxiety, and even relieve symptoms of colic. Each essential oil is different. Straight essential oil must be diluted.  Lavender Massage Oil with pure essential oil is suggested.  -Healthline.com. For more information on how to use lavender for babies and children, please click here.

What type of lavender is best used in cooking?

The best edibles are English lavender varieties (Lavandula angustifolia) like Hidcote, Munstead, and Lady. These may be used for both sweet and savory dishes when used in small amounts. Try using lavender infused sugar. It is best to use fresh or dried lavender flowers; try a ratio of five to six parts sugar to one part lavender, then leave for 2-3 weeks, shaking the jar daily. Lavender-infused sugar goes beautifully in recipes that use honey, lemon or dark chocolate, and in custard or creamy desserts like Crème Brûlée. - https://thisnzlife.co.nz/

Can I use lavender to calm my pets?

Dogs have the most anxiety when there's a storm, when new things are happening in their environment (like a household move) that they don't understand, when they're at the vet or the groomer, and when they are alone for a long period of time.

Lavender is an effective calming agent for dogs and cats. Lavender seeds, flowers, and essential oils can be used for calming but in very small quantities, because their sense of smell is hundreds of times more powerful than ours. "A dog contains about 225-300 million smell receptors, as compared to just 5 million of these receptors being present in a human nose" (ScienceABC.com).  Dogs may find relief in toys and bedding that are stuffed with lavender -Petslady.com. Click here for more information on how to safely use lavender for your dog.

Does lavender repel insects?  

Lavender essential oil is effective at killing a wide variety of insects by interfering with the function of the insect’s neurotransmitter. Drops of lavender oil can be used directly on the larva of young bugs to kill them. Lavender contains a non-toxic compound called linalool which is used in many pest control products so it’s extremely effective also as a bug repellant spray. Simply mix a teaspoon of pure lavender oil with 500ml of water to create a natural insect repellent for most pests including bed bugs, mosquitoes, moths, fleas, flies, and spiders. 

While oil extracted from the flowers makes an effective mosquito repellent, just the plant itself can ward off unwelcome insects. Cockroaches hate the smell of lavender. Lavender essential oils work well for this purpose; you can dilute the oil and place it in a spray bottle, then spray surfaces where cockroaches have been a problem.

My dried lavender has lost its scent…why and how do I refresh?

Lavender buds hold their scent for many years. If you begin to miss the scent, you only need to give the dried lavender a quick squeeze to release the fragrant natural oils. You may also add some lavender essential oil to the flowers to rejuvenate the scent once it starts to fade.

My toddler swallowed some lavender essential oil…is it harmful? 

There is no need to panic. A small quantity shouldn’t be harmful. But, we suggest you call the Poison Control Center from some guidance. In the United States, you can call 1-800-222-1222 where you will be connected to the nearest center with doctors, nurses and pharmacists to assist. They are available 24/7 and according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, more than 70 percent of people who call a poison center get the help they need over the telephone without having to go to a doctor or the hospital.

Is the Lavender Barn open this weekend?

Regretfully, no. The Lavender Barn was lost in wildfires that devastated large parts of Sonoma and Napa Counties California in October 2017.

Can I visit your workshop in Santa Rosa, California to shop?

No, we are sorry, but we do not have a physical retail shop. Most years we hold a Warehouse Sale, for 3 hours on the first Saturday morning in December.  Contact customercare@sonomalavender.com to find out whether we are holding one this year.

Will you be having the Sonoma Lavender Festival at your farm in Kenwood again this year?

The festival was a huge success. Too huge. It became a traffic and parking nightmare. As a result, it is no longer practical to hold the annual festival.  There are, however, several other lavender farms in Sonoma County that you can research to see if they are holding a festival. Usually, such festivals are held in June each year. You might consider scheduling a visit to the lavender fields at nearby Bees N Blooms or Matanzas Creek Winery. Both are wonderful!

What are the Heated Spa Products insert ingredients?

The heated spa products are filled with flaxseed paired with the scent you are purchasing.

Why flaxseed?

Flaxseed emits moist heat which loosens tight muscles, relaxes and helps lessen pain. Flaxseed is comfortable and flexible in addition to evenly distributing heat unlike rice, corn or buckwheat. Because flaxseed contains 30-40% oil, it can be warmed and re-warmed without cooking the flax provided instructions are followed. Flaxseed chills without freezing so it stays malleable and not too cold. Unlike rice, corn or other natural warming materials used by some of our competitors, flax has great longevity without deterioration.

What are the Heatable/Chillable Spa Product covers made from?

Our covers are made from 100% Microfiber so they tend to be hypoallergenic and machine washable.

How do you warm the Heatable/Chillable Spa Products?

Microwave: Fold & place on the carousel in your microwave. Microwave ovens can vary significantly. So, first test heating your product in 30 second increments to learn what the best length is for your particular product in your microwave oven. Generally, small items such as our Spa Mask should not be heated for more than 1 minute. Medium-sized items such as our Neck Pillow or Heat Wrap should not be heated for more than 2 minutes. And larger items such as our Blankies should not be heated for more than 3 minutes. Alternatively, you may heat your products in a tumble clothes dryer for approximately 5-7 minutes. Regardless of your heating method, there's no need to remove the outer cover when heating in the microwave or dryer.

How long will the Heatable/Chillable Spa Products stay warm?

Approximately 20-25 minutes.

How do I chill my Spa Wraps? Fold and place in a plastic bag and seal. 

Place in the freezer for at least one hour.

How do I launder my Heatable/Chillable cover?

Remove the scented insert.  Wash the cover in the washing machine on normal wash.  Dry in the Clothes dryer.  Do not wash the insert

Will my Heatable/Chillable Spa Products ever become moldy?

No. Despite the moist heat provided by the spa product, it will not become moldy unless it is stored in a very damp location as would fabric product stored in such a damp situation.

 

 

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