Lavender is one of the first plants I recommend adding to your home apothecary, or (AKA) your kitchen medicine cabinet. It’s safe, easy to find, doesn’t cost much, and best of all- it works. Whether you’re treating a burn, a scrape, or just want something soothing for your skin, lavender is a plant you can count on. I’ve spent years outdoors teaching plant identification, tending fires, and making balms and salves for just about every kind of scrape and burn you can imagine. Through it all, lavender has been a constant in my kit. It’s mild, effective, and simple to work with, which is why it’s one of my go-to ingredients.
One of the best things about lavender is how gentle it is. It’s mild enough for sensitive skin, kids, and even raw or sunburned skin. When your skin’s already hurting, you don’t want to make things worse, and lavender won’t do that. Instead, it soothes and supports healing naturally. It’s also easy to find. You can grow it yourself with minimal effort, or pick up dried lavender and essential oil at most stores. If stored properly, they last a long time, making lavender a practical and affordable option. Plus, it’s been trusted for generations. Lavender has been used for centuries by herbalists, healers, and outdoorsmen alike. It’s still around because it works, plain and simple.
Lavender isn’t just nice to smell- it’s a hardworking plant with plenty of uses. It cools and calms burns, reduces redness, and eases the sting of sunburn. Its natural antiseptic properties help prevent infections in small cuts and scrapes, while also supporting your skin’s ability to heal itself. On top of that, the smell of lavender is calming, which helps when you’re feeling sore or uncomfortable. For me, lavender is more than just a helper—it’s a necessity. Whether I’m at home or out in the woods, it’s always within reach.
Making a lavender balm is as simple as it gets, and it’s one of the best ways to put this plant to good use. To start, you’ll need to infuse oil with lavender. Take some dried lavender flowers, place them in a jar, and cover them with oil. Coconut oil, olive oil, or even strained lard all work well. Let the jar sit in a sunny spot for four to six weeks, shaking it occasionally. If you’re in a hurry, you can gently heat the flowers and oil in a double boiler for a few hours. Once the infusion is done, strain out the flowers. You can leave a few bits of the plant in the oil for character if you like- I always do. To make the balm, melt the lavender-infused oil with beeswax using a ratio of one part beeswax to three parts oil. For extra healing power, add five to ten drops of lavender essential oil once you’ve removed it from the heat. Pour the balm into tins, mason jars, or any container you have handy, and let it cool before sealing.
Lavender is one of those plants that earns its keep. Whether you’re dealing with a burn, a scrape, or just need something soothing for your skin, lavender does the job. Grow it, buy it, or forage it- it doesn’t matter how you get it, just make sure you have some on hand. For me, it’s been a steady companion for years, and I know it’ll find a place in your home apothecary too.-jb
Excellent! Lavender is indeed a great essential for the outdoorsman's kit!