Which Lavender ?

I am a HUGE fan of lavender essential oils but I have to admit in the early days the different types of lavender oils had me confused - I'm sure for lots of you it's the same. SO this week's blog is being dedicated to explaining the 3 main types of lavender essential oil.

TRUE LAVENDER (Botanical names: Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula officinalis )

Known as lavande vraie in French .

Lavandula angustifolia is the type of lavender most used in both herbalism and aromatherapy. It is also sometimes referred to as English lavender and sometimes French lavender (although this term can also be applied to lavandin so it is best to stick to the botanical name to avoid confusion).

The essential oil of L. angustifolia plants is particulary rich in rich in linalol and linalyl acetate, making it the preferred lavender oil of professional aromatherapists (opting for spike lavender as an alternative when 1,8-Cineole and Camphor are preferred constituents for application )

It's therapeutic properties are among others; analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anxiolytic, antispasmodic, carminative, cicatrisant, diuretic, emmenagogue, nervine, sedative, and uplifting. They are generally useful for any kind of skin ailment, nervous tension, anxiety, lack of restful sleep, aches, pains, and spasms, and a variety of more serious complaints.

While Lavender is safe for even neat use on the skin, some clinical aromatherapists now recommend using it undiluted only for acute ailments (like a bee sting). When used regularly over time, it may be best to dilute even the friendly Lavender essential oil in a carrier.

True lavender is also not reccomended for use during the first trimester of pregnancy or for children under 6 months old.

SPIKE LAVENDER (Botanical name(s): Lavandula latifolia, Lavandula spica, Lavandula spicata) Known in French as Lavande Aspic

With a higher content of camphor and 1,8-Cineole than true lavender essential oil , spike lavender oil has a sharper, more camphoraceous aroma than it's counterpart.Its aroma hints at its antiseptic qualities and smells quite medicinal. It is often utilized in respiratory support blends and is especially useful when you're feeling a bit stuffy. It can be helpful for pain and inflammation. While not nearly as calming as a True Lavender oil, it does stimulate circulation and effectively gets stagnant energy moving through the body again.

In terms of it's uses, spike lavender is used as an analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic, circulatory, and expectorant. It also used in some skin care products and included in blends to treat skin ailments, cramps,headaches and minor wounds.

Because of it's high camphor content, spike lavender is not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, for astmatics, for epileptics or for children under 8 years old. Unlike it's counterparts, spike lavender should NEVER be taken internally .

LAVANDIN (Botanical name: Lavandula x intermedia, Lavandula hybrida, Lavandula x burnati)

Lavandin essential oil is made from a hybrid of the Lavandula angustifolia and a Lavandula latifolia plants - The resulting hybrid is a much larger plant than the L. angustifolia varieties and yields a great deal more essential oil, making it a lot cheaper to produce.

As lavandin's therapeutic properties are that much lower than true lavender, it is generally used more as a fragrance than for therapeutic uses (although there are of course some). It is a common ingredient in soaps, laundry detergents, skin care, perfumes, and cleaning products.

When used therapeutically, it is used for its antibacterial properties and to support the respiratory system but it is not commonly used since it should be used topically at a very low dilution and comes with a few safety contraindications mentioned below.

Lavandin should not be used during the first trimester of pregnancy or for children under 3 years old.It is also advised to proceed with caution for asthmatics and epileptics. If using for a massage, it should be diluted with a suitable carrier oil.

#lavenderessentialoils #therapeuticuses