Profile: Lavender Essential Oils

Lavender essential oils come from several different plant species.  They are similar to each other but have different chemical constituents and therefore, different effects on the body systems.  They are all from the Lamiaceae plant family along with the mints, rosemary, basil and thyme.

Lavandula angustifolia, also known as “true” lavender or English lavender is the best-known essential oil. It is considered a "universal" oil because it has so many uses. Due to its chemical constituents, it is calming, sedating, and good for the skin.  A single drop of lavender oil on a burn will reduce the pain and speed its healing.  It is antifungal and generally antimicrobial. True lavender has many cultivated varieties that will vary in the constituents.  There is high altitude lavender, French lavender, and lavender from Bulgaria, among others. 

Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) has a strong lavender smell but has a much different chemical profile.  It is much higher in camphor which is good for respiratory problems but not for burns.  It could worsen a burn if applied to it.  In addition to its respiratory effects, spike lavender is used for muscle aches, rheumatism, inflammation, and headaches. 

Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) contains even more camphor than the other species, making it smell a bit more like rosemary than lavender.  It is used for bronchitis, sinusitis, earache, whooping cough, depression, wound care, lice infection, and skin allergies. There are some safety precautions with Spanish lavender due to the high camphor content: Do not use while pregnant or breastfeeding and maximum 8% in topical blends. Large quantities of camphor are neurotoxic and need to be kept under the maximum recommended percentage.

Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) is a hybrid plant that is a cross of true lavender and spike lavender which was developed in the mid-1900’s. Lavandin produces a much higher essential oil yield than true lavender, making it less expensive to produce and is often used to adulterate true lavender.  It, too, contains a higher percentage of camphor than true lavender.  It is used for the same conditions as spike and Spanish lavender. 

All lavenders are clear, thin liquids that have the smell of lavender to some degree.  When purchasing lavender, check the botanical name to be sure you get the right species for the condition you want to address. All lavender oils are moderately priced by most suppliers. Some varieties may be a bit more expensive due to harvesting practices, the yield of essential oil and farming concerns.