Lavandula angustifolia is emotionally calming and relaxing. It’s highly regarded for its ability to calm the Nervous System as well as regenerate skin. When it comes to stress, panic attacks, headaches, anxiety, insomnia, skin irritations, cuts, burns, bruises, scarring, stretch marks, cell regeneration, respiratory support, asthma – or even if you need a natural hand sanitizer – Lavender can help. It kills germs that cause sinus and lung infections, cough, and colds. It’s antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, and analgesic properties make it a remedy for almost anything, including household purification and bathing. In a massage oil, Lavender helps relieve menstrual cramps, muscular pain, rheumatism, high blood pressure, fatigue, depression, and sunburns. It helps repels insects and can be used on insect bites. Its sweet, floral aroma makes it popular for use in perfume and cosmetics. When you add Lavender to a carrier oil, it is very warming and moisturizing.

There are 4 areas that can affect each species of lavender: botanical species, origin and altitude where grown (which affects molecular composition), growing/farming methods (organic, wildcrafted, non-organic, synthetic), and method of extraction.

Each Lavender Essential Oil is made from the flower tops are the main part of the plant regardless of the species. Wildcrafted oils are made from plants that are grown and then collected in the wild in their native climate and habitat. Many people consider these oils to be the most potent. The natural vitality and life force of wild plants are reflected in the chemical composition of their essential oils, making them exceptionally well suited for aroma-therapeutic applications.

France is still considered to be the premier growing region. The main chemical components of Lavender Oil are: alpha-pinene, limonene, 1.8-cineole, cis-ocimene, trans-ocimene, 3-octanone, camphor, linalool, linalyl acetate, beta caryophyllene, terpinene-4-ol and lavandulyl acetate. The amount of each of these affects the benefits.

What gives Lavender its healing quality? Lavenders are well known for having a high linalool, a monoterpenol, content. What makes Lavandula angustifolia different is that it contains a high percentage of esters, particularly linalyl acetate. This monoterpenol-ester synergy is what characterizes Lavandula angustifolia.

Lavender is known for being pain relieving, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Lavender has the following properties: Analgesic, Antibacterial, Anticonvulsant, Antidepressant, Antiviral, Anti-Inflammatory, Antiseptic, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Aromatic, Carminative, Cell-Rejuvenating, Cholagogue (bile promoting), Deodorant, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Insecticide, Nervine, Sedative, Stimulant, Stomachic, and Vulnerary.

This is known as Lavandin!

Sweet Lavandin: Organic • Cream of the crop in the Lavandin world. This essential oil can replace Lavender in many instances. This is because it is a hybrid of the flowering tops from Lavandula angustifolia (True Lavender) and Spike Lavender. It can be grown more easily than true Lavender, and the yield of essential oil is larger; thus, it’s less expensive. However, it has different chemical and therapeutic properties than true Lavender, and the two should not be used interchangeably. It is sharper, more piercing, longer lasting aroma. Often used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, and lotions. Sweet Lavandin has calming, antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.
Lavandin Grosso: Organic • Strong smelling hybrid most commonly used in perfumery. Plays second fiddle to Sweet Lavandin, but still a good choice for its stress-reducing, respiratory soothing and antidepressant properties as well as for its ability to help ease symptoms of insomnia, headaches, migraines and low self confidence. Very helpful for joint pain, sore muscles, and painful menses when massaged into the skin. Can also help fight coughs, colds, flu, and clogged sinuses. NOT FOR BURNS, but may be helpful for bruises, acne, and other skin diseases.

Due to its pleasing scent and wide range of therapeutic benefits, Lavender Oil is the most popular oil in aromatherapy! Lavender’s botanical name is Lavandula angustifolia, but it is also call called Lavandula officinalis or Lavendula vera.

Brief History: A French chemist named Rene-Maurice Gattefosse became the poster child of Lavender Essential Oil in the early 1900s when he burned his hand in a lab explosion. He healed the gangrene that resulted from the burn with Lavender Essential Oil. As a result, Lavender Oil has been researched and studied ever since. Gattefosse also created the term “Aromatherapy”, which is still used today. Lavender has been around for thousands of years, and its use has been recorded in the ancient civilizations of the Phoenicians, Sumerians, Egyptians, Chinese, Indians, Greeks, and Romans. The name comes from Latin “lavare”, which means “to wash”.

Lavender is grown all over the world – Europe, India, Australia, and the United States. There are over 200 types growing in different altitude and latitude; this affects the fragrance and chemistry of each Lavender. The higher the altitude at which Lavender is grown, the more esters the Lavender will contain. Since these esters are what give Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) its sought after soothing properties, these higher altitude Lavenders are particularly coveted. Harvesting Lavender at higher elevation is more difficult, which also makes these oils more expensive. Lavender from more southern regions with hotter climates, tend to be less soothing.

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