Lavender is such a well know herb and essential oil that we seem to almost take it for granted. In Europe it is used as a flavouring and as a child I seem to remember some candy that was lavender flavoured.
Many people believe it is okay to put lavender essential oil on your skin neat, in other words without any diluting and for most people it is okay to do that. However, I discovered something that surprised me that I would like to share with you.
I work with essential oil quite a bit as an aromatherapist and I was one of those that advocated using Lavender essential oil on your skin without any dilution until one day I was scenting some product with it and put my pipette down on a styrofoam plate. I only had it there for a less than a minute and when I went to pick it up again I saw that the lavender had eaten through the plate! Needless to say I was shocked. It gave me a new respect for my old friend. So now I recommend that you put it into a carrier oil to use even though 9 times out of 10 people won't react. But if it will eat through styrofoam I think I would like to play it safe.
Here is some more information on Lavender. This is an article that I wrote for Saponifier magazine back in 2010 that I am reprinting here for your information.
Now is what you have in your cupboard really lavender and if it is, where was it grown and harvested? Who would have believed that something as common as lavender can be so complicated? Let’s list the different types shall we?
- Lavender 40/42 (Lavandula Augustifolium) This one is grown in the USA & it is extracted through Distillation. Here is the typical gas Chromatography Analysis:
CONSTITUENT
|
PERCENTAGE
|
| alpha Pinene + beta Pinene + Camphene |
1%
|
| 1,8-Cineole |
1.4%
|
| cis Ocimene |
4.5%
|
| trans Ocimene |
2.8%
|
| Camphor |
0.4%
|
| Linalool |
36.5%
|
| Linalyl acetate |
42.5%
|
| beta Caryophyllene |
3.2%
|
| Terpinen-4-ol |
2.4%
|
| Lavandulyl acetate |
2.2%
|
| beta Farnesene |
1.3%
|
| Lavandulol |
0.5%
|
| Borneol + alpha Terpineol |
1.1%
|
- Lavender Oil Bulgarian (Lavandula Augustifolium) This one is of course grown in Bulgaria and is also extracted through Steam Distillation. Here is its typical Gas Chromatography Analysis:
CONSTITUENT
|
PERCENTAGE
|
| alpha Pinene + beta Pinene + Camphene |
1%
|
| Limonene |
0.2%
|
| 1,8-Cineole |
4.1%
|
| cis Ocimene |
1%
|
| trans Ocimene |
0.6%
|
| Camphor |
0.6%
|
| Linalool |
32.3%
|
| Linalyl acetate |
33.5%
|
| beta Caryophyllene |
1.5%
|
| Terpinen-4-ol |
1.4%
|
| Lavandulyl acetate |
1.2%
|
| beta Farnesene |
2.6%
|
| Lavandulol |
1.3%
|
| Borneol + alpha Terpineol |
1.2%
|
- Lavender Oil High Alpine (Lavandula Augustifolium) is grown in France at high altitudes as indicated by its name. Steam Distillation is used here as well. This is its Gas Chromatography Analysis:
CONSTITUENT
|
PERCENTAGE
|
| alpha Pinene + beta Pinene + Camphene |
.3%
|
| Limonene |
0.2%
|
| 1,8-Cineole |
1%
|
| cis Ocimene |
2.8%
|
| trans Ocimene |
2.6%
|
| Camphor |
0.5%
|
| Linalool |
33.4%
|
| Linalyl acetate |
44.3%
|
| beta Caryophyllene |
2.9%
|
| Terpinen-4-ol |
2.1%
|
| Lavandulyl acetate |
2.2%
|
| beta Farnesene |
1.3%
|
| Lavandulol |
0.3%
|
| Borneol + alpha Terpineol |
2.8%
|
- Lavender Oil Spike (Lavandula latifolia). This not a true lavender which is grown in Spain. Following is its typical Gas Chromatography Analysis:
CONSTITUENT
|
PERCENTAGE
|
| alpha Pinene |
1.8%
|
| Camphene |
0.3%
|
| Beta Pinene |
2.3%
|
| Sabinene |
1%
|
| Limonene |
0.5%
|
| 1,8-Cineole |
35%
|
| Camphor |
16.2%
|
| Linalool |
33.2%
|
| Linalyl acetate |
5.9%
|
| beta Caryophyllene |
0.4%
|
| Terpinen-4-ol |
0.4%
|
| Lavandulyl acetate |
0.9%
|
| beta Farnesene |
0.4%
|
| Lavandulol |
0.2%
|
| Borneol + alpha Terpineol |
1.5%
|
- Lavandin Oil (Lavandula hybrida sumian) Once again we have something that is not a true lavender but rather a hybrid between true lavender and spike lavender. This is grown in France and is also steam distilled for extraction. Let’s take a look at its Gas Chromatography Analysis shall we?
CONSTITUENT
|
PERCENTAGE
|
| alpha Pinene + beta Pinene + Camphene |
1.2%
|
| Limonene |
7%
|
| 1,8-Cineole |
3.9%
|
| cis Ocimene |
2.6%
|
| trans Ocimene |
1.7%
|
| Camphor |
7.8%
|
| Linalool |
43.5%
|
| Linalyl acetate |
23.3%
|
| beta Caryophyllene |
1.2%
|
| Terpinen-4-ol |
0.9%
|
| Lavandulyl acetate |
1.5%
|
| beta Farnesene |
0.9%
|
| Lavandulol |
0.5%
|
| Borneol + alpha Terpineol |
3.4%
|
As you can see from the above information is that there are at least five (5) common Lavender types with two of them not true Lavenders. This is something we all need to be aware of. Lavandin Oil is often mistaken for true lavender which is important if you plan on using it therapeutically. If you are using it strictly as a fragrance for your products and are keeping you percentages at 3% or lower then it is generally a safe product, however make sure you read the contra-indicators further on in this monograph. Spike Lavender is also often mistaken for the real thing. The key here is to look at INCI name as well as the monographs. Lavandin Oil is a hybrid created by crossing true lavender with Spike lavender and is the close to true lavender and you can see if has the same constituents but in significantly different percentages. Spike lavender is missing trans Ocimene and has Sabinene in it.
Let’s now examine how Lavender is used and to do that we need to look at its actions:
- Analgesic
- Anticonvulsive
- Antidepressant
- Antimicrobial
- Antirheumatic
- Antiseptic
- Antispasmodic
- Antitoxic
- Carminative
- Cholagogue (medicinal agent which promotes the discharge of bile from the system, purging it downward)
- Choleretic (stimulates production of bile in the liver)
- Cicatrisant (healing by creating the wound to close through scar tissue)
- Cordial (a stimulant/tonic)
- Cytophylactic (stimulates regeneration of cells)
- Deodorant
- Diuretic
- Emmenagogue (induces or assists menstruation)
- Hypotensive (lowers blood pressure)
- Insecticide
- Nervine (strengthening and toning to the nerves as well as the nervous system)
- Parasticide
- Rubefacient (substance that causes redness of the skin , possible irritation)
- Sedative
- Stimulant
- Sudorific (causes sweating)
- Tonic
- Vermifuge (expels intestinal worms)
- Vulnerary (helps heal wounds and sores through external application)
That’s quite the list isn’t it and an impressive one at that! Something else you should know about lavender essential oil is that when used with another essential oil it will enhance the properties and actions of the other oil(s). As a First Responder we were trained that oxygen is never wrong to apply, well this holds true for Lavender as well. Even though we see differences between the different lavenders they all carry many of the same properties, they may vary as to how well each will work on certain things because these variances exist, but they all work. As you can also see in general we are talking physical uses; emotional, spiritual and mental responses also exist and it is well know that any scent will create psychosomatic response since memory is deeply stimulated by scent. Our spiritual wellbeing is directly linked to our physical and they tend to reflect each other, so when we treat one the other is also going to respond in a positive manner.
Folk Traditions have long held sway with people who grew up close to the land, they have been handed down through the centuries, mother to daughter, physician to apprentice since time began. Through the paleontological record we can see even the ancients used herbs to care for themselves medically as well as part of flavourings for their food. Lavender has a sweet scent as it grows and is an edible plant. By making teas and decoctions not only were they having something good to drink but one that would also assist with a great many illnesses. Lavender was used to keep insects away in poor homes where straw was used for their floors, beds and roofs, otherwise life would have been unbearable, even by the old standards. Lavender was also used to ease stomach upsets, it is also well known for helping a person relax or sleep. What’s interesting is that lavender not only relaxes & soothes but it also stimulates, strange but true. Let’s face it, when we’re relaxed we’re far more able to take on new challenges. Lavender can also be used to work on the following areas too:
- Cosmetic Water
- Insect repellent
- Linen scenting/freshening
- Spirit of Lavender makes a wonderful restorative tonic for fainting, giddiness, colic and spasms.
- Footbaths
- Toothache
- Neuralgia
- Sprains
- Rheumatism
- Hysteria
- Palsy
- Fear
In aromatherapy it is used for skin care, food flavouring, cosmetics, circulation, muscles, joints, respiratory system, the digestive system, the immune system and the nervous system.
The scent of lavender is recognized by almost everybody from some point of their life and almost all of us will have an emotional reaction to it whether we realize we’re having one or not. It is most of the most recognized fragrance that mankind has.
It is worthy of us to take a moment and look at Spike Lavender. It has a place in our herbal pharmacy as well. Like true lavender there are a few different species and their qualities are going to differ from place to place. According to Julia Lawless the French Spike Oil is reputed to be a more delicate, aromatic scent than the Spanish variety. This holds true with all of the Lavenders, you just need to place them side by side to see the differences.
Spike Lavender also brings to the table a few different qualities. According to the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia Spike Lavender is indicated for flatulent dyspepsia, colic, depressive headaches and topically for rheumatic pain.
Lavandin is the one I find most laypeople mistake for lavender and I see it interchanged a lot. It does not have a long history in herbal remedies and folklore, but it is very popular for use as a scenting agent in soaps, lotions and other cosmetic products. This is wonderful, but you still need to make sure that you are aware of medicinal or therapeutic properties of each essential oil, or herb you use. In aromatherapy lavandin has similar uses to lavender but you need to keep in mind that it is more penetrating and rubefacient (more likely to cause skin irritation) with a sharper scent that true lavender. It is good for respiratory circulatory and muscular conditions.
Precautions and Contra-Indicators
As wonderful as lavender is, it has its own set of precautions and contraindications which we also must examine.
It used to be believed that you could safely take essential oils orally, but the general consensus in the aromatherapy world is that this is not a good idea and something to be avoided. If you feel the need to take any essential oil orally you are far better off buying the herb and decocting it or making a tea with it. Even then, make sure you know if the substance is toxic, just because it’s natural doesn’t make it safe, arsenic is natural I doubt I want a tea made from it. So make sure you are using what is appropriate in the method best suited to it.
Lavender is one of the safest essential oils, however, like anything else there are dangers. Pregnant women in their first trimester should avoid all essential oils, after the first trimester you can start to use Lavender essential oil again but at a lower dosage, 50% or less. Remember that essential oils bypass the placental barrier so what you’re getting so does your unborn child. Newborns should have any essential oils until their 3rd month so in my opinion, you should avoid all essential oils during your pregnancy and until the baby is 3 months old if you are breast feeding.
Another risk group is people who are taking anti-coagulation meds, or have haemophilia, as lavender does contain small amounts of coumarin which is also an anti-coagulator. If you are using homeopathic therapies, you need to discuss with your doctor any and all essential oils you are using or plan on using as they can potentially interfere with those treatments. The same goes for your medical doctor. If you know you are going to be having surgery, then it is a good idea to quit using Lavender 2 weeks prior to surgery as this is one of those essential oils that can negate the effects of anaesthetic.
In conclusion, Lavender Essential Oil is one of the safest essential oils out there and can be rubbed directly on your skin in most instances. There are always going to be those who are sensitive to it so it is recommended that you dilute it with a carrier oil like Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Grapeseed Oil, etc. Lavender blends quite nicely with most other essential oils but here are a few blends that you might like to try:
- Lavender vanilla
- Lavender rose
- Lavender patchouli
- Lavender orange
- Lavender rose cedarwood
- Lavender with any of the citrus oils
Try blending with chamomile, frankincense, rose geranium, geranium, or any of your other favourites. You will be surprised and delighted by how versatile this precious oil is.
Bibliography:
- Julia Lawless – The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils
- International Certified Aromatherapy Institute Class Manuals by Marlene Mitchell
- Valerie Ann Worwood – The Complete Book of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy
I hope you enjoyed this article.
Cheers
Mica Swirl was this week's challenge from Amy Warden of Great Cakes Soapworks and I was surprised at just how much trouble I had with this one! I thought "Snap! How hard can this be?"
