Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia)

Overview

Lavender may also be referred to as True lavender, English lavender, Common lavender, Garden lavender, Narrow-leaved lavender, Lavandula angustifolia maillet, Lavender maillet. It is typically processed in Bulgaria, France, China, Ukraine, Spain, & Morocco using steam or hydro distillation as a method for extracting oil from the leaves and flowers/buds.

Summary

Lavender is a very useful and popular essential oil. It comes from the flower tops of Lavandula angustifolia (Lavandula officinalis) plants and is extracted by steam distillation. It has a flowery scent and a balancing effect on the body and mind.

Essential Facts

Aroma Description:
Camphoraceous Floral Fresh Fruity Herbaceous Sweet
Common Name(s): True lavender, English lavender, Common lavender, Garden lavender, Narrow-leaved lavender, Lavandula angustifolia maillet, Lavender maillet
Botanical Family: Lamiaceae
Botanical Genus: Lavandula
Chemical Family: Esters, Monoterpenols
Major Compounds: Linalyl Acetate, Linalool, (Z)-B-Ocimene, Lavandulyl acetate, Terpinene-4-ol, B-Caryophyllene, (E)-B-Farnesene, (E)-B-Ocimene, 3-Octanyl Acetate
Perfumery Note: Top/Middle
Consistency: Thin
Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
Color: Clear with a Tinge of Yellow
Countries of Production: Bulgaria, France, China, Ukraine, Spain, & Morocco
Indigenous Country: Native to the Old World, from South Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean, & Asia to southeast India
Cultivation: Unsprayed or organic
Processing Methods: Steam or Hydro Distillation
Part Typically Used: Leaves and Flowers/Buds
Shelf Life: 6 years

Ethically and sustainably sourced
Organic
Vegan
Not recommended or safe if pregnant or nursing

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

Blends

Lavender Blends:

Cedarwood, Atlas Cedarwood, Virginian Clary Sage Frankincense Frankincense frereana Geranium Grapefruit Lemon Lime Mandarin Nutmeg Orange, Sweet Tangerine

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Lavender:

Don't use lavender oil during the early stages of pregnancy.

Tisserand and Young do not indicate any special precautions when using Lavender Essential Oil. Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 325-328.]

Safety Precautions for Lavender:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.