Essential Oil Database

Photo: Lavandula Angustifolia

Lavender

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Lavandula Angustifolia

Family Name:

Lamiaceae

Source Country:

France

Plant Parts Used:

Flower tops

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

Linalool, cineole, camphor, pinene, Borneol, bisabolene, terpineol, sabinene, myrcene, caryophyllene.

Botanical Description

Photo: Lavandula Angustifolia

Lavandula Angustifolia is native to the Mediterranean, and cultivated worldwide. It is an evergreen perennial shrub commonly known as Lavender growing up to 2 meters tall. The flowers are produced on leafless stems and lavender coloured. The leaves are narrow and green.

Lavender has traditionally been used as an ornamental plant, much used in the perfume industry, and to a lesser degree used as a herb in French cuisine, and for its medicinal and relaxing properties.

Lavender growing above 1500 meters is considered to produce the finest quality Lavender oil.

Photo: Lavandula Angustifolia

Fragrance

Lavender essential oil has a sweet, floral, herbal, balsamic scent.

Lavender essential oil is a yellow to light green liquid.

Lavender blends well with bergamot, black pepper, cedarwood, chamomile, clary sage, clove leaf, geranium, jasmine, lemon, lime, mandarin, neroli, patchouli, pine, rose, sweet orange and vetiver, ylang ylang.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Lavandula Angustifolia

Properties: analgesic, anticonvulsive, antidepressant, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, carminative, cordial, deodorant, diuretic, fungicidal, hypertensive, nervine, sedative, stimulant, tonic.

Aids: digestion, mood swings, relaxation, sleep.

Alleviates: acne, asthma, bruising, burns, colic, eczema, headache, labour pain, muscular spasm, psoriasis, nausea, rheumatism, ulcers.

Lavender is deeply relaxing and a useful aid to meditation.

Safety Data

Avoid use if pregnant.

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.