Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

There exist approximately twenty-eight different species of lavender in the world. The two most common species used for medicinal purposes are Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia. In this paper the species Lavandula angustifolia will be examined.

This popular herb is a native plant of the Mediterranean region. It is now grown throughout the world and can be found in most herb gardens around the globe. It has many uses from culinary delights to easing the symptoms of bronchitis (Balch 89).

It is used to flavor vinegar and wine, as a tasty addition to a salad, in jellies and in candies and cakes. It is also commonly used in perfumes, colognes, soaps and other toiletries for its soothing properties for the skin and its lovely spicy, flowery scent. Another use is as a sachet to keep moths away from cloth such as cotton and wool (ed. Hylton, William; Kowalchik, Claire 351).

This herb and its essential oil is also used by many herbalists and aromatherapists to enhance their clients’ health and wellness.

The flower tops of the herb are most frequently used. The flowers can be made into a tea or a tincture to help soothe pain and discomfort in the stomach during digestion by stimulating the production of bile (Balch 90). It can help soothe coughs and stimulate the immune system to fight off colds and flu. And it calms anxiety and promotes relaxation to relieve insomnia (Balch 89).

The essential oil is distilled from the flowering tops and is very concentrated. It is used in lotions, shampoos, perfumes and soaps to calm and heal the skin. It is often diluted with another neutral oil (such as coconut or almond oil) and used directly on sores and burns to promote healing and lessen scarring. It is used in aromatherapy to cleanse the air, ease respiratory distress such as with colds or bronchitis, and promote a sense of calm, relieving insomnia and anxiety (Balch 89).

It is easy to define the individual chemical constituents of the oil, using Gas Chromatography Analysis. On the website for Aromatics International, there is a Gas Chromatography Analysis done on the Lavandula angustifolia essential oil that they have for sale from Bulgaria. This is Batch # LAB-105. It states that the two highest percentages of constituents consist of a monoterpenol, linalool at 28.86% and an ester, linalyl acetate at 30.46%. It is a complex oil and there are many more constituents listed in small percentages such as the oxide, 1,8 cineole at 0.81% (Aromatics International). However, the two main constituents, linalool and linalyl acetate account for a great many of the attributes of this herb.

Linalool is known to be anti-infectious, an immune stimulant, very calming and reduces pain and muscle spasms (www.Aromahead.com). Linalool is also known to actually increase the pain threshold (Balch 89).

Linalyl acetate is known to reduce pain, stimulate the immune system and promote calm (www.Aromahead.com).

By using the Gas Chromatography Analysis results an herbalist or aromatherapist is able to check and see if her recommendations are reasonable based upon the chemistry of the herb. It is also valuable when checking to make sure that two or more herbs will work together and can be used safely in a blend. And finally, with over twenty-eight different species of lavender in the world, understanding the chemical make up assures that the correct species is being used for the specific needs of that person. Each lavender will have a different make up of constituents. It is important to always look for the Latin name of the lavender being used and when possible read the Gas Chromatography Analysis to be sure that it has the required constituents.

Works Cited

Aromahead Institute. EOSpecialist.pdf webinar. “How to Help Others Transform Their Life and Health with Essential Oils” www.aromahead.com

Aromatics International GC/MS Report. aromatics.com/products/essential-oils/lavender-bulgaria

Balch, Phyllis A. Prescription for Herbal Healing, Avery Press at Penguin & Putman, Inc., NYC, NY 2002, pp 89-90.

Hylton, William H. and Kowalchik, Claire ed. Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania 1987, pp 351.

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