LavenderLavender The Universal Healer

Aroma 203by Lori Kelsey

Laminaceae (family of healers) Lavender (genus)species chemotypes & hybrids cultivars

There are so many species, chemotypes, hybrids & cultivars of Lavender. I wanted to

know their usefulness and which ones grow in my garden…

…Upon casual encounter, Lavenders look & smell similar. Look closer, each smells & looks unique.

Each can be distinguished by the growing conditions they like & their flowering season. Most importantly,

Each has a different chemical make-up and therapeutic use.

Distillation & Adulteration

• Lavender is one of the most complicated EO to distill, making it among the most frequently adulterated EO.

• Adulteration & impurities ruin the healing properties that Lavender affords! Even when using the right type, a commercial or low-grade Lavender is unlikely to produce expected therapeutic results.

“…during the distillation process of lavender oil, after twenty-five minutes, 75% of the essential oil is extracted; however, it is only

after an hour and forty-five minutes that the remaining 25% of the oil is extracted. It is therefore very tempting for the less

scrupulous distiller to reduce the time of distillation, saving time and money, but eventually producing incomplete and low-grade

oil.” (NHR, 2007)

There are two archetypical Lavenders but over twenty-eight species.

Multiplying this by the number of chemotypes & cultivars, each with a

different chemical make-up & energy, makes a medicine cabinet full of potential uses for Lavender. The

Lavenders that are most frequently used medicinally are True Lavender, French Lavender, Spike and Lavendin

(Chu).

Comparing LAVENDER Comparing LAVENDER Essential oilsEssential oils

• Lavendula vera• Lavendula angustafolia ct linalool

• Lavendula angustafolia “Highland”• Lavendula angustafolia “Sauvage Wild”

• Lavandula latifolia

Lavendula angustafoliaLavendula angustafolia (true, vera or female lavender)

• We begin with archtypical Lavender vera because it is basis for comparison of all the other types. Pure True Lavender EO is hard to find—sentimentally lost to a by-gone era. It is most often mixed with a Lavendin EO or it is from a cultivar of the two wild varieties (Mailhebiau 1995).

• True Lavender is native to a small area in the French Alps and Pyrenees. It grows wild at altitudes of 2,296 - 3,609 feet. It is a dwarf shrub giving little EO, distinguished by being entirely free of camphor. There are only two varieties: delphenensis & fragrans from which

clones or cultivars (e.g Matheronne maliette & hidcote) are derived.

• True Lavender has an uncomplicated, soft, pleasant, floral aroma and has versatile use: emotional balancing, sensitive skin care, itching bites & stings, respiratory complaints, pain and burns etc. An ester (linalyl acetate) makes it mucolytic, anti-spasmodic and a calming sedative.

The aroma and energy of the oil-infusion of the hidcote in my garden, indicates why True Lavender is fit for energetic work and the finest perfumes.

However, growing at 7000 feet, may

potentiate fragrant, spiritual & therapeutic qualities

CHEMISTRY OF CHEMISTRY OF Lavender VeraLavender Vera

• Alcohol (30-58%) – warming, antibacterial, antiviral, immune stimulant, toning, vasoconstriction

• linalool (25-45%)• Esters (26-52%) – balancing, soothing, calming, antispasmotic,

antifungal, CNS tonic, anti-inflammatory -linalyl acetate (40%) -lavandulyl acetate (4.2%)

• Monoterpenes (7-24%)-stimulating, analgesic, antibiotic, antihistamine

-Z-beta-ocimene (6.7%)-camphene (0-1%)

• Sesquiterpenes (3-9%) – strong anti-inflammatory, analgesic, seditive, antispasmotic-beta-caryophyllene (5.16%) antiviral

• Aldehydes (2-5%)—anti-inflammatory, antiviral, sedative• Oxides (2-4%)—expectorant, resp stimulant, centering• Coumarins (1-4%)--said to augment the antispasmodic effect of esters, strong

vasodilatation, bronchodilator (Buckle).• Ketones (1-3%)—mucolytic, cicatrizing, potentially neurotoxin

Lavendula Lavendula angustafoliaangustafolia “Highland” “Highland” Expensive. Sweet with cool, light, sharp, green notes--like fresh air!

Highland Furano’s Lavender fields

• Chemotype of True Lavender. Cultivated highland varieties grown above 2,000 ft have increased ester content; producing the finest EO. Esters are antifungal against candida. According to Nature’s Gift, “It is the mainstay in anti-acne and anti-Rosacea blends, and would be a good addition to any facial preparation”. It is perhaps one of the best Lavenders second only to Savage Wild.

 

Lavendula angustafoliaLavendula angustafolia

Sauvage Wild!• EO from wildcrafted, highland True Lavender is said to be

superior in vibrancy and power. Aromatically deep and intense, this maybe the Lavender to use for energy work; to neutralize disharmony and clear space. A spritz at night

chases away monsters in childrens’ rooms.

It is inevitably the essence of this Lavender that gives Lavender in general its legendary temperament--

the Lavender exalted by Hidegard of Bingen.

As expressed by Mailhebiau (1995):

As the Mother EO, Lavender is ‘full of patience & constancy; tireless & even tempered; calms & listens; discreet & virtuous. She looks after everyone with equal love. A supporter constantly concerned with people and consumed by love for them. Lavender stimulates

the conscious mind and stabilizes the emotions & spirit’.

Best Used TopicallyTo the Solar Plexus

(Mailhebiau)

Lavandula latifolia Lavandula latifolia (Spike or male lavender)(Spike or male lavender)

• This species gives a large yield of oil with a strong camphorous note. It grows naturally at lower altitudes around the N. Mediterranean shore of Spain and Italy. It smells medicinal and is used mainly for scenting soaps. Valnet says that it is a good insecticide, deterring fleas & moths. It is a strong expectorant due to 38% oxide (cineole) content. Oxides are expectorant and anti-infectious. Thus, this Lavender is good for sinusitis and upper respiratory complaints. It reduces arthritic pain (Buckle 2006 cites Von Frohlich 1968). This one is used cautiously with epileptics, children, the elderly and the frail.

Lavendula Lavendula angustafoliaangustafolia ct linaloolct linalool

Warming & Heavy. Chemotype of True Lavender.

Higher Alcohol (linalool) content. Gentle skin antiseptic.

COMPARING GARDEN COMPARING GARDEN LAVENDERSLAVENDERS

• Lavendula x intermedia Grosso• Lavendula stocheos “Madrid Purple”• Lavendula x intermedia Grosso Alba

Lavendula x intermedia Grosso Lavendula x intermedia Grosso (lavendin)(lavendin)

• Two main species, L. latifolia & L. angustifolia, mate giving rise to this sterile hybrid. That is stronger than either parent. It is grows at medium altitudes in S. France. “It provides very large yields of oil high in camphor. France produces more than a thousand tons of this plant a year and cultivation and harvest is economical due to the entire process being done by machine. Subsequently, it is cheaper and used to extend True Lavender” (Australasian). It is used as a respiratory antiseptic due to 31-60% alcohols (Stewart). Alcohols are anti-infectious, immunostimulants, antiviral and energizing. The aroma is slightly stimulating due to 5 -11% ketones (Stewart), but it can be more relaxing than True Lavender (Buckle 1993). I have varieties of Lavendin growing in my yard. It is tall, lush and blooms all summer if dead-headed.

““Madrid Purple”Madrid Purple” Lavendula stocheosLavendula stocheos(French Lavender, Cotton Lavender)

• This hybrid has a fat flower that resemble a purple bumble bee to me. It is not frequently used medicinally. It flowers early and performs better than True Lavender in hot & humid climes. NM is hot but dry--it does fairly well growing under my canale. It smells piney and almost entirely camphorous due to 45-50% ketones (Stewart). This high ketone content gives it a low therapeutic margin; potentially neurotoxic in excess. Ketones are anti-infectious, skin healing, mucolytic, and aide respiratory tract infections. According to Scholes, it is best used for wound healing at no more than 1 drop in a blend; IT POTENTIATES ANY BLEND 10-fold. It is used cautiously with epileptics, children, the elderly and the frail

Lavendula x intermedia Grosso Alba Lavendula x intermedia Grosso Alba (White lavendin)

• It has a weak aroma, but it is a novelty because it is white.

Lavenders Look Different

One to three feet, evergreen, shrubs that show a range of leaf & flower shapes. The

leaves can be lobed or unlobed, sometimes present only at the base of the stems. The

color of the flowers range from blue-violet to white and the stem and leaves can range

from deep bluish grey to green or discolored brown.

(Chu & Kemper, 2003)

Hardy lavenders (true lavender, spike, Lavendin) Shrubby & shorter than the tender lavenders and flower only once a year. They have narrow, gray leaves that vary in size on different parts of the plants. Some flower spikes are tapered and others are blunt. Cold hardy.

Tender lavenders (stoechas, French Lavender) are tall with showy bracts at the tops of their flower heads. They prefer full sun, rich soil and perfect conditions. They can grow three feet tall. The weaker, arching stems are more green than grey.

Indigenous to the mountain Mediterranean regions, the islands of the Atlantic, Turkey, Pakistan. Native species have been found in N & S Africa, Micronesia, the Arabian Peninsula, Bulgaria, and Russia18.

Cultivated all over the world, particularly in France, Bulgaria, Russia, Italy, Spain, England, the US, and Australia.

(Chu & Kemper, 2003)

The Chemistry Varies…

• …within the genus, the biochemical contents of lavender differ. For instance the chemical composition of Spike, is very different from the traditional medicinal varieties.

• …by species, the presence & concentration of chemical constituents fluctuates according to where grown; season & time of day harvested; and maturation of the plant resulting in chemotypes like ct linalool & Highland.

• …finally, by extraction process. Steam distilled Lavender has a higher ratio of terpene-alcohols, alcohols and esters compared to the CO2 extraction, which extracts many more natural constituents.

• Burning Lavender EO does not affect its composition. Inhaling smoke from lavender candles may have the same impact as inhaling the vapor. CAUTION: LOW FLASHPOINT if adding to wax yourself

(Chu & Kemper, 2003)

Lavender’s characteristic aroma is beautiful, simple, humble & discrete. But Lavender is complex in its

many chemical expressions of itself.

If you want to experience it as the “Universal Healer”, be species, chemotype and maybe even cultivar specific. Be scrupulous as to the source of the oils. And use therapeutic-grade or wildcrafted.

Sources• Aroma 101. (June 2008). Australasian School of Health Science.• Aroma 203. (Sept 2008). Australasian School of Health Science.• Aromaticamedica. Aromascope. Found at http://aromaticamedica.tripod.com• Buckle, Jane. ( 2003). Clinical aromatherapy; essential oils in practice. 2nd ed.

Complementary Health Therapies Consultants: New York.• Buckle, R J. (2006). Clinical aromatherapy for health professionals-study guide-module

1. R J Buckle Associate LLC • Chu, Catherine & Kemper, Kathi. (2001). Lavender (Lavandula spp.). Longwood Herbal

Task Force. Found 11/24/2008 At http://longwoodherbal.org/lavender/lavender.pdf• Davis, Patricia. (1995). An A-Z aromatherapy. Barnes and Noble: NY.• Mailhebiau, Philippe. (1995). Portraits in oils: the personality of aromatherapy oils and

their link with human temperaments. First ed. translation, abridged version of La Nouvelle Aromatique. The C.W. Daniel Company Limited: Saffron Walden.

• Nature’s Gift• NHR Organic Oils. (2007). Chemical information: The case of lavender. Found at

www.nhrorganicoils.com/frame.php?page=info_21 • Schnaubelt, Kurt. (1995). Advanced aromatherapy: The essential science of essential

oil therapy. Rochester. New York: Healing Arts Press.• Scholes, Michael. (1998). Five day certification course (home study guide & audio

tapes). The Michael Scholes School of Aromatic Studies.• Stewart, David. (2006). The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple. Care Publishing:

Missouri.• Valnet, Jean. (1990). The Practice of Aromatherapy: a classic compendium of plant

medicines & their healing properties. NY: Healing Arts Press.