Lavender is a plant whose benefits and virtues have been known and exploited for thousands of years. Cultivated mainly in thesouth of France, it grows in groves whose mauve hues are characteristic of the landscapes of Provence. In aromatherapy,lavender essential oil has both soothing and antiseptic properties. Lavender aspic, lavender officinale, lavender stoechas or lavandin super – there are many different species of lavender. What are the benefits of lavender essential oil ? What type oflavender essential oil should I use? How to apply it to benefit from its virtues?
Lavender, a medicinal plant with ancient roots
Lavender classification
Characteristic of the landscapes of Provence, lavender is a plant that comes in many species. The botanical name of its common trunk is lavandula, of Latin origin. The first term refers to the genus of the plant, while the second differentiates between species. In some cases, the name of the botanist associated with the plant completes the name. This is the case with
Here are the best-known lavender species used in aromatherapy:
– Spike lavender (Lavandula Latifolia (L. f.) Medikus or Lavandula Spicus) ;
– True lavender(Lavandula Officinalis L. or Vera) ;
– True lavender(Lavandula Angustifolia P. Miller) ;
– maritime lavender(Lavandula Stoechas) ;
– lavandin super (Lavandula Burnatii Briquet).
There are as many differentessential oils as there arespecies of lavender. Although they may sometimes resemble each other, they do not have the same properties. Note that there are many ways d”using essential oils.
The composition of lavender
Most lavender species contain linalyl acetate, linalool, geraniol, pinene, cineol, coumarin and beta-caryophyllene. Its distinctive fragrance is due to the presence of ethylamylketone. Its composition gives it antispasmodic, sedative and diuretic properties.1. Soothing, lavender promotes relaxation and muscular release.2. It has healing and antiseptic properties 3, exploited for thousands of years. When applied to viper bites, spike lavender is said to have anti-venomous properties, hence its name. Condensed in sachet form, it keeps moths out of closets, a practice that is still widespread.
Lavender at Boèmia
Lavender thrives on rocky soil in full sun. Properly tended, a plantation can flourish for decades. At Boèmia, we grow True lavender in small plots, without any inputs. Harvesting begins in the fourth year, between June and August. To ensure that the flowers retain all their properties, harvesting takes place in the morning, when the weather is still dry. The lavender flowers are then air-dried for 24 to 48 hours before being distilled.
As for Aspic lavender, it is wild-picked from the massifs around our distillery, of which it is one of the emblematic plants. Our harvesting is authorized by the owners of the plots concerned, and takes place on sites protected from any environmental pollution, enabling us to be certified Organic Farming. The plants are pruned conscientiously and cleanly with a sickle. They benefit from our presence by growing back stronger each year. Like True lavender, Spike lavender is air-dried for 24 to 48 hours before being distilled.
Our essential oils are then extracted using copper stills, a material that has been used for centuries to preserve all the olfactory qualities and therapeutic virtues of lavender.
The benefits of lavender aspic essential oil
Characteristics of spike lavender
Spike lavender (Lavandula Latifolia (L. f.) Medikus or Lavandula Spicus) is one of Boèmia’s signature plants. Highly sensitive to cold, it prefers warm environments and calcareous soils. It thrives on the arid hillsides of southern France and the Mediterranean coast, at altitudes below 800 meters. Spike lavender grows as a bush from 30 to 60 cm in height, and is characterized by its sweet fragrance, due to the camphor in its composition.
Properties of lavender aspic essential oil
While lavender aspic has many aromatherapy properties, it stands out for its immediate action, particularly on burns. The combination of linalool and camphor makes it a proven skin analgesic .3.Lavender aspic essential oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it highly effective against skin and gynecological mycoses. Finally, its camphor-rich composition gives it healing properties.3.
L’lavender aspic essential oil can be used in the following cases:
– burns : apply 1 to 5 undiluted drops directly to the burn, repeating every 15 minutes, then 3 times a day until the burn disappears;
– Sunburn : 1 to 5 undiluted drops directly on the area to be treated, repeated every 15 minutes, then 3 times a day until the sun disappears;
– Insect bites (wasps, bees, etc.): place one undiluted drop on the spot, then repeat every 15 minutes if necessary;
– venomous animal bites: apply a few undiluted drops to the bite, after cleaning the wound. Reapply regularly if necessary;
– eczema (dry or oozing) or psoriasis: place 2 hard drops on the area to be treated and repeat 3 times a day, until it disappears.
Applied to the skin or as a scent,lavender aspic essential oil soothes coughs, bronchitis and tracheitis.4. Combined witheucalyptus radiata essential oilessential oil, it soothes runny noses and clears congested sinuses.
Spike lavender essential oil is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 8, or people with asthma or epilepsy. In the long term, it may become allergenic.
The benefits of True Lavender essential oil
Characteristics of True Lavender essential oil
True lavender or Lavandula Officinalis L. or Vera grows at altitudes of 700 to 1,800 meters as a 50 to 70 cm-high shrub. Its fresh, flowery scent makes it a highly sought-after essence in perfumery. Very mild,True Lavender essential oil is suitable for the whole family.
Properties of True Lavender essential oil
True lavender essential oil is renowned for its antispasmodic properties.1. Applied directly to the skin, it has soothing and calming properties.2. Its linalool-rich composition gives it anti-infectious, antiseptic, antifungal and healing properties.3.
The properties ofTrue lavender essential oil apply in the following cases:
– agitation or excitement : inhale a few drops of essential oils from a cloth or directly from the bottle. Repeat as often as necessary;
– Itching or irritation : apply 2 drops directly to the area to be treated and repeat if necessary;
– pain and migraines : place 2 to 3 drops on the area to be treated and massage gently;
– stress , anxiety or insomnia : inhale a few drops of essential oils from a cloth or directly from the bottle. Repeat as often as necessary;
– wounds and skin lesions : apply 2 to 3 drops to the wound until healing is complete.
True lavender essential oil also accelerates skin regeneration.3. Applied locally, it is said to have hypotensive effects on hypertension4. Combined withwintergreen essential oilessential oil, it reduces pain in cases of cramps, aches or muscular tension.2.
True lavender essential oil is suitable for the whole family, but is contraindicated during the first trimester of pregnancy and for babies under 6 months of age.
The benefits of True lavender essential oil
Characteristics of True lavender essential oil
True lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia P. Miller), also known as fine lavender, grows in southern France at altitudes of between 800 and 1,800 meters. This species of lavender grows as a dense, compact bush on stony, sandy soils.
Properties of True lavender essential oil
True lavender essential oil has antispasmodic properties1 and relaxing properties2. The presence of linalool makes it a powerful analgesic. LikeTrue Lavender essential oil, it calms agitated or stressed states and promotes sleep.2.
L’essential oil of lavender officinalis is used in the following cases:
– stress and agitation : place a few drops on the skin and breathe. You can also use a diffuser;
– scars : apply 2 to 3 drops to the area to be treated 3 times a day until the scars disappear;
– pressure sores : apply 1 drop to the affected area, repeat 3 times a day until healed.
The use ofTrue lavender essential oil is not recommended during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
The benefits of lavender essential oil
Characteristics of maritime lavender essential oil
Maritime lavender, whose botanical name is Lavandula Stoechas, grows around the Mediterranean. It is characterized by the shape of its spikes, which are more compact than other lavender species. Theessential oil extracted has a strong odor, due to its high camphor content.
Properties of maritime lavender essential oil
The presence of ketones and terpene epoxides in the composition of maritime lavender gives it expectorant and mucolytic properties. As such, it effectively combats colds and bronchitis by clearing the bronchial tubes and respiratory tract.4. Its antibacterial, healing and anti-inflammatory properties3 make it a powerful essential oil, to be used with care. Combined with a vegetable oil, it can also be used to treat serous otitis.4.
Neurotoxic, abortive, irritating to the skin and respiratory tract,maritime lavender essential oil should be used with caution. It is contraindicated for pregnant or breast-feeding women, epileptics and children under six.
The benefits of lavandin super essential oil
Characteristics of lavandin super essential oil
Lavandin super, or Lavandula Burnatii Briquet, is a hybrid plant resulting from a cross between spike lavender(Lavandula Latifolia (L. f.) Medikus) and true lavender (Lavandula Officinalis L.). This species inherits the properties of its “parents”, while producing much higher yields. While its flowers are more developed, its fragrance is much less subtle. At Boèmia, we are currently cultivating lavandin super with the aim of producing essential oil by 2022.
Properties of lavandin super essential oil
Lavandin super essential oil is recognized for its calming and anxiolytic properties. Its camphor-enriched composition gives it spasmolytic virtues.1. Like other lavender species, it is anti-infectious, antifungal and antiparasitic.3.
Lavandin super essential oil is particularly effective in the following cases:
– stress and agitation : place a few drops on the skin and breathe. You can also use a diffuser;
– prevention and elimination of lice : apply a few drops to the scalp and repeat if necessary;
– musclecramps and tension : mix one drop of EO with 4 drops of vegetable oil and massage into the painful area;
– painfulperiods : mix one drop of EO with 4 drops of vegetable oil and massage the lower abdomen.
Lavandin super essential oil is contraindicated during the first trimester of pregnancy, in children under 7 and in asthmatics and epileptics. It can also be irritating to the skin.
Lavender is a plant whose medicinal virtues have been known and exploited for thousands of years. Aspic lavender, true lavender, fine lavender, maritime lavender or even lavandin super, it comes in many species, each with its own unique properties. While most lavender species have soothing and relaxing properties, some have healing, antispasmodic, anti-fungal or anti-infectious properties.
To enjoy the full benefits oflavender essential oil, be sure to choose organic essential oils, conscientiously cultivated with respect for the plant and its environment. At Boèmia, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality essential oils that concentrate all the benefits of nature.
Sources and references
2 : Huile essentielle lavande : bienfaits & indication de lavande officinale, on Santé Magazine, October 5, 2012 (consulted on July 25, 2021)
3 : Vertus santé huile essentielle de lavande, accessible on http://www.huileessentielledelavande.fr `{`archives`}`
4 : Se soigner par les huiles essentielles, Théophane de la Charie, Éditions du Rocher, 2019
