Lavender Essential Oil (Lavandula angustifolia)

Dr. Nick Notes

Often referred to as the “Swiss Army Knife” of essential oils because of its cure-all properties, lavender oil provides a fragrant cloud of violet bliss, sweeping away all tension, anger, and angst. Great for calming emotions and applying on topically for wounds, undiluted. Excellent for relaxing children, rubbed directly onto the bottom of feet before bed. This is one essential oil that tends to be not irritating applied directly to the skin, undiluted (applied “neat”).

Lavender essential oil should be kept in everyone’s mobile medicine chest. Rubbed into the temples, lavender may abort a headache in a short period of time (try combining with Rosemary or Peppermint oils). This can be added into Dr. Bronner’s to create a relaxing soap or cleaning solution or 15 drops/oz into a massage oil. Add into Red Raspberry Leaf oil for a homemade sunscreen moisturizer which doubles for burn recovery.  Wonderful vaporized in an Essential VAAAPP for a relaxing treat or added into some foods at appropriate concentration (1-2 drops) ~ ie. lavender chocolate or vanilla ice cream.

EO aficionados will find a depth of variety in the world of lavender ranging from the fragrance of fluffy amethyst clouds to a potent anti-microbial lung stimulating oil. Many different varietals of lavender are harvested, distilled and used around the globe (ie. Spike Lavender, Lavendin, Lavender, etc).  Different varietals may have more concentrated benefits of anti-microbial vs. relaxation or respiratory properties. Lavender is one of the most widely used essential oils today and can be found in baked goods, candles, cosmetic products, detergents, massage oils, perfumes, powders, soaps and teas. There are many different type of lavender, although English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most common. Others include L. burnamii, L. dentate, L. dhofarensis, L. latifolia, and L. stoechas.

Currently we are offering a high-elevation Swiss Alps Organic Lavender Vera which is very well-balanced and full-bodied with subtle layers ~ a sweet French varietal at an excellent price. Bulgarian Lavender offers the best value for the cost in my opinion and is almost tied for my favorite with the French (Vera). Our Shasta Lavender grows locally and comes from an artisanal distillation project outside Montague ~ we have large quantities on-hand (about 10 gallons!) and each bottle is literally distilled from a different field / distillation run, so each batch is unique and beautiful.

My favorite lavender that we have available in bulk quantity is Lavender Vera (Fine) which is offered at a slightly higher cost than Bulgaria & Mount Shasta, though still at an excellent price.

There are several other organic lavender essential oils that we offer and will stock frequently. I'll highlight them here:

Lavender, Fine (Vera), France

This lavender essential oil is a gorgeous organic high-elevation lavender from France. The distiller is a French master who produces some of the world's finest botanical extracts and uses premium quality organic lavender essential oil produced on his lands for this product. Excellent price, superior quality, my current go-to lavender!

Lavender, Bulgarian

Historically I have not been a fan of Bulgarian Lavender, which is generally produced in high volumes and can have a dull sharpness to its aroma. However I am delighted to share that we have discovered a beautiful Bulgarian family whom grows their own Organic / Unsprayed plants and distills their own oils. This is the most floral (almost fruity in nature) Bulgarian Lavender Essential Oil I have ever experienced - it’s absolutely delightful! Perhaps the sweetest of our options, this Lavender is lovely ~

Lavender, Mt. Shasta

Our Mt. Shasta collection of Lavender essential oil was cultivated in the fields of Montague on a ranch and each of our stock bottles came from a different field and artisanal distillation run. This oil is precious and everyone has its own unique qualities - in general, Mt. Shasta is very clean, soft, balanced and reminds me of what I expect Lavender to smell like - Calming and gentle ~

Lavender Mailette, Drome Valley, France AND Washington State

My favorite lavender I've ever smelt, sweeter than most varietals of lavender oil. Lavender Mailette is a french varietal of Lavendula angustifolia. John Steele states that some tested lavender mailette contain higher concentrations of linalool than other lavender varietals. Linalool is helpful for reducing anxiety, stress, muscle tension.

Uses

Diffuser: Place 1-2 drops to create a relaxing ambience at home, the workplace, or anywhere else a calming effect is desired. You can also place a drop or two on a cotton ball for similar effects.

Essential VAAAPP: Place 1 drop inside a clean glass VAAAPP vial. Apply flame one inch below the oil inside vial. Heat for approximately 3-5 seconds – you should NOT see smoke. Inhale as directed for a violet dream of relaxation. Enjoy at bedtime. May also be used during anxious moments. Very efficient delivery system into bloodstream immediately as noted in smoking/vaporizing absorption.

Migraine/Headache: Place 1-2 lavender essential oil drops on area above the lip directly underneath nose (avoid placing oil inside nasal cavity & keep out of eyes)

Topical pain massage: Place 1-2 drops lavender oil per 5ml carrier lotion or oil. Massage affected area as needed. This pain potion can be used for sore or crampy muscles including but not limited to menstrual cramping. Can be used neat (undiluted), and is typically a non-irritant. Still dilute if you have sensitive skin.

Head Lice: 10 drops tea tree oil and 1 drop lavender oil per 5ml carrier solution. Base solutions including ethanol and ispropanol (1:1) 50% in water or 96% ethanol by itself have been used in studies (Audino, Barker)

Terpenes: linalool, linalyl acetate, camphor, borneol, terpinene, 1,8-cineol, pinene, limonene, perilyl alcohol.

References

Altaei DT. Topical lavender oil for the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulceration. Am J Dent. 2012 Feb;25(1):39-43. Audino PG, Vassena C, Zerba E, Picollo M. Effectiveness of lotions based on essential oils from aromatic plants against permethrin resistant Pediculus humanis capitus. Arch Dermatol Res 2007. 299:389-392. DOI 10.1107/s00403-007-0772-7

Barker SC, Altman PM. An ex vivo, assessor blind, randomised, parallel group, comparative efficacy trial of the ovicidal activity of three pediculicides after a single application--melaleuca oil and lavender oil, eucalyptus oil and lemon tea tree oil, and a "suffocation" pediculicide. BMC Dermatol. 2011 Aug 24;11:14. doi: 10.1186/1471-5945-11-14.

Braden R, Reichow S, Halm MA. The use of the essential oil lavandin to reduce preoperative anxiety in surgical patients. J Perianesth Nurs. 2009 Dec;24(6):348-55. doi: 10.1016/j.jopan.2009.10.002. Cavanagh HM, Wilkinson JM. Biological activities of lavender essential oil. Phytother Res. 2002 Jun;16(4):301-8.

Cha JH, Lee SH, Yoo YS. Effects of aromatherapy on changes in the autonomic nervous system, aortic pulse wave velocity and aortic augmentation index in patients with essential hypertension. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2010 Oct;40(5):705-13. doi: 10.4040/jkan.2010.40.5.705.

Chang SY. Effects of aroma hand massage on pain, state anxiety and depression in hospice patients with terminal cancer. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2008 Aug;38(4):493-502.

Doroshyenko O, Rokitta D, Zadoyan G, Klement S, Schläfke S, Dienel A, Gramatté T, Lück H, Fuhr U. Drug cocktail interaction study on the effect of the orally administered lavender oil preparation silexan on cytochrome P450 enzymes in healthy volunteers. Drug Metab Dispos. 2013 May;41(5):987-93. doi: 10.1124/dmd.112.050203. Epub 2013 Feb 11.

Fu CY, Moyle W, Cooke M. A randomised controlled trial of the use of aromatherapy and hand massage to reduce disruptive behaviour in people with dementia. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013 Jul 10;13:165. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-165.

Goel N, Kim H, Lao RP. An olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and women. Chronobiol Int. 2005;22(5):889-904.

Grunebaum LD, Murdock J, Castanedo-Tardan MP, Baumann LS. Effects of lavender olfactory input on cosmetic procedures. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2011 Jun;10(2):89-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2011.00554.x.

Hay IC, Jamieson M, Ormerod AD. Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol. 1998 Nov;134(11):1349-52.

Heuberger E, Redhammer S, Buchbauer G. Transdermal absorption of (-)-linalool induces autonomic deactivation but has no impact on ratings of well-being in humans. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2004 Oct;29(10):1925-32.

Höferl M, Krist S, Buchbauer G. Chirality influences the effects of linalool on physiological parameters of stress. Planta Med. 2006 Oct;72(13):1188-92. Epub 2006 Sep 18.

Jimbo D, Kimura Y, Taniguchi M, Inoue M, Urakami K. Effect of aromatherapy on patients with Alzheimer's disease. Psychogeriatrics. 2009 Dec;9(4):173-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1479-8301.2009.00299.x.

Kasper S, Gastpar M, Müller WE, Volz HP, Möller HJ, Dienel A, Schläfke S. Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of 'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2010 Sep;25(5):277-87. doi: 10.1097/YIC.0b013e32833b3242.

Kim JT, Ren CJ, Fielding GA, Pitti A, Kasumi T, Wajda M, Lebovits A, Bekker A. Treatment with lavender aromatherapy in the post-anesthesia care unit reduces opioid requirements of morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Obes Surg. 2007 Jul;17(7):920-5.

Kim S, Kim HJ, Yeo JS, Hong SJ, Lee JM, Jeon Y. The effect of lavender oil on stress, bispectral index values, and needle insertion pain in volunteers. J Altern Complement Med. 2011 Sep;17(9):823-6. doi: 10.1089/acm.2010.0644. Epub 2011 Aug 19.

Komiya M, Sugiyama A, Tanabe K, Uchino T, Takeuchi T. Evaluation of the effect of topical application of lavender oil on autonomic nerve activity in dogs. Am J Vet Res. 2009 Jun;70(6):764-9. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.70.6.764.

Kritsidima M, Newton T, Asimakopoulou K. The effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomised-controlled trial. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2010 Feb;38(1):83-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2009.00511.x. Epub 2009 Nov 23.

Lewith GT, Godfrey AD, Prescott P. A single-blinded, randomized pilot study evaluating the aroma of Lavandula augustifolia as a treatment for mild insomnia. J Altern Complement Med. 2005 Aug;11(4):631-7.

McCaffrey R, Thomas DJ, Kinzelman AO. The effects of lavender and rosemary essential oils on test-taking anxiety among graduate nursing students. Holist Nurs Pract. 2009 Mar-Apr;23(2):88-93. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0b013e3181a110aa. Natural Standard Database: Lavender

Nord D, Belew J. Effectiveness of the essential oils lavender and ginger in promoting children's comfort in a perianesthesia setting. J Perianesth Nurs. 2009 Oct;24(5):307-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jopan.2009.07.001.

Ou MC, Hsu TF, Lai AC, Lin YT, Lin CC. Pain relief assessment by aromatic essential oil massage on outpatients with primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2012 May;38(5):817-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2011.01802.x. Epub 2012 Mar 22.

Sasannejad P, Saeedi M, Shoeibi A, Gorji A, Abbasi M, Foroughipour M. Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur Neurol. 2012;67(5):288-91. doi: 10.1159/000335249. Epub 2012 Apr 17.

Sayorwan W, Siripornpanich V, Piriyapunyaporn T, Hongratanaworakit T, Kotchabhakdi N, Ruangrungsi N. The effects of lavender oil inhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activity. J Med Assoc Thai. 2012 Apr;95(4):598-606.

Sheikhan F, Jahdi F, Khoei EM, Shamsalizadeh N, Sheikhan M, Haghani H. Episiotomy pain relief: Use of Lavender oil essence in primiparous Iranian women. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2012 Feb;18(1):66-70. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2011.02.003. Epub 2011 Mar 16

Shiina Y, Funabashi N, Lee K, Toyoda T, Sekine T, Honjo S, Hasegawa R, Kawata T, Wakatsuki Y, Hayashi S, Murakami S, Koike K, Daimon M, Komuro I. Relaxation effects of lavender aromatherapy improve coronary flow velocity reserve in healthy men evaluated by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. Int J Cardiol. 2008 Sep 26;129(2):193-7. Epub 2007 Aug 8.

Shimada K, Fukuda S, Maeda K, Kawasaki T, Kono Y, Jissho S, Taguchi H, Yoshiyama M, Yoshikawa J. Aromatherapy alleviates endothelial dysfunction of medical staff after night-shift work: preliminary observations. Hypertens Res. 2011 Feb;34(2):264-7. doi: 10.1038/hr.2010.228. Epub 2010 Nov 25.

Snow LA, Hovanec L, Brandt J. A controlled trial of aromatherapy for agitation in nursing home patients with dementia. J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Jun;10(3):431-7.

Vakilian K, Atarha M, Bekhradi R, Chaman R. Healing advantages of lavender essential oil during episiotomy recovery: a clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011 Feb;17(1):50-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.05.006. Epub 2010 Jun 17.

Woelk H, Schläfke S. A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder. Phytomedicine. 2010 Feb;17(2):94-9. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2009.10.006. Epub 2009 Dec 3.

** The information provided on this page is intended for educational and informational purposes only and reflects historical, cultural, and experiential perspectives. This product has not been evaluated or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual experiences may vary. Always use personal discernment and consult a qualified healthcare professional when appropriate, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. **

Discontinued Catalog of Lavender Varietals

Lavender Reserve (Lavendula angustifolia var. delphinesis), France (Discontinued)

High elevation, impressively complex lavender essential oil. For EO aficionados, this multi-dimensional lavender is an enticing option. So many layers of rich, deep velvet to submerge when inhaling. Not as sweet as the mailette and also the most complex bouquet we carry. OUT OF STOCK