The essential oil of lavender is one of the essential oils to have in your medicine cabinet. But we are often lost as for the diversity of the existing essential oils of lavender. How to find it?
How to choose the right essential oil of lavender ?
True LavenderThese essential oils are derived from very similar plants, but have different properties. In addition, they can sometimes be found under different names, which increases the confusion. We help you to find your way.
It is indeed important first of all to name the different essential oils that can be found on the market. The ideal is to know the Latin name of the plant you want to use to avoid confusion.
- La lavande vraie(lavandula angustifolia) is also called lavender officinale or fine lavender. It can be found under other Latin names (old:lavandula officinalis or lavandula vera);
- La lavande aspic(lavandula latifolia( formerly lavandula spica) is also called broad-leaf lavender;
- Le lavandin ou lavandin super(lavandula burnatii super) is a hybrid between the two lavenders mentioned above; its essential oil, less expensive, is much more used in cosmetics and industry.
We will focus here on the essential oils of true lavender and lavenders aspic but it is important to know the existence of lavender essential oil, fragrant and with anti-stress virtues.
True lavender and spike lavender essential oil: properties and uses
If these two plants are of course very similar, their uses differ and their properties as well as the precautions of use are different from one plant to another.
True lavender essential oil
Daniele Festy, in her Bible of essential oils, states: "If you only buy one essential oil, it is this one ". This is to say how essential this essential oil is.
The essential oil of True lavender or true lavender is used both in cosmetics, for its fragrance, but also for its renowned therapeutic virtues. This essential oil is known to heal wounds of the body as well as the mind.
Properties of essential oil of fine or true lavender :
- It is an excellent muscle relaxant;
- It is a calming essential oil: it helps to calm tensions, to manage stress, to regulate sleep problems;
- It reduces cardiovascular problems by its vasodilator effects and facilitates blood circulation;
- It is antiseptic, antifungal and antibacterial;
- It is analgesic - helps to reduce pain;
- It is healing.
It is also an essential oil that keeps away insects and parasites, both on the human body (mosquitoes, lice) in preventive use and in the house (effective anti-moth).
- Precautions for use and instructions for use of the essential oil of true lavender :
This essential oil is one of the best tolerated. It can be used by the whole population, except for newborns and pregnant women under three months.
For people with sensitive skin, for cutaneous use, it is preferable to dilute it in a littlevegetable oil.
The essential oil of fine lavender ou true lavender can be used pure
- on the skin,
- by mouth or
- respiratory, via a diffuser or to breathe directly from the bottle.
It is completely edible, and can thus be integrated into culinary preparations or herbal teas as much for its virtues as for its taste and its subtle odor.
The essential oil of lavender aspic
Lavender aspic is harvested throughout the Mediterranean basin. This essential oil is the ally of the skin and the small hurts of the vacations.
Properties of essential oil of lavender aspic :
- This essential oil is a remarkable cutaneous analgesic. It soothes and treats burns, bites and insect or plant bites;
- Like true lavender, the essential oil of lavender aspic is also a very good antifungal and antibacterial (especially against staphylococcus aureus);
- It treats many dermatological problems, such as acne, herpes or mycosis;
- It is a good healing agent for wounds or pimples.
- Like true lavender, it is also (to a lesser extent) soothing for nervous tension.
- Precautions for use and instructions for use of essential oil of lavender aspic :
The essential oil of lavender aspic is not recommended for pregnant women, children under six years old, people with epilepsy or asthma.
Rich in linalool (nearly 50%) and camphor, it should be avoided by people allergic to linalool or perfume more generally. It can become allergenic in the event of repeated use; one avoids then a pure use more than three consecutive days.
Beyond these specific cases, it can be used pure,
- by cutaneous way: one puts a drop on an insect pimple for example to avoid itching.
It is also used:
- by the olfactory way,
- en respiration ou
- in broadcasting.
Atmospheric diffusion is to be preferred for children and people with more sensitive skin.
If these two essential oils have similar properties (soothes tension, antibacterial and antiseptic), that of true lavender is really multi-purpose while essential oil of lavender aspic is particularly effective for skin problems.
The latter should be used more cautiously than essential oil of fine lavenderwhich has no real contraindications.
French lavender essential oils are renowned for their quality and their richness in active principles; therefore, prefer these, especially the essential oil of fine lavender PDO of Provence.