Lavender and Lavandin essential oils are both derived from the same genus of plant, Lavandula, but the two oils have some distinct differences. Lavender oil is made from true Lavender or Lavandula angustifolia, a species of flowering herb with blue or purple stems and flowers, while Lavandin oil is made from a hybrid of Lavender and spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia), which has a much higher camphor content.
The aromatic profile of Lavender essential oil is sweet and floral, with subtle herbaceous and woody notes, while Lavandin oil is sharp and camphoraceous, with more of an astringent, woody, and herbaceous aroma.
The main therapeutic properties of the two essential oils are also quite different. Lavender oil has relaxing and calming properties, making it an ideal remedy for anxiety and insomnia, while Lavandin has antiseptic and antispasmodic activities, making it ideal for treating muscular pain, respiratory conditions, and skin infections.
Lavender oil is ideal for use as an air freshener and for aromatherapy applications, while Lavandin is more often used as an industrial fragrancer for soaps, detergents, and cosmetics. As Lavandin is much more camphoraceous than Lavender, it will overpower other oils, so it is best to use Lavandin oil for applications where a strong, sharp, and herbaceous aroma is desired.
What is Lavandin good for?
Lavandin is an evergreen shrub hybrid of lavender and spike lavender that is prized for its intense natural fragrance and oil production. The essential oils derived from Lavandin are quite versatile and are used for a variety of purposes.
The most common uses of Lavandin oil are in aromatherapy, cosmetics, and herbal products. Lavandin is known for its healing and calming properties, as well as its antiseptic and antifungal powers. Its essential oil is often added to shampoos, soaps, and perfumes to give them a subtle fragrance.
Lavandin oil has a relaxing, therapeutic effect when used in massage and is also used to enhance meditation and reduce stress. As an essential oil, Lavandin can help to relieve migraine headaches, ease congestion, and aid digestion.
Skin care products with Lavandin oil can help hydrate, treat acne, and reduce signs of aging. Lastly, Lavandin is a powerful insect repellent and is commonly used outdoors to ward off mosquitoes and other bugs.
What is another name for lavender oil?
The essential oil of the lavender plant is commonly known as lavender oil, however it is also sometimes referred to as lavandula angustifolia oil or Lavandula officinalis oil. In its undiluted, pure form, the oil is sometimes referred to as ‘true lavender oil’ or ‘original lavender oil’, whereas oil that is more heavily diluted may be referred to as ‘standardized lavender oil’.
Lavender essential oil has been used in various therapeutic and medicinal applications for centuries, and it has a range of therapeutic properties including natural antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties.
Is Lavandin Grosso lavender?
Yes, Lavandin Grosso is a type of lavender. It is actually an hybrid between true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia). Lavandin Grosso has very similar characteristics to lavender and is often used in products like soaps, perfumes, lotions, and bath salts.
It also has a potent aroma, more pungent and camphor-like than conventional lavender. It also is considered to be a better choice for use when extracting essential oil due to its higher intensity of scent and longer-lasting effects.
Lavandin Grosso can also be used in cooking and baking, where it has the same uses as conventional lavender.
Which lavender is most fragrant?
The most fragrant lavender throughout various lavender species is considered to be Lavandula angustifolia, or English lavender. English lavender is native to the Mediterranean and has a sweet floral aroma.
The essential oils derived from English lavender plants are widely used in the cosmetics and personal care industry for the pleasant scent it provides. It can be used in a range of products from soaps and shampoos to skincare and perfumes.
Other popular species of lavender that are also known to have a strong fragrance include Lavandula dentata (French lavender), Lavandula intermedia (butterfly lavender), and Lavandula latifolia (spike lavender).
What are the different types of lavender?
There are more than 45 varieties of Lavender (Lavandula) found across the world. Most common types of lavender used for culinary and medicinal purposes include English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas), Spanish Lavender (Lavandula latifolia), and Spike Lavender (Lavandula spica).
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most popular variety used in the culinary and medicinal industries. It is highly fragrant, has deep blue-purple flower spikes and is native to southern England and the Mediterranean.
English Lavender is considered the most useful and versatile of all lavenders.
French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) has thick leaves and is bluish-purple in color. The flowers have distinctive bracts, making it easy to identify. It is considered the most ornamental of all lavenders, and is commonly used in arrangements and bouquets.
Spanish Lavender (Lavandula latifolia) has fuller, broader leaves than other lavenders, and its flowers and leaves tends to be more silver-green in color. It has a light, sweet scent.
Spike Lavender (Lavandula spica) is native to Europe and North Africa. It has slender, pointed leaves and an intense, heavily scented essential oil. The essential oil is often used in perfumes and soaps.
The other less common types of lavender used for medicinal and aromatic purposes include Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), Fitch Lavender (Lavandula X chaytorum), Sweet Lavender (Lavandula agustifolia Natudous), and Dwarf Lavender (Lavandula multifida).
What is meant by Spike lavender?
Spike lavender is a type of true lavender that is native to the Mediterranean and North Africa. It is known for its distinctively strong and pungent aroma and is often used for aromatherapy and as an essential oil.
Spike lavender has a higher camphor content than other forms of lavender, higher amounts of terpinen-4-ol and a lower linalool content. This combination gives spike lavender its unique, piercing smell.
Used medicinally, spike lavender can help relieve respiratory congestion and is used as a natural insect repellent. The leaves and flowering tops of the plant are used to make oils and tinctures, while the flowers are often dried and used for decoration.
Spike lavender is used in many traditional remedies and has been found to have many powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Is Spike lavender the same as spikenard?
No, spike lavender and spikenard are two completely different plants. Spike lavender (Lavandula Latifolia) is a shrub that grows in the Mediterranean region and has a strong aroma. The essential oil of spike lavender has a heady, fruity aroma and is used mainly in fragrances, perfumes and soaps.
Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) is an evergreen perennial herbaceous plant native to the Himalayan region. The essential oil derived from Spikenard has a musky, sweet fragrance, and is used mainly in perfumes, cosmetics and traditional medicines.
Is lavender a spike flower?
No, lavender is not considered a spike flower. Instead, it is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family and is classified as an aromatic herb. Lavender typically grows as a bush and features sprigs of small, four-petaled flowers arranged in a spiral pattern.
The flowers come in purple, pink or white, and the scent is a sweet, floral aroma. The oil from the leaves and flower buds of lavender is commonly used in aromatherapy for its calming effects and has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes.
What does spike lavender smell like?
Spike Lavender, also known by its scientific name Lavandula Spica, is a type of lavender with a distinctly strong and earthy scent. It has a unique combination of a sweet and herbal aroma with a slightly minty edge.
When inhaled, the scent can be described as having a sharp, camphor-like scent combined with a floral note of soft and sweet lavender. The aroma has useful effects to help promote relaxation and soothe the mind, making it an excellent addition to products for aromatherapy.
Spike lavender is often used in perfumes and candles to achieve a calming, refreshing fragrance.
How do you grow lavender spikes?
Growing lavender spikes is a great way to decorate your garden with a little bit of the classic lavender look. The first step is to purchase your lavender plants, then prepare your soil by removing all debris, amending the soil, and tilling it to a depth of 8-10 inches.
Once you’ve prepared the soil, it’s time to plant the lavender. Place your plants 18-24 inches apart in a sunny area, and make sure they have good drainage. Water the plants, then mulch around them to help retain moisture and avoid weeds.
Make sure to keep the plants evenly watered and fertilize them once a quarter with a balanced fertilizer. Prune the plants frequently to encourage them to produce woody stems, or “spikes” and flower buds.
Deadhead the spent blooms to allow the plants tocontinue flowering. With tender care, you can enjoy blooming lavender spikes in your garden that will provide a long-lasting scent and vivid color.
Is Lavandin calming?
Yes, lavandin can be calming. Lavandin is a type of hybrid lavender that is created by cross-pollinating spike lavender with other lavenders. In aromatherapy, lavandin has a fresh and clean scent which can be calming and uplifting.
The scent of lavandin is known to have a calming effect, help relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and create a feeling of overall wellbeing. Additionally, lavandin’s antibacterial, antiviral, and antiseptic properties help to ward off infection, which can improve overall health and reduce stress.
There is also evidence to suggest that lavandin can help to improve sleep quality, reduce inflammation, and even improve alertness. All of these factors can contribute to increased overall calmness and a sense of wellbeing.
Does Lavandin help with sleep?
Yes, Lavandin can help with sleep. Lavandin is a non-toxic plant extract obtained from the lavender plant and contains a variety of essential oils and elements. Lavandin is a natural sedative and relaxation agent, acting on the nervous system to reduce stress and calm the mind.
Studies have found that it can help to promote quality sleep, as it has a calming and soothing effect on the body. Lavandin can also help reduce racing thoughts and anxiousness, enabling you to rest more easily.
Additionally, Lavandin has antispasmodic and muscle relaxant properties that can aid in recovery and reducing any physical tension and stiffness.
Can you eat Lavandin?
No, lavandin is not edible. Lavandin is a hybrid variety of Lavender that is grown for its aromatic oils, which are used for medicinal, culinary, and scenting purposes. Overseas, lavandin is sometimes distilled and used to create a type of liqueur.
Its oil can also be used in soaps, body care products, and perfumes. Lavandin is toxic when ingested and should not be eaten.
