Lavandin

Lavandula x intermedia belonging to the Family Lamiacea, is a hybrid and was created in the 1920’s by crossing Lavandula officinalis (true lavender) andLavandula latifolia (spike lavender). It is a hardy plant, which is easy to grow and produces twice as much oil as true lavender. It reaches a height of about 2 – 2,5 feet (60 – 80 cm). The flowers can be bluish-mauve like true lavender or greyish-mauve like spike lavender. It is cultivated on a large scale in the South of France with smaller quantities being cultivated in Argentina, Spain, Italy, Hungary and Yugoslavia. A pale yellow to colourless essential oil is steam distilled from the fresh flowering tops, which produces a yield of around 1 – 2%. Lavandin has been used mainly in the fragrance and perfume industries to extract linalool. It is unfortunately often used as an adulterant and added to the more expensive true lavender.

Lavandin is extensively used in soaps, creams, detergents, room sprays, hair preparations and industrial perfumes. It is also used as a flavor ingredient in most major food categories and as a natural source of linalool and linalyl acetate.

Psychologically, Lavandin is calming and thought to be helpful in cases of chronic migraine and listlessness. Considered helpful for those suffering from deep anguish. It is more stimulating than Lavender and does not have a sedating effect.

On the physiological level it has antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties and may be helpful athlete’s foot, acne, infectious skin diseases, allergies, wounds, as well as joint pains, cramps and muscular aches and pains.

Contraindications:  Generally considered non-toxic, non-irritating, non-sensitizing and non-phototoxic.

Beverley Hawkins, Aromatherapy 201 Course 2000 ….. 2006