- An essential oil still for sale in a French market. Photo credit Sharon Falsetto.
Guest Writer Just Back from France – Please welcome a fellow writer of mine. Whenever I am able, I like to bring you inspiration to garden from another’s perspective. So enjoy, Stay Gardening thoughts from Sharon Falsetto.
I recently had the good fortune to visit the south of France on an aromatherapy study which involved the study of various plants and procedures of the essential oil distillation process. No doubt, like many, you are thinking, “ahhh! Lavender!” as other visitors to this area first think too. However, what many visitors don’t realize, when they are gazing out over those fields of lavender from their tour bus, is that, depending upon altitude and area, they might not actually be looking at lavender at all. Here’s the difference between what actually is lavender and what is not.
Fields of Lavandula angustifolia in France. Photo credit Sharon Falsetto.
True Lavender
True lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most favorite lavender species used as an essential oil in aromatherapy practice. True lavender is also found in many backyards and gardens from here to Europe. However, true Lavender only grows at altitude of above 2,000 ft. Native to the Mediterranean region, it has small purplish-blue flowers and is the most fragrant of the lavender scents. Botanically speaking, true lavender has a single spikelet of flowers whereas a plant called lavandin (more detail below) has three spikelets of flowers.
The ancient Greeks used lavender to treat throat infections and to ease constipation; European herbalists used lavender water in the treatment of head lice. A consistent member of herb gardens since the middle ages, lavender was known to be an ancient folk remedy, said to “comfort the stomach and the soul.”
True lavender is regarded as the most versatile of essential oils therapeutically. The essential oil is predominately composed of esters which makes lavender a gentle, balancing oil, and perhaps the reason for its popularity. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and antiseptic. It is useful in easing muscle pain, headaches, insomnia, burns and women’s problems. It can also be used as a deodorant and an insecticide.
Lavandin
- Lavandula x intemedia ‘Seal’ is one of many hybrids of lavender. Photo credit Missouri Botanical Garden.
Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), is in fact a hybrid ( a cross between Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia) and is generally found growing at lower altitudes, i.e, that which is below 2,000 feet. Lavandin has blue or gray-blue flowers and is a favorite in the perfumery industry due to its plentiful supply and low pricing (probably another reason people are confused by the familiar scent often incorrectly described as “lavender.”)
Lavandin essential oil mimics the healing benefits of true lavender. It is anti-viral, anti-infectious and warming; it is useful for coughs and colds, as a muscle relaxant and is used to ease anxiety and insomnia.
Lavender in Aromatherapy
Lavendula Hidecote is grown in Midwest home gardens. Photo credit Chris Eirschele.
There are many different species of lavender, including other lavender species which are used in aromatherapy practice. However, true lavender is probably the most popular species in more ways than one. Just remember that true lavender is not lavandin and lavandin is not true lavender. Its probably not going to make much difference to your visual pleasure of this popular, aromatic plant but when it comes down to aromatherapy use (and in the garden world), the difference really is in the detail!
And, if you are fortunate to visit the south of France to see lavender growing in the fields, just remember, you might actually be looking at lavandin, depending upon where you are…
Spanish lavender plants produce purple flowers with a distinctive form. They are popular in the Southwest. Photo credit Chris Eirschele.
References:
- Penny Price Aromatherapy Study Tour to France, July 2012
- Caddy, Rosemary 1997 Essential Oils in Color Amberwood Publishing Ltd: Kent, UK
- Lawless, Julia 1995 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils London:Element
- Price, Shirley 2000 Aromatherapy Workbook Thorsons:London, UK
- Author’s observations and experience
- Aromatherapist and writer, Sharon Falsetto, in France. Photo credit Sharon Falsetto.
About the Author:
Sharon Falsetto is a UK certified aromatherapist living in the United States; she owns her own business, Sedona Aromatherapie, offering aromatherapy courses for the beginner and creates custom aromatherapy blends. She also writes professionally, predominately about aromatherapy, and has been published in Aromatherapy Today, The NAHA Professional Journal and 928 Brides. Sharon offers a professional aromatherapy writing service for other aromatherapists and aromatherapy companies.
If you would like to learn more about lavender, Sharon currently has a short course available on lavender aromatherapy; for information on all courses, visit www.sedonaaromatherapie.com
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