The Singles

The Lavenders

I am choosing to write a single piece comparing all of the Lavenders. This will avoid a lot of repetition, and make it easier to choose which one is best for the user.
LAVENDER Lavandula angustifolia syn. L.officinalis. The original wild strains were classified as L.vera. Vera in Latin means true, and you may still find a plant here and there if you’re hiking off the beaten path. It’ll be in dry, rocky places in full sun, and somewhat smaller than what you’ll find on the farms. Lavender seems to help virtually all body systems including the skin, so it’s almost hard to recommend it for anything, as it’s really good for everything! Before my trip to France, I had a few clients that were insistent that the above were 2 different species, as they had one of each, and they smelled different. I was adamant that they were simply 2 different batches, different farms, different distillers, earlier or later in the season etc, and on my tour, EVERY producer assured me that I was correct. Valerie Worwood, who has written many books about Oils and Aromatherapy, insists that ANY blend for anything, should have at least some Lavender in it! Because of its versatility, Lavender is very often a person’s first oil purchase, and some distributors will admit that their Lavender sales likely match all other oils combined.

The name comes from ‘Lavare or Lavandare’ in Latin, which means to bathe or wash. Would it not be lovely to start every day with a Lavender bath? Goodbye to Stress, Tension Headaches, mild aches and pains, again the list is endless. Clothes laundered this way would have the added benefit of protection from insects including moths. Even Mice stay away from the stuff, so fresh sprigs were often added to drawers of undergarments.

The 2 main components of Lavender are Linalol, and its ester Linalyl Acetate. Linalol, with smaller amounts of other alcohols, combine to nearly 40% of the oil, giving it the antimicrobial effects. Linalyl Acetate and smaller amounts of other esters, average 45% or more, creating the calming and pain relieving benefit. Together, these effects make Lavender a perfect 1st Aid oil, particularly for burns. If I’ve just bumped an oven rack, the first thing I want is an ice cube, to keep the heat from penetrating, then a couple drops of Lavender. Then I’ll assess the damage. Perhaps I’m done. If not, I’ll find some Aloe vera and a bandage, with a little Lavender on the dressing as well. Due to my swift actions, it likely won’t blister, but if it does, it’s in a super sterile environment that’s also astringent, so it’s going to heal really fast with no scarring.

Now, most people want Lavender to relax, and that’s where all those esters come in. Deep breathe it, buy a diffuser, or just put a tissue in a Coffee cup beside your computer, and put a couple drops on it. Is the floor carpeted? Just put a couple drops on the carpet. Who needs a diffuser? Too stressed to sleep? Put a couple drops on your pillow. Even with Silk, it won’t stain unless your linens are dirty, and if it does, it’ll come out in the wash. It’s been well documented that it won’t leave you feeling heavy or drowsy the next day. If your pillow cases do stain, it’s because a bad-ass distributor diluted your Lavender with a carrier oil.

Perhaps you’re inspired to make a relaxing blend for your home or office, or you just don’t like the smell of Lavender. Chemistry wise, the next closest thing is Geranium. Too ‘fluffy? Try Clary Sage. Stress at meal time causing digestive issues? Try Bergamot. These all have a similar level of Linalyl Acetate. Roman Chamomile is the King here with combined esters in the 85% range. If you subscribe to the ‘Notes’ system of blending, Lavender is a classic ‘Middle Note’ helping to ‘stretch’ and soften some of the other oils you may be using.

Although some Lavender in high hilly regions is still hand cut, most of the farms closer to sea level use trimmers pulled by a small tractor. The rows are just wide enough apart to facilitate this. The trimmers are adjustable to get just the flowering tops with a little foliage, as the leaves hold oils as well. Some fields are cut just a little higher to avoid any foliage at all, generating a more delicate floral scent that would be sold at a higher price to perfumers.

LAVENDER Population

Next time you’re in a stadium or arena, look across the field at the crowd across from you, and block off a section about 4 rows high and 20 people wide in your mind. Next to a pretty normal looking family, there’s an African American about 6 foot 8 inches tall. If he doesn't play Basketball, he should. Then an average 26 year old sitting next to a stunning blonde with huge breasts. A couple normal folks, then an older woman that’s so thin, she probably doesn’t cast a shadow when she turns sideways. Her assumed husband is wearing a baseball cap backwards, which isn’t really fitting for a man of his age. Again, some normal folks, one of the kids has messy red hair and a pile of freckles. An Asian couple, then a couple who look a little overdressed for a sports event. Next a group of ‘must be’ bikers that have a group of buddies sitting immediately above or below them, assumedly so they can pass beer or a joint back and forth. Back to average folks, but one has a brightly coloured polka dot shirt. What do we call this? A population. A random collection of human beings with different political and spiritual beliefs, but they’re all people.

While in Provence, I had the pleasure of meeting many growers, and often shared a meal with them, most of which would be from the farm itself, cheeses, breads, olives, Pate’ made from the Geese over by the driveway, Wine from their own vineyard, and so on. One of them had a large commercial operation where the fields went on forever, all of them bright and beautiful, as you might see on a Postcard, all the same color and height. Those are clones. It makes them easier to manage, and harvest. Closer to the house was a much smaller field where the flowers were about 12 different shades of purple, some of them more bluish, some even closer to gray, and the heights varied substantially. That’s a population. The proud owner explained that those plants were hand seeded with seeds from all over the region, and because of the height variances were also cut by hand. When we compared the oils produced from different areas of the farm, they were all beautiful, but the ‘population’ had all of these extra nuances of fragrance. I immediately thought of how many different ‘peaks’ must show up on their G.C. yet they’re all still the same species. Due to all of the hands-on labor cost, the oil we smelled that night was almost twice the price of their regular production, and you can bet we brought a little of it home.

Typically, if you Love Lavender and are going to enjoy it on its own, I think it's worth the extra money, but for blending, stick to the regular stuff. For a few years now, I’ve been finding

Population at very affordable prices which I find a bit suspicious, but I’ve been buying it anyway. Compare what you find out there, and decide for yourself.

SPIKE LAVENDER Lavandula latifolia
Botanically, Spike is structured quite differently than its cousin. Firstly, it’s quite a bit

larger overall, and the flowering stems are branched, whereas regular Lavender has a single spike on each stem. A spike is where we have a vertical arrangement of numerous flowers attached directly to the main stem. ( If each little flower had a tiny stem of its own, the arrangement is called a raceme). Although the flowers themselves are about the same size, the overall spike is considerably larger on this plant, and because of the branched stems there are considerably more flowers per plant. In as how we distill the upper flowering parts of the plant, the yield of oil is much higher than regular Lavender. This should be a good thing making the overall yield per acre much higher, and hence a lower price. The problem is that its chemical components are drastically different.

The Linalyl Acetate levels may be as low as 2-3% and the alcohols including Linalol are much higher. Overall, the oil has very similar chemistry to Eucalyptus radiata. Although it still smells ‘Lavender Ish’ we now have an excellent antimicrobial, but have lost most of the sedative effect, and wouldn’t likely be basing a perfume with it. Don’t get me wrong here, I Love Spike and use it in a lot of respiratory blends, especially for people who don’t like the smell of Eucalyptus. It’s my ‘Go to’ for Sinus and Ear infections. In fact, it’s the base oil for my version of the ‘Thieves’ blend and I’ve talked to many people who’ve used it with all of the benefits attributed to Lavender.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. Throughout France, people began noticing plants growing in ditches between fields of regular Lavender and Spike that appeared to have attributes of both. These may have been their own fields, or side by side with the neighbors, no matter. Once they realized the two species could hybridize, everyone was setting out to see what they could come up with. The experimental creations were given the name

LAVANDIN Lavandula hybrida or intermedia, often followed by a third word in reference to either the Chemotype or the botanist responsible, sometimes the proud landowner himself. In introducing the plant, or a whole field of it, the French like to giggle, perhaps with an elbow nudge or whatever and say "And here is our little Bastard Child!” Although many of them were quite coarse to begin with, some now have that Linalyl Acetate back in the 30-35% range, and smell quite frankly, like the real thing. Mission accomplished. Most of the hybrids I’ve seen are much larger in size than real Lavender, and with the yield profiles I’ve already mentioned, are more affordable. It has certainly taken over the commercial market in products like soaps and candles, bath salts and such, and why not? They’re more affordable!

These days, any of the postcard or calendar photographs you see of endless fields of big, lush Lavender are probably Lavandin clones, and if there’s no sign of some weeds out there, I’m betting they’ve been sprayed.

The problem for the consumer is that without a chemotype (and what does that mean?) you have no idea what you’re buying. In general, I’d have to just say that if you want it for fragrancing and such, if it makes you smile, or feel a little lighter, less anxious, then buy it! But if you’re self medicating a serious condition, I think you should still get guidance from a

professional. ALL of the Lavenders are antimicrobial, good for the skin and help with wound healing. They have GRAS status (Generally regarded as safe) with the government. I’m really surprised that some of these hybrids have Ketone levels up to nearly 20% which will make them outstanding for wound healing, be it surgery or a car crash. My nose can tell me a lot about what’s in that bottle, but that’s after years of training and using. High Ketone levels can be quite toxic, which is a lead-in to my last topic here

SPANISH LAVENDER Lavandula stoechas Although this species is a common garden variety, and used in a lot of culinary preparations, the oil is extremely high in ketones, and must be used cautiously. As opposed to relieving a headache, deep breathing this one is likely to give you one. That’s a warning sign that you’re reaching a toxic dosage. The expectorant effect will probably be in full effect by then, and you’ll likely have put the bottle down already due to all the coughing. Although you can still tell it’s a Lavender, it’s very coarse in comparison, and hardly something you would add to a perfume.

The bright side is that it’s an outstanding oil for open or closed wounds, and anything that already has, or is likely to form bruising. It’s definitely the most affordable oil in this category, rather a ‘poor man’s helichrysum’. We must keep in mind however, to be very careful with any of the ketone rich oils during pregnancy.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus comes from a large family of trees called Myrtaceae. This includes many species of Melaleuca (most commonly Tea Tree), Myrtle itself, Allspice, Clove, Indian Bay (Bay Rum and Old Spice products), and nearly 700 species of Eucalyptus, most of which are used for lumber and firewood. Cedar is a popular choice in our area for outdoor decks and furniture because the natural oils help resist rot and insect damage. Similarly, Eucalyptus is a popular choice ‘down under’. Also known as Gum Trees, Eucalyptus leaves are the staple food for Koala bears.

Out of all those species, only a handful are distilled for therapeutic work, E. globulus, E. radiata, E. smithii, E.citriodora, and to a much lesser degree, E. dives. All of them have a very high concentration of oxides, most notably cineole, which along with varying levels of simple terpenes, make the whole genus very effective expectorants.

E. globulus is most familiar to us, being used in products such as ‘Vick’s’ and ‘Fisherman’s Friend’. Respecting dosage issues with young children, and women during pregnancy, I have used these oils at full concentration for direct inhalation my entire career with no reported ill effects. Based on the fact that most respiratory illnesses are contracted through inhalation, I think that what I like to call an ‘airstrike’ is the best solution to fighting them. Put a couple drops in one of your palms, rub them together, and with eyes closed, cup your hands over your mouth and nose, and breathe deep. Depending on the species, you’re going to

cough, a little or a lot. E. radiata and smithii are more gentle, globulus more harsh. If you’re all stuffed up, go for the globulus, it has a stronger expectorant effect. What’s happening is that all those terpenoids, and ketones if necessary, are melting the excessive mucus in your airways, and it begins to slide deeper into the lungs. Sensory nerves pick up on that, making you cough out the phlegm. You’ll want a handkerchief handy, as all sorts of funky goo may come up. If you just feel something ‘coming on’ I would use radiata. It’s a better anti-viral and less harsh, but if you’re already stuffed up, go for the globulus. Maybe even add a touch of Peppermint to dilate the airways. Some people prefer to sit at the kitchen table with a few drops added to a pot of boiled water. Just sit there with your eyes closed and a big towel over your head.

Eucalyptus is also effective used on the soles of the feet, where it readily absorbs through the pores, and makes its way to the lungs via the veins. If used at full strength, your breath will smell like you’ve just had a cough drop within minutes. Imagine, treating a sore throat, or even tonsillitis by rubbing something on your feet! What a great idea at bedtime, or before going to the Airport! Definitely dilute the oil in some carrier oil for the young ones though. Some believe we shouldn't use Eucalyptus at all with children under 2. I don’t agree.
I would still do ‘Airstrikes’ but with diluted oils on my own hands held over their little faces until they start to cough and sputter a little. We still need an expectorant. Excess mucus is virtually always a dietary issue, but this isn’t the place for that discussion.

After initiating the World to Germ Theory’, Louis Pasteur is quoted as later saying “The Microbe is nothing, the terrain is everything.” We certainly don’t want oils on their own hands when they might rub their eyes or faces, but coughing a little is a good thing! Clean up the terrain! Being anti-viral, E.radiata is good to use at the first signs of cold sores, or in diffusers of any kind when there’s just something ‘going around’. Many people use it in the 5% range for sore muscles, after sports and such. Many of us grew up with Mom doing chest rubs with Vick’s type products while fighting a chest cold. I concur.
Being anti-viral, E.radiata is good to use at the first signs of cold sores, or in diffusers of any kind when there’s just something ‘going around’. Many people use it in the 5% range for sore muscles, after sports and such.

Lastly, deep breathing Eucalyptus or any of the leaf oils is a great idea to do before any sort of sports activity, or something as mundane as shoveling the walks. When you’re breathing better, every cell in your body has a little more ‘spark’ Whether at home or at work, anyone entering my ‘space’ pauses a moment, takes a deep breath, typically smiles a little, and says something like “I just Love your room!” They instantly feel safe and protected in some subtle way. Whether you’re studying, or working on Christmas cards at 2:00am, you’ll be just a little more awake. The leaves are where the plants breathe. Let them help YOU breathe! What more could you want for a couple of bucks?