Lavender ~ Spike Lavender ~ Lavandin

…what’s the difference and why does it matter?

Whether you are using a Lavender essential oil or are using products that contain “Lavender”, knowing the difference between Lavender, Spike Lavender and Lavandin is quite important.

We expect Lavender essential oil to smell beautifully soft, floral, and light, with a hint of sweet and warmth but why does some Lavender smell more herbaceous or camphoraceous, similar to eucalyptus or rosemary? Why are some more soothing and calming than others?

Let’s take a look:

The species called Lavandula angustifolia, the True Lavender, is the Lavender known to be soothing and calming to the skin, body and mind. Lavandula angustifolia is native to the Mediterranean (France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, etc.) and grows at higher altitudes. It is high in linalool and linalyl acetate, giving it soothing and regenerative properties for the skin and sedative properties to calm body and mind. Make sure your Lavender essential oil was steam distilled (not solvent extracted), from the fresh Lavender flowers and not of any other part of the plant.

Spike Lavender or Lavandula Latifolia has a much higher camphor content, which makes it energizing, supports focus and concentration, is good for achy muscles and joints, and great for respiratory support but it is not the right Lavender when you are looking for something to soothe your body, mind, and skin. So picking the right Lavender makes all the difference in the benefits you will experience!

Then what is Lavandin? Lavandin or Lavandula x intermedia is a hybrid of True Lavender and Spike Lavender. Lavandin is high in alcohols and esters, which are great for boosting immune response and cleansing effects but it does not have the strong calming effects to body and mind or regenerative effects to support the skin that we usually look for in a Lavender. The Lavandin plant also looks different, it grows larger than the other two species and has a unique three-pronged stem, with that producing more flower spikes to harvest.

Make sure to read labels, sourcing, distillation, production and quality control information provided by the manufacturer of your Lavender or “Lavender infused” products, to make sure you are using the right Lavender, for your specific needs, in its best and purest form.

10 Ways to Use Lavender

Most of us have Lavender essential oil in our repertoire of natural tools to support health and wellbeing but maybe there are some uses, we don’t think of that could be a wonderful addition to our daily/weekly routines.

Here are my 10 tips for using ‘True Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia):

#1 – Enhance your skin care / facial care products
Add Lavender essential oil to your cleansers, toners, moisturizers and lotions to soothe and support the regenerative process of the skin. How many drops? Click here for suggested dilution ratios.

#2 – Make a “skin care blend”
Create a special blend to support healing of the skin for minor cuts, scrapes, and skin irritations. For a 10ml roll-on bottle, add 20 drops Lavender, 8 drops Frankincense, and 8 drops Helichrysum, fill remainder with fractionated coconut oil. Apply as needed (do not apply to open wounds).

#3 – Create your own “after sun spray”
Create an after sun remedy that is cooling and soothing to your sun exposed skin. You’ll need a glass spray bottle, add 1 cup Aloe vera juice, 1/4 cup fractionated coconut oil, 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil, 10 drops Lavender, 8 drops Peppermint, and 5 drops Helichrysum. Shake well. Spray onto sun exposed skin. Avoid eyes and other sensitive areas.

#4 – Nurture Hair & Scalp
Does your hair break easily, needs to be stronger and more nourished? Do you have dry or itchy scalp? Lavender essential oil helps to nourish hair by hydrating, strengthening and offering soothing effects. Nourishing Hair Mask recipe (for breakage and dry hair): combine 1 tablespoon extra virgin coconut oil and 1 tablespoon jojoba oil. Warm mixture in the microwave for 10-20 seconds until it can be blended smoothly. Add 12 drops of Lavender essential oil, blend well. Apply to clean hair from roots to tips, massage your scalp as well if you have dry/itchy scalp. Leave in for 15 – 20 minutes. Rinse well with warm water. Finish off with 30 seconds to one minute of cold water.

#5 – Pamper Your Nails
Massage your nails with Lavender essential oil for nourishing and strengthening. This also offers wonderful support to nail beds and nail growth.

#6 – Diffuse at Night
Diffuse 4-6 drops at night for more restful sleep. If you don’t have a diffuser, create a mister with distilled water and Lavender, to lightly mist your pillow (shake well) before going to bed or apply a few drops to a cotton ball and place it next to your pillow.

# 7 – Release Stress & Relax Tension
Feeling stressed or tight in your shoulders, neck and traps? Add 1/4 teaspoon of fractionated coconut oil to your palms, add 1-2 drops of Lavender, rub hands together, then massage your neck, traps and shoulders to relax muscles tissue, release stress, and benefit from the calming effects.

#8 – Foot Soaks & Relaxing Baths
Add 4-8 drops of Lavender for each one ounce of himalyan or dead sea salt, blend well, then pour the Lavender infused salts into the bathtub or foot soak tub where the water is rushing in, that really helps blend it well with the water. Soak and relax. This can be a wonderful addition to a soothing evening routine.

#9  – Lavender Scented Laundry
Add 4-6 drops to cotton dryer balls. Use instead of dryer sheets that are loaded with harmful chemicals and irritants affecting the skin and respiratory system.

#10  – Infuse Your Dishes
Add 8 drops of Lavender essential oil (oil bottle has to be labeled as internal supplement – safe for internal use) to one ounce of Himalyan sea salt, stir for 1-2 minutes to blend well, add to salt grinder or salt shaker. Use Lavender infused sea salt for dressings, vegetable stir fry, sauces, roasted chicken, on top of roasted or backed potatoes or squash, sprinkle on bread with butter – get creative and enjoy!