January 12, 2023

Lavender Species: 3 Types of Lavender Used for Making Essential Oil

Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils on the market. “Lavender” refers to plants in the genus Lavandula, Family Lamiaceae. There are over 40 different species in the genus Lavandula with close to 500 different varieties amongst them. Essential oils that are extracted from different species of the lavender plant vary in aroma and therapeutic properties. Lavender plants are native to areas across Europe and North Africa and throughout the Mediterranean. .

Only a few species of the lavender plant are used for essential oil production including Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula latifolia, and Lavandula stoechas.

Lavandula angustifolia

Lavandula angustifolia is arguably the lavender species that is most commonly used for essential oil production. This species may be referred to as English Lavender, Bulgarian Lavender, High Altitude Lavender, or True Lavender.

Lavandula angustifolia grows as a shrub that reaches between 3 and 6 feet in height and produces pinkish-purple flowers in 3-inch spikes at the end of its stems. It is native to Mediterranean countries such as Spain, Italy, Croatia, and France.

While lavender essential oil is generally known for its high content of the monoterpene, linalool, Lavandula angustifolia is differentiated by the large number of esters it contains, especially linalyl acetate.

It is sometimes called High Altitude Lavender because the higher the altitude at which the plants are grown, the higher percentage of these esters it contains. Linalyl acetate and other esters help contribute to the soothing properties of this variety of lavender essential oil.

Lavandula angustifolia is a great choice to use in aromatherapy for balancing emotions, decreasing anxiety and stress, soothing respiratory distress, and easing headaches.

Ultimate Calm Diffuser Blend

Ingredients

4 drops of Lavandula angustifolia Essential Oil
2 drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
2 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil
2 drops of Bergamot Essential Oil

Instructions

Add water to your diffuser up to the fill line. Add drops of the essential oil blend. This diffuser blend recipe is formulated for a 200ml ultrasonic diffuser. Adjust the amount according to the size and directions of your diffuser.

Lavandula latifolia

Lavandula latifolia is most often known as Spike Lavender or Broadleaf Lavender because of its appearance. It can be found under the names Spanish Lavender or French Lavender as well.

Lavandula latifolia is a small shrub that grows between 10 and 30 inches high with broad, long leaves and pale purple flowers that grow in smaller spikes at the end of leafless stems. It is native to the western part of the Mediterranean region in places such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, and southern France.

Lavandula latifolia possesses the high linalool content of other lavender essential oils but does not have near the linalyl acetate content of L. angustifolia. This species of lavender is also known to have greater amounts of the monoterpene, 1,8 cineole, and the camphor terpenoid which give it powerful antibacterial properties and a more stimulating effect. Lavandula latifolia can also work to soothe headaches and respiratory issues while supporting the circulatory system. It can help to ease inflammation and speed the healing of minor wounds and burns while reducing aches and pains in the muscles.

Soothe and Heal Diffuser Blend

Ingredients

4 drops of Lavandula latifolia Essential Oil
3 drops of Geranium Essential Oil
2 drops of Wintergreen Essential Oil

Instructions

Lavandula stoechas

Lavandula stoechas is less commonly used for essential oil production but some seek this species for its unique benefits. It is referred to as Spanish Lavender, Topped Lavender, or Stoke Lavender.

Lavandula stoechas grows as a small shrub ranging from 12 inches to 40 inches in height. Its flowers are most often purple to pink in color but may appear white in rare cases. Lavandula stoechas is native to several Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and France.

Lavandula stoechas exhibits the highest concentrations of both 1,8 cineole and camphor among the varieties, making it especially suited for respiratory support. It helps to stimulate both the immune and respiratory systems while working to break up mucus and combat cold and flu symptoms. Lavandula stoechas ketones which increase their ability to drive out illness and infections by activating the body’s natural defense reactions. It. is also widely used in both insecticides, insect repellants, and air freshening products.