Botanical name Lavandula stoechas
Family Lamiaceae
Source Flower
Origin Spain
Processing Method Steam Distillation
Color/Consistency A thin, clear, pale yellow liquid.
Aromatic Summary / Note / Strength of Aroma A top note with a strong aroma, Lavandin Oil has a strong, somewhat piercing, camphor-like smell with some light, floral undertones characteristic of Lavender.
Blends With Lavandin oil blends perfectly with essential oils of Bergamot, Citronella, Le,ongrass, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Pinem, Jasmine, Thyme and Patchouli.
Product Abstract
Lavandin is an aromatic evergreen shrub that is much larger than true Lavender. An evergreen woody shrub growing to 3 feet high with green, narrow, linear leaves producing violet-blue flowers, the entire plant is covered with oil glands, which are in the star-shaped hairs that cover the plant. The flowering heads are more compressed with a dull, gray blue color. This hybrid apparently evolved naturally near the seas in Spain, Italy and France. It is now commercially produced in these same countries. Lavandin is used almost exclusively for scent. Many commercial manufacturers use both Lavandin Grosso and Lavandin Abrialis as replacements for Lavender 40/42, but they have a much rougher, camphorous scent. It is a popular choice amongst both aromatherapists and massotherapists for its constituents and pleasant floral scent.
History
Lavandin is the Latin genus referring to Lavender. There are about 39 different recognized species of this plant. Countless variations have been produced due to the ability to cross pollinate with other members in the Lavender spices.Lavandula was thought to originate in Asia but the greatest plant diversity is found in the western regions of the world.
Harvesting/Extraction Information
Essential oils are produced in the cells of aromatic plants and are held in specialized glands. They are released from the plant and collected (concentrated) most often through steam distillation (and sometimes hydro or water distillation or a combination thereof). Distillation is a method of separating components based on differences in volatile constituents in a heated mixture. Steam distillation involves bubbling steam through the plant material.
Common Usage
Caution
Due to the high content of camphor in this oil, please avoid it if under the care of a physician. Dilute before use; for external use only. May cause skin irritation in some individuals; a skin test is recommended prior to use. Contact with eyes should be avoided.
Key constituents
Camphor 16.4–56.2%
(β)-Fenchone 14.9–49.1%
1,8-Cineole 3.6–14.5%
α-Pinene 3.4–4.5%
Camphene 2.8–5.5%
Myrtenyl acetate 2.0–4.3%
Bornyl acetate 1.8–3.1%
Linalool 0.8–2.2%
Myrtenol 0.6–2.4%
δ-3-Carene tr–1.9%
(β)-Limonene 1.0–1.4%
Ledol 0.5–1.2%
Safety summary
Hazards May be neurotoxic, based on camphor content.
Contraindications (all routes) Pregnancy, breastfeeding.
Maximum adult daily oral dose 250 mg
Maximum dermal use level 8%
Our safety advice
Our oral and dermal restrictions are based on 56.2% camphor content and camphor limits of 2 mg/kg/day and 4.5%.
Organ-specific effects
Adverse skin reactions No information found. Fenchone is relatively non-irritant and non-sensitizing.
Systemic effects
Acute toxicity No information found. The rat acute oral LD50 for fenchone is 6.16 g/kg. Camphor minimum LD50 is 1.7 g/kg in rats. Camphor is potentially neurotoxic and is thought to be more toxic in humans than in rodents.
Carcinogenic/anticarcinogenic potential No information was! found for Spanish lavender oil, but it contains no known carcinogens.
Comments
The camphor content is significantly higher than that of true lavender oil (<1%). Mainly produced in Portugal, though the analysis above is from Corsican oils. Six subspecies are known, stoechas being the most important.