Lavender, Lavandin, and Spike Lavender Essential Oils -- What's the Difference?

Visiting a "lavender" field in France

When I host classes attendees are often surprised that the lavender essential oil I use smells different than the one they are used to (especially if they get they get their oils from a multi-level marking company or MLM) and very often they like it even more.

I typically offer Bulgarian lavender during classes and many people are surprised to learn that lavender sourced from different areas can have unique aromas.

People may also surprised to learn that when they see lovely fields of purple "lavender" in the country-side of France or elsewhere it may not be what they think it is.

Those purple fields might house Lavandula angustifolia , often considered "true lavender" or "garden lavender", Lavandula latifolia or 'spike lavender' or lavandin , a non-fertile hybrid of the two species (L.  angustifolia x L. latifolia). Or it could even be Lavandula stoechas or Spanish lavender which I won't be delving into for this post as it varies quite significantly in chemistry and morphology from the other lavenders.

Lavandula angustifolia or 'true lavender' is used to distill the floral, herbaceous essential oil commonly known as 'lavender essential oil'. But here's the kicker -- its aroma and chemistry can vary based on where it's grown.

If you typically order from an MLM lavender is simply lavender. If you order from a more nuanced aromatherapy supplier and search "lavender" it's a different story.

Lavandula angustifolia or 'true lavender' can include lavender from Bulgaria, France, England, the United States, wild lavender, and even specify different altitudes. These types of lavender will vary in aroma and chemistry but in general will have a high linalool and linalyl acetate content and therapeutically offer similar properties: calming, soothing, and sedative.

The aromas of the different lavenders might be described as "sparkling, fresh, floral" or "sweet, herbaceous, clean", or "fine with a soft green woody back note" or even "powdery". It's easy to note that they each smell unique -- but sometimes a challenge to describe the aroma. But it's wonderful to experience.

Sometimes those lovely purple fields are growing Lavandula latifolia or 'spike lavender'. I like to call it 'lavender with attitude'. Its aroma and chemistry differ from the calming lavender most people are used to. And personally I find it a bit too arousing to use in anything meant for sleep but it's perfect to ease head pain or support relaxed focus.

I say that because I once used spike lavender in a personal sleep blend inhaler and found it left my mind feeling more alert than ready to nod off to sleep.

The chemistry of spike lavender (L. latifolia) is kind of like like a mix of lavender and eucalyptus with a touch of rosemary. It typically contains high amounts of the relaxing monoterpenol linalool, as well as appreciable amounts of the oxide found in eucalyptus, 1,8 cineole, as well as the ketone camphor but with .

Like lavender it blooms in lovely purple fields but its chemistry, aroma, and resulting oil is oh so different from so called "true lavender" (L. angustifolia).

And then there's lavandin. Known as L. angustifolia x L. latifolia or Lavandula hybrid. It offers a higher yeild of essential oil than "true lavender" and is seen as a cost effective alternative to "true lavender" (L. angustifolia) and is often used for cosmetics, soaps, candles, and cleaning products.

It's aroma can be described as herbal/floral, green, fresh, camphoraeous.

As you can see there's a whole lot more to lavender than meets the eye. Purple field in France? Is is L. angustifolia? L. latifolia? or Lanavdula hybrida (lavandin)?

Understanding the species, chemistry, and aroma matters.

So many people I meet in my aromatherapy classes and who enjoy my products love lavender and it's fun to expose them to the diversity of lavender plants and essential oils.

Interested in hosting a class to explore different types of lavender? Looking for a custom aromatherapy or cosmetic formulations or just have questions about lavender?

Book a discovery call or contact me. I'd love to help.

Aromatic blessings,

Tricia