Lavender, Spike (Lavandula latifolia) essential oil, Organic
100% pure Lavender, Spike essential oil
Lavender Spike (Lavandula latifolia), Organic
Country of Origin – Spain
Steam distilled from organic flowering tops
Pure, undiluted, aromatherapeutic
10 ml and 15 ml sizes available in amber glass bottles with safety dropper caps
So many lavenders to choose from. This one in particular is distinctly different than the varieties of Lavandula angustifolia, commonly called True Lavender. Spike Lavender is definitely a "lavender" but from a different variety.
- Contains considerably more camphor and 1,8-cineole which increases its medicinal value, but decreases the relaxing properties.
- Scent is less sweet and flowery and more camphorous
- Often used for medicinal purposes such as relieving painful cuts and scrapes
- Useful in cold and flu blends and respiratory issues but more gently than oils with higher cineole content.
- Can be useful for mental stimulation and increasing alertness
- Useful for muscular aches and pains or injuries
- Has been reported to be useful for migraines. I personally use our Bulgarian Lavender, but haven't really tried the Spike Lavender and it would depend on what is causing the migraine
- Skin issues such as pimples and rashes
- Relieves insect bites
- Well known antibacterial and antifungal properties, with some antiviral properties
- Can be helpful for stimulating the immune system
- See GC/MS under DESCRIPTION TAB
See notes above for description. We will be adding recipes and formulas in the near future.
As you can see, Spike Lavender is not as expensive as our Bulgarian Lavender. This is true because when distilled, this plant produces almost three times as much essential oil as "True Lavender" and is, therefore, sometimes used to adulterate True Lavender. Another good reason to know how to read your GC/MS reports. Spike Lavender is also grown at lower altitudes and makes for easier farming and as per Salvatore Battaglia loves growing by the sea. Lavandin and Spike Lavender are often passed off to other industries such as soapmaking and perfumery to be used as "lavender".
The scent? I personally love this lavender because I'm not expecting the flowery smell of the true lavender (which I do very much love - it's just different). You will notice the more medicinal, but not unpleasant, scent of this oil. It's bright and clean and fresh, but still smells like lavender. Which is why I like to use it in respiratory blends, muscle relief blends or antiseptic type blends.
Andrea Butje in her excellent book "The Heart of Aromatherapy" suggests that Spike Lavender could and should be used prior to a workout to help stimulate the circulaton and prevent cramps. Also this is helpful for muscle pains when you still want to be alert and not in a more sedated condition that Lavandula angustifolia would cause. I love this that she wrote - "Spike Lavender has the same comforting, nurturing personality (as true lavender), but with a 'kick' that encourages you to get back out there and keep going. It loves giving pregame pep talks to make you feel empowered and congratulating you so you keep feeling good after you're done playing." I love the way she has written this book - please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy.
GC/MS of Spike Lavender (Lavandula latifolia) – Lot #713210
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Pure, unadulterated, undiluted essential oil of Lavandula latifolia. Country of origin - Spain.
Please, please, please do not drink essential oils. Do not put this essential oil in your water and use it ONLY diluted (see our dilution chart) for your specific purpose. This particular batch of lavender is from Spain, but it is not "Spanish Lavender", which usually has a higher camphor content and it's botanical name is Lavandula stoechas. Robert Tisserand says that Spike and Spanish Lavenders may be "mildly neurotoxic" due to their camphor content. However, because of its percentage of linalool, it may, as Robert Tisserand says, "mitigate the neurotoxicity of camphor" that exists in Spike Lavender. The camphor also, however, makes it useful for colds and respiratory issues, as well as aching muscles. The GC/MS on this batch of Spike Lavender has camphor as only 12%. Due to the relatively high content of linalool, this oil can possibly become oxidized, so keep in a cool, dark place and keep the dropper safety cap on when not in use. The oil when undiluted (don't do it!) can be irritating. Some of this can occur when an essential oil is not properly stored. Not hazardous during pregnancy.
Useful in daytime blends and use cautiously in children under 10, just being sure to adequately dilute the essential oil.
Rosemary's Easy Focus Headache Inhaler (from Andrea Butje's book, page 213)
9 drops rosemary ct camphor
3 drops spike lavender
3 drops basil ct linalool
For children:
4 drops orange
1 drop lavender (assuming she means Spike Lavender?)
1 drop basil ct. linalool
TESTIMONIALS: Please send your personal opinions and/or experiences with the use of Spike Lavender to annrn@wingsets.com and/or post it on our Facebook page. We sincerely appreciate your input.