Latin (Botanical) Name: Lavandula Angustifolia
Plant Family: Lamiaceae
Common Extraction Method: Steam distillation
Typically Used Plant Part: Flower
Color: Light yellow close to clear
Aromatic Characteristic: Floral, fresh, sweet, herbaceous, slightly fruity and camphor aroma 
Lavandula angustifolia, more commonly known as Lavender, is a perennial, evergreen herb that has produced the world's most widely used essential oil for over 2500 years. Lavender, which thrives in dry, rocky, sandy terrain and oceanic climates, can be found in the Mediterranean region, Europe, Africa, the Canary Islands, the Middle East and India.
The name lavender is believed to come from the Latin word "lavare" meaning "to wash" as it is often used in bathrooms and laundry due to its fragrant properties. It is widely used for its relaxing effects on the body with a calming, physically and emotionally balancing fragrance. According to ancient texts, it was used to clean cuts, soothe bruises and skin irritations, and for spiritual healing. Historically, lavender was used for embalming and perfumery by the Egyptians, and for bathing and cooking by the Romans.
Today, there are more than 30 lavender species and hundreds of genotypes, distinguished by their growth patterns and the chemical composition of their essential oils.
Lavender plant growing conditions such as season, climate, humidity levels, cloud cover, and soil quality all contribute to the quality of the distilled essential oil.
The highest quality essential oil is obtained only from the steam distillation of fresh lavender flowers and no other parts of the plant.
It's best to avoid using lavender oil while pregnant, taking a medication that can cause drowsiness, or while taking anesthesia.
Lavender essential oil offers many benefits thanks to the active ingredients it contains.
KEY COMPONENTS / ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
BENEFITS
When lavender oil is diluted and applied to the scalp, it helps reduce lice [2]. It supports hair health [3] [4].
Inhaling lavender oil helps to improve sleep duration, improve sleep quality and provide relaxation [1]. Anxiety is one of the emerging psychiatric disorders of the last decades [5]. Lavender oil aromatherapy helps in the management of anxiety and depression [6]. As part of your pre-sleep routine, you can drip 6-10 drops into the water in your censer or electric diffuser to spread the scent, or you can drip 1-2 drops on your pillow.
Inflammation is one of the body's self-defense systems; It manifests itself with redness, swelling, pain and a feeling of heat. It is necessary to use anti-inflammatory to reduce inflammation. Thanks to the linalool it contains, lavender oil has anti-inflammatory properties; it helps to relieve edema and swelling, and soothe the inflamed skin [7] [8].
Lavender oil can help destroy harmful bacteria and fungi, reduce itching and swelling caused by insect bites, and combat scabies [1] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13].
WARNINGS
ACADEMIC STUDIES
[1] L. Sharma, M. Chandra, P. Ajmera (2018). Health benefits of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). International Journal of Physiology, Nutrition and Physical Education 2019; 4(1): 1274-1277
[2] Toloza AC, Zygadlo J, Mougabure-Cueto G et al (2006). The fumigant and repellent activity of aliphatic lactones against Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae). Memorias Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 101(1):55–56
[3] B. H. Lee, J. S. Lee, Y. C. Kim (2016). Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice. Toxicol. Res., Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 103-108 (2016).
[4] S. C. Barker, P. M. Altman (2010). A randomised, assessor blind, parallel group comparative efficacy trial of three products for the treatment of head lice in children - melaleuca oil and lavender oil, pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide, and a "suffocation" product. BMC Dermatol. 2010; 10: 6.
[5] Bandelow and Michaelis, 2015 Epidemiology of anxiety disorders in the 21st century Dialogues Clin. Neurosci., 17 (2015), pp. 327-335.
[6] J. Appleton (2012). Lavender Oil for Anxiety and Depression Review of the literature on the safety and efficacy of lavender. Natural Medicine Journal, Feb.2012, Vol.4, Issue 2.
[7] A. T. Peana, P. S. D'Aquila, F. Panin, G. Serra, P. Pippia1, and M. D. L. Maretti (). Anti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oils.
[8] M. Huo, X. Cui, J. Xue, G. Chi (2012). Anti-inflammatory effects of linalool in RAW 264.7 macrophages and lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury model. December 2012Journal of Surgical Research 180(1)
[9] T. Moon, J. Wilkinson, H. M. A. Cavanagh (2006). Antibacterial activity of essential oils, hydrosols and plant extracts from Australian grown Lavandula spp. December 2006International Journal of Aromatherapy 16(1):9-14
[10] Moon T, Chan YF, Wilkinson JM & Cavanagh HMA (2004). Antifungal activity of Lavandula essential oil and oil volatiles. AICA National Conference, 2004; abstracts p46.
[11] H. M. A. Cavanagh, J. M. Wilkinson (2005). Lavender essential oil: a review. Australian Infection Control, Vol10 Issue 1 March 2005.
[12] Moon T, Cavanagh HMA & Wilkinson JM. (2004). Lavender as an antibacterial essential oil - are all lavenders equal? AICA National Conference, 2004, abstracts p46.
[13] F. Fang, K. Candy, E. Melloul, C. Bernigaud, L. Chai, C. Darmon, R. Durand, F. Botterel, O. Chosidow, A. Izri, W. Huang, J. Guillot (2016). In vitro activity of ten essential oils against Sarcoptes scabiei. Fang et al. Parasites & Vectors (2016) 9:594
