Lavender Water

Latin (Botanical) Name:   Lavandula Angustifolia

Plant Family:   Lamiaceae

Common Extraction Method:   Steam distillation

Typically Used Plant Part:   Flower

Color:   Clear

Aromatic Characteristic:   Fresh, light, floral and sweet 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.

Lavender water is a byproduct of the lavender oil manufacturing process and shares many of the same properties as lavender oil. The difference is that the majority of lavender water is water. This means it is much less concentrated than lavender oil. Therefore, it can be applied directly to the skin without the need to dilute it with a carrier oil. It also has a milder, more subtle scent.

It offers many benefits thanks to the active ingredients it contains.

      KEY COMPONENTS / ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

• Linalool
• Borneol
• Camphor
• 8 Cineole
• Linalool oxide
• Geraniol

      BENEFITS

• It helps regulate mood:

 

• Skin friendly:

Lavender water is suitable for all skin types. Lavender water shows antioxidant characteristic because it is rich in phytochemicals and has a large number of terpenes, phenolic and lactone compounds that remain in it after distillation [4] [5] [6]. With its antioxidant characteristic it helps to slow down the effects of aging, moisturize the skin, improve its appearance and feel.

 

• It shows antimicrobial characteristic:

Lavender water helps provide soothing relief to minor burns and cuts and reduce pain [7] [8].

 

• It shows antifungal characteristic:

It helps to reduce the fungus that occurs on the skin and nails [9].

 

• It shows anti-inflammatory characteristic:

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 water shows anti-inflammatory characteristic; helps to relieve edema and swelling, and soothe the inflamed skin [10] [11].

      WARNINGS

• FOR EXTERNAL USE, NON-DRINKABLE.
• Avoid contact with eyes, in case of contact rinse with plenty of water.
• Do not use the product if you have a known allergy to any of its ingredients.
• It is recommended that children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people using medication should consult their doctor before using lavender water.

      ACADEMIC STUDIES

[1] Bandelow and Michaelis, 2015 Epidemiology of anxiety disorders in the 21st century Dialogues Clin. Neurosci., 17 (2015), pp. 327-335.

[2] Michael Wotman, BA; Joshua Levinger, MD; Lillian Leung, PAC; Aron Kallush, BA; Elizabeth Mauer, MS; Ashutosh Kacker, MD,2017. The Efficacy of Lavender Aromatherapy in Reducing Preoperative Anxiety in Ambulatory Surgery Patients Undergoing Procedures in General Otolaryngology, Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology 2 (1):437-441.

[3] B. Al-Mansour (2021). Review on the medicinal properties of some aromatic hydrosols. Zeugma Biological Science, 2021, v:2 n:1 p:1-19.

[4] Lesage-Meessen L, Bou M, Sigoillot JC, Faulds CB, Lomascolo A. (2015) Essential oils and distilled straws of lavender and lavandin: A review of current use and potential application in white biotechnology. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 99, 3375–3385.

[5] Torras-Claveria L, Jauregui O, Bastida J, Codina C, Viladomat F. (2007) Antioxidant activity and phenolic composition of lavandin (lavandula x intermedia emeric ex loiseleur) waste. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 55, 8436–8443.

[6] Blazeković B, Vladimir-Knezević S, Brantner A, Stefan MB. (2010) Evaluation of antioxidant potential of Lavandula x intermedia emeric ex loisel.“Budrovka”: a comparative study with l. angustifolia mill. Molecules, 15, 5971–5987.

[7] Kunicka-Styczyńska A, Śmigielski K, Prusinowska R, Rajkowska K, Kuśmider B, Sikora M. Preservative activity of lavender hydrosols in moisturizing body gels. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2015 Jan;60 (1):27-32

[8] D. Šilha, K. Švarcová, T. Bajer, K. Královec, E. Tesorava, K. Moucková, M. Pejchalová, P. Bajerová (2020). Chemical Composition of Natural Hydrolates and Their Antimicrobial Activity on Arcobacter-Like Cells in Comparison with Other Microorganisms. Molecules 2020, 25, 5654.

[9] Huff, E. A. and Writer, S.,2011. “Lavender oil is a powerful antifungal that fights skin conditions, Candida,” http://www.naturalnews.com/031470_lavender_oil_antifungal.html.

[10] 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.

[11] 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)