5390. Lavender

Nomenclature

Garden lavender; true lavender.

Description and references

Aromatic, woody perennial, Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (syn. L. officinalis Chaix.), Labiatae. Parts used are the fresh or dried flowering tops and the essential oil. Also used for oil production are spike lavender (L. latifolia, syn. L. spica) and lavandin referring to hybrid varieties including L. abrialis and L. hybridia. Habit. Mediterranean region; cultivated widely. Constit. Volatile oil (1-3%), tannins, coumarin, umbelliferone, herniarin, flavonoids. Comprehensive description: M. T. Lis-Balchin in Handbook of Herbs and Spices, Vol. 2, K. V. Peter, Ed., (Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, 2004) pp 179-195. Characterization of essential oil: R. Shellie et al., J. Chromatogr. A 970, 225 (2002); A. R. Fakhari et al., ibid. 1098, 14 (2005). Review of clinical studies of psychological effects: M. Kirk-Smith, Int. J. Aromather. 13, 82-89 (2003); of medicinal uses: J. Gruenwald et al., PDR for Herbal Medicines (Medical Economics, Montvale, 3rd Ed., 2004) pp 285-288.

Derivative

Lavender oil.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 8000-28-0
Oil of lavender.

Description and references

Volatile oil obtained by steam distillation of fresh flowering tops of L. angustifolia. Constit. Complex mixture of components, chiefly linalool (20-50%), linalyl acetate (30-40%), terpinen-4-ol, lavandulyl acetate, lavandulol.

Properties

Colorless or yellow liquid. d2525 0.875-0.888. nD20 1.459-1.470. Rotation: 3° to 10°. Slightly sol in water; sol in 4 vols 70% alcohol. Insol in propylene glycol. Keep well closed, cool and protected from light.

Derivative

Lavandin oil.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 8022-15-9
Abrial lavandin oil.

Description and references

Volatile oil obtained from flowering tops of L. abrialis or other hybrid varieties. Constit. Linalool, linalyl acetate, eucalyptol, camphor.

Properties

Pale yellow to yellow liquid with a slight, camphoraceous odor. d2525 0.885-0.893. nD20 1.460-1.464. Rotation: 2° to 5°. Sol in most fixed oils, propylene glycol, with opalescence in mineral oil, in 2 vols 70% alcohol. Relatively insol in glycerin.

Derivative

Spike lavender oil.

Nomenclature

CAS number: 8016-78-2
Oil of spike.

Description and references

Volatile oil from dried flowers of L. latifolia. Constit. 40-60% eucalyptol and camphor, linalool, linalyl acetate (1%).

Properties

Pale yellow to yellow liquid; camphoraceous lavender odor. d2525 0.893-0.909. Rotation: 5° to +5°. nD20 1.463-1.468. Sol in most fixed oils, propylene glycol, in 3 vols 70% alcohol; slightly sol in glycerin, mineral oil. Keep well closed, cool and protected from light.

Use

Fragrance component in cosmetics, soaps, lotions, perfumes. Flavor in beverages, desserts, aromatic vinegars. Oil in aromatherapy for a soothing, calming effect.

Therapeutic Category

Carminative, astringent, antiseptic.