Lavender Spike (Lavandula spica, latifolia) essential oil benefits
Lavender Spike has higher camphor content than all other lavenders and it is useful for respiratory conditions (decongestant), headaches and muscular aches.
Spike Lavender works well as a mental-boosting essential oil, for better concentration and focus.
Lavender Spike has higher camphor content than all other lavenders, and it is useful mainly for respiratory conditions and muscular aches; it is gentle enough to be used with children and the elderly to ease mild respiratory conditions (cough, blocked sinus, colds...)
Lavender Spike (Lavandula Spica) and Lavandin (Lavandula intermedia, a hybrid produced from angustifolia and spica) are also important essential oils, but with different chemistry.
Lavender is the most popular, versatile and effective Essential oil. Originally from continental Europe, it is now largely cultivated in many countries, from Siberia to New Zealand. The name “lavender” is derived from the Latin lavare, meaning, “to wash” as Lavender was considered by the Romans a great general fighter to many ailments and was largely used in the ‘bath houses’ (thermae). Lavender True (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most popular variety of lavenders; Lavender Spike (Lavandula Spica) and Lavandin(Lavandula intermedia, a hybrid produced from angustifolia and spica) are also important essential oils, but with different chemistry. The camphor content of Lavender Spike makes it more suitable than all other Lavenders for respiratory conditions and muscular aches and pains. It is also a good reviving oil.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Botanical Name: Lavandula spica, Lavandula latifolia
Method of Extraction: Steam distillation from the flowering tops
Origin: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy
Color: Pale yellow
Aroma: sweet, floral, herbaceous
Note: middle
Blends well with: all Lavenders, all Eucalyptus oils, Pine, Fir, Spruce, Bergamot, Chamomiles, Citronella, Clary Sage, Geranium, Jasmine, Lemon, Sweet Orange, Patchouli, Rosemary
Therapeutic properties: Analgesic, antibacterial, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, cholagogue, deodorant, diuretic, emmenagogue, hypotensive, insecticide, stimulant, stomachic, vulnerary.
HOW TO USE
Diffuse 3-6 drops every 5 hours to calm cough.
Dilute 4-8 drops max every 5 ml of carrier oil when preparing a massage blend for a muscle aches.
For skin rashes, sunburn, eczema (blend with Chamomile), itching (blend with Peppermint) a blend with aloe vera gel, or plain cream (1% dilution). For children and elderly with cold and cough, add 3-5 drops to an oil or balm base for a chest rub .
Lavender spike can be applied neat (=undiluted) max 1-2 drops to disinfect burns, cuts, and insects bites. Do not apply undiluted Lavender to children, during pregnancy and if suffering from Epilepsy.
