Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a fresh, sweet, floral, herbaceous aroma that is soothing and refreshing. Because it is the most versatile of all essential oils, no home should be without it. Lavender is an adaptogen, and therefore can assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances. It is a great aid for relaxing and winding down before bedtime, yet has balancing properties that can boost stamina and energy. Therapeutic-grade lavender is highly regarded for skin and beauty. It may be used to soothe and cleanse common cuts, bruises, and skin irritations. The French scientist René Gattefossé was among the first to discover these properties when he was severely burned in a laboratory explosion. Lavender may also be used to enhance the flavor of foods.

Code 3575 15 ml

Lavender therapeutic grade essential oil is Generally Regarded As Safe (by the FDA) for internal use.

Dilution not required for lavender therapeutic grade essential oil; suitable for all but the most sensitive skin. Generally regarded as safe for children over 6 years of age.

Distributor Tips

“A friend I introduced essential oils to a few months ago asked what oil she could use for her very active grandchildren, ages five, three, and two, when she watched them. I suggested lavender and to apply it to their feet. She said it worked great and the children loved it. The other day she called me laughing. She told me when she went over to their house recently, they called to her from the living room. When she walked into the room, all three had their little bare feet in the air chanting, 'Lavender, Grandma, lavender!'” - Sandy Dhein

"I have been using lavender full-strength on my face for the past two and a half weeks and have seen a marvelous change in my skin. I only do it once a day, usually in the morning. I apply the oil before I use any moisturizer. My pores are getting tighter and my wrinkles are diminishing."
-Mary Jane Cushing

"In the past, whenever I would get the hiccups, I'd suffer through them, and they'd come and go for about twenty-four hours straight. The last few times I've had the hiccups, I've put a couple of drops of lavender oil in my hand and rubbed my hand across my abdomen where my diaphragm is and the hiccups were gone in a minute or two. And the neat thing is they don't come back any time soon!" - Ingrid Eggett

(These tips come directly from distributors and are passed on to you. The company assumes no liability for any damage caused by use of this tip.)

The Quality of Lavender

The historical record of lavender dates back over 1,000 years and includes tales of driving away evil spirits, calming the emotions and soothing the psyche. The Abbess Hildegard (1098-1179) and the early Herbals (written by Gerard in 1636 and Culpepper in 1653) mention the power of lavender for restoring well-being. (1) Traditional use and folklore references to lavender provide one layer of information to support today's use of lavender.

The quality of lavender is based on fundamental criteria including: traditional use and historical information; current literature including clincal research; botanical characterization; chemical identification and standardization; and biological measurements including safety and efficacy studies. Only those essential oils that meet key quality requirements can be classified as therapeutic-grade.

Current Research Literature:

Young Living Essential Oils has entered into an agreement with the American Botanical Council to provide independent, third party, peer reviewed research information on the therapeutic effects of botanicals, including essential oils. All distributors can access this information. Recent publications have reported lavender's favorable impact on mood, happiness (2) and positive psychomotor responses.(3) Continuing research on the anticancer activity of lavender compounds is under investigation.(4)

Botany: Several lavender species of varying quality and therapeutic activity are available through many sources. Lavender (also called true lavender) is derived from floral parts of Lavandula angustifolia. (5) An allied hybrid of different quality is lavandin (a hybrid of L. angustifolia and spike lavender, L. latifolia). Other related commercial species include Spanish lavender and French lavender.(6) Linking the correct species to proper good agricultural practices (GAPs and organic processes), distillation, manufacturing controls (GMPs or good manufacturing practices) supports the quality of lavender. Important concerns with the botanical source of lavender oil are sustainability and viability. Unfortunately, commercial lavender supplies from France are being threatened. Young Living Essential Oils controls the source and quality of its lavender oil through cultivation in farms located in the Simian Valley in France; St. Maries, Idaho; and Whispering Springs-Mona, Utah.

Chemistry: The saying "more is not always better," applies to lavender oil. Yields of lavandin oil (7-9%) are two to three times greater than those from true lavender oil (2-5%).

However, true lavender is regarded as the highest quality lavender based on therapeutic measurements.(7) Lavadin is also higher in camphor content compared to true lavender oil, and the higher camphor content is considered a negative indicator of quality (higher camphor content is inversely related to quality lavender). True lavender is reported to represent the highest quality lavender oil based on the presence of linalyl acetate (found in highest concentrations in true lavender, lower in allied species).

Biological assay: Does lavender oil really work? The key to the quality of lavender oil efficacy is the measurement of activity in biological assays (also referred to as in-vivo or occurring in the living body of an animal). An example of a biological assay is the use of Kirlian imaging (performed at the Young Life Research Clinic) to measure the emotional impact of lavender. Single or multiple case surveys as well as blinded, well-designed tests can be utilized to measure bioactivity of lavender oil.

Taken altogether, the criteria used to develop quality lavender oil contributes to an integrated, holistic approach to therapeutic-grade essential oils. The Young Living Essential Oil vision incorporates the linking of traditional knowledge with ancient traditions and modern science to promote health and longevity through the development of therapeutic-grade essential oils.

(1)Hart S, Lis-Balchin M., "Pharmacology of Lavandula essential oils and extracts in vitro and in vivo," The Genus Lavendula, pgs. 140-154. Ed. by Lis-Balchin M. Taylor and Frances, London and New Yark, 2002.
(2)Vernet-Maurey E, Alaoui-Ismaili, O, Dittmar, A, Delhomme G, Chane1 J, "Basic emotions induced by odorants: A new approach based on autonomic pattern results," Journal of Autonomic Nervous System, 75 (2-3) 176-83, February 15, 1999.
(3)Holmes C, Hopkins V, Hensford C, MacLaughlin V, Wilkinson, D, Rosenvinge H, "Lavender oil as a treatment for agitated behavior in severe dementia: A placebo controlled study," International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 17:305-308,2002.
(4)Kelloff GJ, Boone CW, Crowell JA, "New agents for cancer chemo-prevention," Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 265: 1-28, 1996.
(5)Lis-Balchin M, "Lavender," The Genus Lavendula, Ed. by LisBalchin M. Taylor and Frances, London and New York, 2002.
(6)lbid.
(7)Piccaglia R, "Aromatic Plants: A world of flavoring compounds," Agro Food Industry Hi-Tech 93,12-15,2002.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Diana Hooper, Independent Distributor of Young Living Essential Oils Member #378910
Contact information & privacy policy

Essentials Of Life