Diana Hooper
2644 Moonshine Park Road
Logsden, OR 97357
diana@essentialsoflife.net
EssentialsOfLife.net

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.

Code 3575 15 ml

(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.

 Testimonial

I had Asthma and Allergies for over twenty years. During that time, I experience much emotional and physical traumas as a result. There is no way to explain how it feels to be unable to do something as easy as to breathe!

I always felt that one day I would be able get off the twice day Asthma medication, the inhalor and at one point an injection once or so a month when the daily medication was not working well enough.For many years, though, it was just easier to pop a tablet and keep going.However as I saw that it was getting worse and not getting better, I finally made a decision to really take responsibility for my own health.

When I was introduced to Young Living, I really saw it as an answer to my prayers that I would be able to somehow regain my good health and not be on medication for the rest of my life, which the doctors said I would have to be.

Now two years later, I only get Asthma symtoms occationally and this is usually when I stop eating properly and get back into the white flour, dairy products or overeat or am in an extremely dusty place. But now, all I have to do is use my RC essential oil and in a few hours, I am fine.

To get to this wonderful point of my life when I am no type of medication whatsoever, I did have to make major improvements.I had to make dietary changes...no white flour, no dairy. I drank more water and ate more vegetables , especially greens.I used lots of different oils in the beginning as I was so new to the oils, I tried many different ones, but the ones I felt really helped were Frankincense, RC and Raven. I did several bottles of megazime(I had digestive problems for many years), comfortone and ICP. I got a diffuser and would diffuse different oils, but especially RC in my bedroom and sometimes through the house. I also learned and had healing modalities done on me, like meditation, yoga, visualization, Reiki and IET.

An additional benefit is that my thinking is much clearer and my emotions are more balanced. Also my 14 year who resisted using the oils in the beginning, now heads for the RC or Thieves when he feels that he is not at optimum health!!I had to smile when yesterday, my husband felt like some some type of virus was coming on and asked me for some Thieves!!!

Thank you Gary Young and Young Living!!!

This information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any illness or disease of the human body.