Lavandin, a hybrid lavender, has different chemical and therapeutic properties but is easier to grow & is often sold as "lavender" essential oil by unscrupulous companies

Traditionally used throughout Europe to treat a wide range of ills, lavender is famous for its benefits to the skin, for calming stress, healing burns, and its use in perfume and potpourri. However, much of the lavender being sold in stores today is not true lavender, but a hybrid known as lavandin - which has different chemical properties and should not be used interchangeably with lavender.

What is Lavandin?

Lavandin is a hybrid made by crossing true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) with spike lavender or aspic (Lavandula latifolia).

Its species name denotes that it is not a naturally occurring plant, but an intentional hybrid: Lavandin is known as Lavandula x hybrida or Lavandula x intermedia, where the "x" indicates a hybrid species.

Lavandin is known to be highly antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial.

What Are the Benefits of Lavandin Over Lavender?

True lavender requires elevations of over 1800 feet to grow. Lavandin can grow at 1000 feet or above, making it an easier crop to produce. Lavandin also grows taller than lavender, and has three flowering heads on each stem, though it otherwise looks similar.

Chemical Properties of Lavender and Lavandin

Lavender is sweet and subtle, with a rich blend of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, esters (including linalyl acetate), non-terpene alcohols, oxides, and more.

Lavandin is harsher, sharper and contains far more camphor, making it a more lasting, piercing aroma. Like lavender, it is high in linalyl acetate and linalool.

Lavandin is often used in soaps, detergents, lotions and hairspray because the aroma is more lasting than that of true lavender.

Both lavandin and lavender are non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing to the skin.

True Lavender Heals Burns But Lavandin May Worsen Burns

Although lavandin has been noted to have the same calming effect as true lavender, there is one therapeutic use for which the two should never be confused: healing burns.

Since the French scientist Réné Gatefossé accidentally discovered lavender's regenerative power after a laboratory accident, lavender has been famous for healing burns, including sunburns. Lavandin, on the other hand, worsens burns.

Why Are Some Companies Replacing True Lavender with Lavandin?

Because lavandin is cheaper and less desirable for the fragrance industry, many aromatherapy brands sell bottles of "lavender" essential oil which actually contain lavandin, or mix lavandin into their blends in place of true lavender.

Unless scientific names are listed on packaging, there is no way of knowing which variety of lavender is in the bottle. Companies can justify their misleading labels by calling lavandin a "variety" of lavender.

If the oils are intended to be used therapeutically, especially on the skin or to treat burns, it is important to be sure of the species of lavender, as well as confirming the high quality of the oils.

True lavender is often adulterated with chemical additives, although lavandin is less likely to be so.

Reference:

Essential Science Publishing (ESP), Essential Oils Desk Reference, 2nd Ed., ESP, 2001.

Smith, Linda L, Essential Oils for Physical Health and Well-Being, Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry Inc., 2005.

Snowdrift Farm, "Lavandin," website accessed May 13, 2008.