Spike Lavender Essential Oil
Lavandula latifolia
Description
Spike Lavender Essential Oil is similar in usage to that of true Lavender Essential Oil (Lavender angustifolia / Lavender officianalis). However, Spike Lavender Essential Oil contains significantly more camphor.
Generally speaking, true Lavender Essential Oil is best suited for use in calming anxiety and stress or promoting sleep. Spike Lavender Essential Oil, on the other hand, is much better suited for use as an expectorant and for easing aches and pains.
Emotionally, Spike Lavender Essential Oil is more energizing and stimulating than is true Lavender Essential Oil. It promotes concentration and focus more than does true Lavender Essential Oil.
See below for more information on uses and safety information.
Spike Lavender Essential Oil Benefits and Uses
Spike Lavender Essential Oil possesses usage applications similar to that of traditional Lavender Oil. However, it's greater percentage of the constituent camphor gives it stronger analgesic and expectorant properties. It is a better choice to ease headaches or use as an expectorant in the diffuser. Diluted for topical use, it can be used to help ease aches, pains or the discomfort associated with arthritis. It is also reported to be effective in repelling insects.
Source: Julia Lawless, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Updated Edition) (London: Harper Thorsons, 2014), 120-121.
Botanical Name
Plant Family
Common Method of Extraction
Steam Distilled
Plant Part Typically Used
Color
Clear
Consistency
Thin
Perfumery Note
Top/Middle
Strength of Initial Aroma
Medium
Aromatic Description
Like other lavender oils, Spike Lavender Oil smells floral, fresh, sweet and herbaceous. However, it is much more camphorous in aroma. Aromatically, Spike Lavender Oil tends to blend well with the same families of essential oils that traditional Lavender Oil does including other floral, mint and coniferous oils. Rosemary Essential Oil, depending on the chemotype, also tends to have a large percentage of camphor. If you particularly like the aroma of Rosemary Oil, you should find the aroma of Spike Lavender Essential Oil appealing.
Sustainability and Conservation Status
Least Concern
Source: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/203245/2762556
To learn more about the conservation status of essential oil bearing plants and how to use the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, please refer to AromaWeb's Guide to Essential Oils and Sustainability.
Major Constituents
- Linalool
- 1,8-Cineole
- Camphor
- Borneol
- B-Pinene
See Essential Oil Safety for more complete list of typical constituents.
Source: S. Salido, J. Altarejos, M. Nogueras, et al. Chemical Composition and Seasonal Variation of Spike Lavender Oil from Southern Spain. (Journal of Essential Oil Research 16, 2004), 206-210. Source cited in Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 329.
Spike Lavender Essential Oil Safety Information
Due to its camphor content of up to 25%, Spike Lavender Essential Oil should be used with care. Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young do not specify any contraindications for Spike Lavender Essential Oil, but state that it may be mildly neurotoxic. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 329.]
General Safety Information
Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. For general dilution information, read AromaWeb's Guide to Diluting Essential Oils. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. Before using this or any essential oil, carefully read AromaWeb's Essential Oil Safety Information page. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.
Shelf Life
Important Information About the Profiles
The essential oil information provided on AromaWeb is intended for basic educational purposes only. The references to safety information, test results, constituents and percentages is generalized information. Essential oils can vary greatly in composition. The data is not necessary complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate. The essential oil photos are intended to represent the typical and approximate color of each essential oil. However, essential oil composition and color can vary based on harvesting, distillation, age of the essential oil and other factors. Profiles for several CO2 Extracts and absolutes are included within the directory, and are denoted as such.
