Herb/Oil Profile: Spike Lavender
Spike Lavender is one of our favorite oils here in the store. It has the beauty of “regular” lavender, but the therapeutic value of some of our therapeutic favorites. Where “regular” lavender is usually found in Bulgaria and France, Spike Lavender is found usually in Spain and it is more of an evergreen shrub than a flower. Some Aromatherapists call Spike lavender the ‘male’ lavender and “regular” lavender the ‘female’ lavender.
Spike Lavender’s botanical name is Lavandula Latifolia as compared to “regular” lavender Lavandula Angustifolia.Spike Lavender is higher in chemical components alpha and beta pinene and 1,8 cineole than its Lavender cousin. I like to explain to people that Spike Lavender is the cousin to Lavender and Rosemary. Spicy and warm, but with that gorgeous lavender undertone. We love using this in respiratory formulas, especially for sinuses. The 1,8 cineole gives the effect of that of Eucalyptus. Many Aromatherapists find this oil particularly useful in pain and muscle sprain support.
Studies done on this oil report that it shows positive support as an insect repellent, including termites. Also, in studies done on mice, this oil has shown to be protective against certain bacteria such as listeria and staph infections. Another study found that the plant by-product after distillation of the plant for essential oils was extremely high in antioxidants, giving way for again more research to be done on this wonderful plant.
The herb and oil Lavandin that you may see in stores is truly the cross breeding of these two plants. This cross breeding has been studied and shown in the preliminary research of this plant in cell death of human leukemia cells. This was an exciting finding and one that will hopefully lead to more peer reviewed studies for future cancer research.
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