Spike lavender

Spike lavender

Spike lavender is a source of camphor, which can be used as an essential oil in massage to help relieve back pain. Soothes sore muscles: Because of hits high camphor content, Spike Lavender is the best choice for soothing muscular aches and pains. Create a warming blend of massage oil by adding a few drops of Spike Lavender into a carrier oil and massage onto areas such as the shoulders, back and legs.

Essential oil profile 

Botanical Name: Lavandula Latifolia Country of Origin: Provence,France Extraction Method: Steam distillation of petals Scent Profile: Spike Lavender is a sharper, more camphoraceous cousin of True Lavender. It has a fresh, spicy, and distinct camphor note to its scent. Spike Lavender is also high in medicinal value but not as sweet and floral compared to True Lavender. Perfumery Note: Middle

Therapeutic properties / health benefits 

Not to be confused with True Lavender (Lavandula Angustfolia), Spike Lavender (Lavandula Latifolia) stands out because of its strong camphorous aroma, mainly attributed from its high percentage of 1,8- Cineole and Camphor content. Its constituents are often likened to oils such as Eucalyptus and Peppermint – sharing similar benefits in relieving coughs, clearing congestion and promoting easy breathing.

Relieves stress

Ease headaches, pains or discomfort

Creates mental alertness

Promotes better respiratory circulation

In skin Care 

Treats eczema: Its powerful antiseptic action is great for treating skin conditions such as eczema. It has soothing and healing properties which can soothe inflamed skin, dermatitis and sunburn.

Soothes sore muscles: Because of hits high camphor content, Spike Lavender is the best choice for soothing muscular aches and pains. Create a warming blend of massage oil by adding a few drops of Spike Lavender into a carrier oil and massage onto areas such as the shoulders, back and legs.

How to use for face care Add one drop of essential oil to one dollop of your face cream or lotion and apply every two days. Do not be tempted to add more oil. Higher doses do not work better than regular applications.

How to use for body care Use no more than 4 to 5 drops for every 5ml of body lotion or carrier oil. Apply the mixture all over skin and pat dry or allow full absorption. 

In hair care 

Promote hair growth:Treat alopecia areata with Spike Lavender essential oil. Dry scalp massage with Spike Lavender helps in treating hair loss as well as ensuring hair growth with continued usage. 

How to use 

- In a nebuliser - In an oil burner - In baths or inhalation

Blends well with 

Spike Lavender blends well with cedar wood, clary sage, clove, eucalyptus, lavender, patchouli, petit grain, pine, rosemary and clary sage. 

Caution/side effects 

Avoid while pregnant. May cause skin irritation.

Spike Lavender Oil

Spike lavender is native to the western Mediterranean region, including central Portugal, northern Italy, Spain and Southern France. This flowering plant from the Lamiaceae family grows from 30 to 80 centi-meters (11.8 to 31.5 inches) tall. It has pale lilac flowers that grow on spikes, which blossom from June to September, depending on the weather.

While true lavender grows naturally at high altitudes, spike lavender thrives more at lower altitudes. According to experts, this difference in growing environments explains why spike lavender oil contains more camphor, the chemical responsible for its sweet herbaceous smell, while true lavender oil has very little to none.2 Produced through steam or water distillation of its flowering tops, spike lavender oil has a fresh, slightly spicy, floral and camphoraceous scent and is typically clear or yellowish in colour. 

Uses of Spike Lavender Oil 

Spike lavender oil has similar applications as true lavender oil. It's also frequently used in the fragrance industry, specifically in soap formulations. Due to its stronger camphor content, spike lavender oil is said to provide more potent analgesic and expectorant properties, which makes it an excellent choice for headache relief when used in a diffuser. Topically, it may work as an insect repellent and as a salve to help ease aches, pains and other discomfort caused by arthritis. 

Composition of Spike Lavender Oil 

The major components of spike lavender-oil are L-linalool, d-borneol and their esters. Geraniol, d-terpineol, d-camphor, d-camphene, d-pinene, cineol and n-hexanol have also been found. The quality of spike lavender oil is evaluated through the levels of alcohol content in it. It must be free of alcohols and must not contain too much Borneo. This is determined through infrared spectroscopy.4 Spike lavender oil blends well with other essential oils, including cedar-wood, clary sage, clove, eucalyptus, lavender, oak moss, patchouli, petitgrain, pine, rosemary and sage. 

Benefits of Lavender Spike Oil 

Spike lavender oil has powerful antiseptic properties that help soothe and heal cuts, burns and damaged or scarred skin. It may also have beneficial effects for the following conditions:

Asthma

Bronchitis

Halitosis

Throat infections

Abdominal cramps

Flatulence

Dandruff

Ringworm

Because of its relaxing and stimulating effects, spike lavender oil may help in regulating sleep, calmness, mental alertness and stress-related conditions, including depression. Spike lavender oil produces higher yield compared to other lavender varieties, making it an inexpensive essential oil to make. Steam or water distillation is the most common process of extraction used for this aromatic essential oil. To produce high-quality lavender spike oil with excellent levels of natural esters, experts recommend picking fresh flowering tops in morning dew and distilling it directly. 

How Does Lavender Spike Oil Work? 

According to the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, spike lavender oil was traditionally used for headaches, rheumatic pain, colic and dyspepsia. In modern aromatherapy, spike lavender oil shares some of true lavender's properties. However, it is slightly stronger and should be used more sparingly.6 Applied topically, spike lavender oil can improve allergies, athlete's foot, dandruff, dermatitis and sunburns. It can also work wonders when added in baths, diffusers, inhalers and mist sprays. 

Is Spike Lavender Oil Safe 

Spike lavender oil is generally safe if used appropriately. As with all essential oils, I do not recommend the use of spike lavender oil for pregnant or nursing women without seeking expert medical opinion first. In addition, I advise against using it topically without diluting it in a mild carrier oil. Always perform a skin patch test on a small portion of your skin to check for any skin sensitivity. Avoid contact with the eyes or mucus membranes. 

Side Effects of Spike Lavender Oil 

Due to its sleep-inducing effects, I suggest that you avoid using spike lavender oil before driving or operating any machinery to prevent any unfortunate accidents.