Lavender: species, history, essential oil and careful home uses
Lavender is a Mediterranean plant grown mainly for its scent. Here are the species to tell apart, its history, its home uses and the precautions around its oil.
Key points
| Botanical name | Lavandula angustifolia (true lavender), L. latifolia (spike lavender), L. × intermedia (lavandin) |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Origin | Mediterranean basin, Middle East, India |
| Part used | Dried flowers, flower spikes, essential oil |
| Probable etymology | Latin lavare, “to wash” |
| Main compounds | Linalool and linalyl acetate |
| Main precaution | Skin allergies; oil: professional advice, especially for children and during pregnancy |
What is lavender?
The name lavender covers plants of the genus Lavandula, subshrubs in the Lamiaceae family. Depending on the classification, the genus has about 40 to 47 species, since frequent hybridisation makes them hard to tell apart. In France, three forms are mainly found:
| Name | Plant | Note |
|---|---|---|
| True or narrow-leaved lavender | Lavandula angustifolia | Mildest scent, grows at altitude |
| Spike lavender | Lavandula latifolia | More camphor-like, grows in lowlands |
| Lavandin | Lavandula × intermedia | A hybrid of the two: more productive, more camphor-like |
This distinction matters: lavandin oil does not have the same composition as true lavender oil, and labels sometimes just say “lavender.”
History and symbolism
The name probably comes from the Latin lavare, “to wash”: tradition has it that the Romans scented their baths with this plant. Over the centuries, lavender was used to perfume linen, to make sachets, and to mask unpleasant smells in homes. In Provence, its cultivation and the distillation of its oil developed on a large scale; lavender essential oil from Haute-Provence holds a protected designation of origin.
In popular traditions, lavender is associated with calm, cleanliness and the protection of the household. These are symbols, not proven effects. In a home, it mainly evokes the freshness of clean linen and summer.
Its scent, described simply
True lavender smells floral, slightly herbaceous and sweet. This scent comes mainly from two molecules, linalool and linalyl acetate. Lavandin and spike lavender contain more camphor, hence a sharper, almost medicinal smell. As they dry, the flowers lose some of their fresh notes and keep a rounder scent, which lasts several months in a closed sachet.
Home uses
- Linen sachets: a spoonful of dried flowers in a small cotton bag, tucked into a wardrobe.
- Dried bunches: cut just before the flowers fully open, and hung upside down (see Drying and storing your herbs).
- Candles and scented waxes: dried flowers are sometimes added to decorative candles. Take care, as the flowers can burn and crackle near the flame (see Fire safety and rituals).
- Fumigation: dried flower spikes burn quickly with a very fragrant smoke. A small bundle is enough, put out in sand.
Lavender also features in our lavender incense page and in the calm atmosphere described in Calm and serenity.
Precautions
Lavender is considered safe in cooking in small amounts, but it is not without risk. Linalool, once exposed to air, oxidises and can become an allergen: this is why European regulations require it to be listed on the label of scented products. A few points:
- skin contact: possible irritation or contact eczema in sensitive people;
- essential oil: no swallowing, no undiluted use on the skin, and no dosing without advice from a health professional (see Essential oils: caution);
- US health authorities advise caution during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and for young boys using the oil;
- cats and dogs: avoid diffusing oil in their presence, and do not let them chew dried lavender.
Choosing and growing
For a sachet or a bunch, prefer lavender whose seller states the species, the country of cultivation and the year of harvest. The flowers should still have a violet colour and a clean scent, not a dusty one. In a garden, lavender needs sun, lean and well-drained soil, and little water: it is the ideal plant for a dry corner. It also feeds bees, which makes it an ally of biodiversity.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between lavender and lavandin?
Lavandin is a hybrid of true lavender and spike lavender. It is more productive and more camphor-like. In terms of scent, true lavender is softer.
Can I sleep with a lavender sachet?
Yes, a sachet of dried flowers is a harmless decorative object. Simply avoid it if you are sensitive to smells, or keep it away from a baby.
Is lavender dangerous for cats?
Cats are sensitive to essential oils and to some plants. Avoid diffusing lavender oil near them and ask a vet for advice.
Can you burn dried lavender?
Yes, in small spikes and in a well-ventilated room, but it burns quickly and smokes a lot. Always watch the embers.
How long does dried lavender keep its scent?
Several months in a closed sachet, away from light. The scent gradually fades and is revived by crushing the flowers between your fingers.
Also read
The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Herbs, waxes and accessories.