Friday, October 31, 2008

The Essential Oil of Lavandin - A Hybrid of Two Very Different Lavenders

Lavandin (Lavandula x hybrida or Lavandula x intermedia) is in the mint family (Lamiaceae or Labiatae). It is a hybrid plant developed by crossing this with spike lavender or aspic. It does not have a long history-probably only 50-60 years. Lavandin in general is a larger plant than it with woody stems. Its flowers may be blue like true lavender or grayish like aspic. The fragrance is similar to it although it is sharper and a more powerful scent than true lavender. When steam distilled it yields a higher amount of oil than either true lavender or aspic. It is extensively used in soaps, detergents, room sprays, hair preparations and industrial perfumes since it is cheaper to obtain than true lavender.

Traditionally it has been used to sterilize the animal cages in veterinary clinics and hospitals throughout Europe. Why grow lavandin when you could just as easily grow lavender? Obviously there must be a logical explanation. Unscrupulous vendors will cut it with lavandin which is cheaper to produce and has a higher yield than true lavender.

Lavandin has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is well suited to help with respiratory, circulatory and muscular conditions. However, if you look at its chemistry, you will find that it has 5-12% camphor which if applied to an open wound or a burn will cause severe pain. This is not the case with true lavender which is healing for burns.

The main effects of lavandin are expectorant and antiviral. It can be applied neat on the body, directly inhaled or diffused. It blends well with clove, cinnamon, citronella, cypress, pine, clary sage, geranium thyme, patchouli, rosemary and citrus oils, especially bergamot and lime. As for safety, do not use this oil on a burn, instead use true lavender. It is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing. Want to learn more about the healing properties of lavandin and other essential oils? Consider becoming a certified aromatherapist. Educational courses in healing energy and aromatherapy can help you understand how essential oils heal the body/mind/spirit.

Check this out for more information on learning to heal through the art of aromatherapy as a clinical aromatherapist. http://www.ISHAaromatherapy.com - For educational courses on healing energy and the laying-on of hands, you can go to http://www.HTSpiritualMinistry.com

You can also read more about aromatherapy and lavandin essential oil in Linda Smith's books: Called into Healing, Reclaiming our Judeo-Christian Legacy of Healing Touch, and Healing Oils Healing Hands, Discovering the Power of Prayer, Hands On Healing and Anointing. You can find these books and much more on my web site at http://www.ISHAhealing.com/HealingStore/tabid/348/Default.aspx

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Lee_Smith

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