Lavender High Altitude Extra Fine

Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia

Botany and Origins: Lavender is an aromatic evergreen sub-shrub with linear or lance-shaped leaves. It grows up to 0.9m high and is native to the Mediterranean region. The lavandula genus has approximately 30 species that grow around the world. The four main species of lavender are:

• Lavandula angustifolia - true lavender
• Lavandula latifolia - spike lavender
• Lavandula x intermedia - lavandin
• Lavandula stoechas - maritime lavender

Lavender essential oil distilled. from Lavandula angustifolia is referred to as true lavender. Lavendulol and its ester lavendulyl acetate are said to contribute to the aroma of this oil. The main producers of true lavender are Bulgaria and France. Smaller producers include Australia, Argentina, England, Hungary, Japan, Morocco, Italy, Algeria, India and Russia. Lavender grown and distilled at a higher altitude (from 600m to 1500m) has a reputation of being the best quality lavender. This is because distilleries located at higher altitudes distil the oil at 92 to 93 degrees Celsius instead of 100 degrees Celsius. This produces an oil with a higher ester content. Even at this small decrease of temperature, hydrolysis of the natural linalyl esters takes place at a much slower rate. A rapid distillation at a slightly reduced pressure will also produce an oil with a higher linalyl ester content. 

Method of Extraction: Lavender High Altitude Extra Fine is steam distilled from the freshly cut flowering tops and stalks of Lavandula angustifolia growing at an altitude of around 1300m.

Cultivation: Conventional

Historical and Traditional Uses: Lavendula comes from lavare, meaning "to wash" in Latin. Lavender essential oil has been widely used as a toilet water and is one of the most common ingredients in potpourris and sachets. A decoction of lavender flowers is recommended to help prevent falling sickness (epilepsy) and giddiness or turning of the brain. Lavender is an admirable restorative tonic against fainting, palpitations of a nervous nature, giddiness, spasms and colic. It is recommended to use a few drops of lavender oil in a hot foot bath to relieve fatigue and outwardly applied for the relief of toothache, neuralgia, sprains and rheumatism. Lavender's antiseptic properties were well known by the French Academy of Medicine, where it was used in the swabbing of wounds, treatment of sores, varicose ulcers, burns and scalds.

Pharmacology and Clinical Studies: Lavender oil has been demonstrated to have CNS-depressive activities. It is also reported as having excellent antimicrobial activities. It has been found to be spasmolytic, in vitro on the smooth muscle. The oil has been demonstrated to have a dose-dependent anaesthetic activity. Lavender oil has been the focus of several clinical trials and has successfully been used in some hospitals as a massage oil, being vaporised to help dispel anxiety, and as an alternative to using orthodox drugs to help patients sleep.

Indications:

• Integumentary System: It was Rene-Maurice Gattefosse who observed the healing effects of lavender oil when he burnt his hand in a laboratory accident. Lavender oil is commonly associated with burns and healing of the skin. It has antiseptic, analgesic and cytophylactic properties which will ease the pain of a burn, prevent infection and promote rapid healing. Lavender is beneficial for conditions involving inflammation such as ache, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, boils and wounds. Lavender is useful for the treatment of sunburn and sunstroke. It can be combined with peppermint in a 1% dilution and used as a massage oil.
• Musculoskeletal System: Lavender is very beneficial for the relief of muscular aches and pains. It can also be used for the relief of rheumatism, sciatica and arthritis.
• Nervous System: Lavender has a harmonising effect on the nervous system. Stress can become counterproductive on the physiological level involves either the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic hyperfunctioning is triggered by emotional stress whereas sympathetic hyperfunctioning is triggered more by physical stress. Both types of stress reactions will produce symptoms such as spasms, cramps, pains, nervous tension, irritability and mental distraction. Lavender can inhibit sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system functions. Therefore lavender can assist our responses to unproductive stress of any kind. Likewise, lavender will tend not to interfere with productive stress. Lavender will act as a sdeative in conditions of mental and emotional agitation and unrest, calming the mind, comforting feelings and alleviating fears, while it is uplifting and revives the spirits for someone feeling emotionally depleted and depressed. Lavender is regarded as the first choice in the treatment of insomnia, especially when the insomnia is due to mental stress and anxiety. It is recommended for the treatment of migraines and headaches.
• Reproductive System: Lavender is valuable for relieving premenstrual tension and menstrual pain. It is recommended to gently massaging a massage oil with lavender into the lower abdomen or using it in a hot compress. A clinical trial identified lavender as the most popular essential oil during childbirth and it was found to reduce maternal anxiety, for pain relief and to lighten the mood.
• Respiratory System: Lavender is recommended for the treatment of colds and flu, bronchitis, throat infections and catarrhal conditions. Lavender is particularly beneficial for asthma of a nervous origin or a result of uncontrolled anxiety as it relaxes the person and enables easier breathing.
• Skin Care: The antiseptic, antiphlogistic and cicatrisant properties of lavender make it beneficial in many skin care preparations. It can be used for all skin types. It can be used as an insect repellent and my also be used to treat insect bites hence preventing the itching and scratching.

Safety: Lavender oil is non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitising. 

Country of Origin: France

Size: 10ml, 30ml, 50ml (for 100ml and above, please contact us)