Lavandula angustifolia aka officinalis flower head, steam distilled, from Bulgaria. Other names: Lavendula officinali, L. vera, true lavender, lavandulae aetheroleum, oelum lavandulae

This lavender is grown on high-altitude land in Bulgaria. The family farm has been producing exquisite rose and lavender for generations. The farmer and distiller also produces my true rose hydrosol.

Aroma: Warm, sweet, floral, fresh, slightly fruity. This complex lavender has none of the campharaceous aroma of cheaper oils.

Common Uses: Properties of Lavender Essential Oil include analgesic, anti-convulsive, anti-depressant, anti-phlogistic, antirheumatic, antseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericide, carminative, cholagogue, cicatrisant, cordial, cytophylactic, decongestant, deodorant, and as a diuretic. Lavender Bulgarian is the most therapeutic grade. The high-altitude soil, temperature, precipitation, etc., contribute to subtle changes in scent.

Herbalist regards Lavender as the most valuable and versatile essential oil for therapeutic purposes. Lavender is the essential oil most commonly associated with burns and healing of the skin. It also has antiseptic and analgesic properties which will ease the pain of a burn and prevent infection. It also has cytophylactic properties that promote rapid healing and help reduce scarring. The scent of Lavender is said to have a calming effect on the body and it can be used to reduce anxiety, and stress and promote sleep.

Possible Uses: Acne, allergies, anxiety, asthma, athlete's foot, bruises, burns, chicken pox, colic, cuts, cystitis, depression, dermatitis, dysmenorrhea, earache, flatulence, headache, hypertension, insect bites, insect repellant, itching, labour pains, migraine, oily skin, rheumatism, scabies, scars, sores, sprains, strains, stress, stretch marks, vertigo, whooping cough. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.]

Colour: Clear with a Tinge of Yellow

Consistency: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top

Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong

Constituents: Linalyl Acetate, Linalol, Terpineol, Cineole, Beta-Caryophyllene, Farnascene [Shirley Price, The Aromatherapy Workbook (Hammersmith, London: Thorsons, 1993), 54-5.]

Safety Information: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand does not indicate any special precautions when using this oil. [Robert Tisserand, Essential Oil Safety (United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone, 1995), 207.]

Cautions: Lavender Bulgarian Essential Oil is non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitizing.

Photo thanks to Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons