Types of Lavender: Lavandula angustifolia is most common type of lavender and it hails from England It is oftentimes referred to as true lavender. Any true lavender will have botanical name of “lavandula” as prefix. (There are up to 50 different species, including lavandula officinalis and lavandula vera, yet they will all be simply lavender). Lavender grows all over world, including many parts of United States and Canada, France, Italy, Bulgaria, Russia, Croatia, China, and Australia. The reason “true” lavandula angustifolia genus is so popular is due to low rate of camphor, less than one percent, it retains after distillation. This lends essential oil a strong floral aroma, but it also makes it quite effective in aromatherapy usage, especially in accelerating healing of minor burns. Camphor is a chemical constituent that you don’t want near a burn, and other versions of lavender, such as lavandin, lavender’s cousin, which can contain up to 8% camphor—are not effective for soothing delicate skin tissue.

Lavandin (lavandula x intermedia) ~ According to ‘The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils’ by Julia Lawless, lavandin is: “A hybrid plant developed by crossing true lavender (lavender angustifolia) with spike lavender or aspic (lavender latifolia). Due to its hybrid nature, lavandin has a variety of forms: in general it is a larger plant than true lavender, with woody stems. Its flowers may be blue like true lavender, or grayish like aspic.” The scent of lavandin is also sharper and more penetrating. While plant grows in parts of Eastern Europe, Hungary, and Spain, cultivation is mainly in France.

Spike Lavender (lavandula latifolia) ~ Spike, sometimes referred to as Spanish lavender, is native to Spain, France, Italy, Mediterranean region, and Northern Africa. The bright purple-blue flowers commonly found in true lavender are often a grayer hue in spike variety. The essential oil is very penetrating, more herbal than floral, and retains a higher concentration of camphor than true lavender.

Lavender 40/42 ~ The lavender is blended with other lavenders to bring percentage of linalol to between 40% and 42%. Linalol is an active component of Lavender that contains therapeutic benefits. Some Lavender essential oils can contain 40% and 45%.

Historical Uses for Lavender: “Lavender was cultivated by ancient Egyptians in sacred walled garden at Thebes. They prized herb greatly, using it to make a soothing and healing balm that was part of ritual of mummification. It was turned into an expensive perfume to adorn both living and dead. Perfume urns were sealed into tombs to provide fragrance, and when Tutankhamen’s tomb was excavated, scent of lavender was still strong even after 3000 years.” From ‘The Book of Magical Herbs’ by Margaret Picton.

Surprisingly, lavender is found more frequently in commercial fragrances for men rather than women. “This is one of oldest scents in fragrance world, made from oils extracted from lavender and lavandin plants grown in France as well as spike lavender grown in Spain.” From book ‘Perfumes, Splashes & Colognes’ by Nancy M. Booth. Examples of men’s fragrances are: Aqua Lavanda, Cool Water, Drakkar Noir, Hai Karate, Lavanda, Le Male by Gaultier, Old English Lavender, Old Spice Fresh Scent, Pino Silvestre (conifer), Pour un Homme and Ungara Pour Homme all contain lavender and/or lavandin essential oils.

Benefits of Lavender: This versatile essential oil is familiar to many of us. You should have a small bottle of it for your First Aid kit and/or to keep in your kitchen. Lavender is one of best natural ingredients to help stop pain from minor kitchen accidents such as burns from oven/stove or knife cuts. A drop of lavender can ease pain, and only addition of gel-like innards of a freshly sliced open aloe vera leaf is as good a remedy for instant relief. Combining two is recommended, as aloe vera instantly cools a hot burn.

For sunburn pain, lavender is also recommended. Pesky mosquito or other insect bites bothering you? Try adding lavender essential oil to problem area(s) and your skin will thank you.

Headaches may disappear when you massage a tiny amount of lavender on your temples or nape of your neck.

Mineral and natural cosmetics are often considered synonymous. Although there are similarities between two, they actually refer to two different types of products for skin. According to U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a product that is "natural" contains ingredients that are derived from plants or animals. It also has determined that any products that contain stabilizers (additives) of color that are derivatives of earth are considered mineral cosmetics. An example of an ingredient that is added to mineral cosmetics is titanium oxide. This additive is generally added to face powders to create various shades of color.