The genus Lavandula includes species belonging to the Lamiaceae family. This name comes from the Latin lavare, which means “to wash”, due to its use as an antiseptic and disinfectant since antiquity among the ancient Arabs, Greeks and Romans (DENNER, 2009). Among the different species, we find lavender officinalis (also called true lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula officinalis, or Lavandula vera).
Aspic lavender or Lavandula latifolia is another species of lavender. Its name is inspired by that of the asp viper whose bite it is reputed to treat. Indeed, Aspic lavender essential oil has been known for many years for its soothing, regenerating and healing properties (SHIMIZU & al., 1990 ; CAVANAGH & WILKINSON, 2002). It is a plant that grows at a lower altitude of 600 meters, while lavender officinalis grows from 800 meters and up to 2,000 meters of altitude. Its flowering occurs later than lavender officinalis (GARZOLI & al., 2019).
As for lavandin, it is a natural hybrid born from the reproduction between lavender officinalis and aspic lavender (LESAGE-MEESSEN & al., 2015). Lavandin is found between 200 and 800-1,000 meters above sea level (GARZOLI & al., 2019). Information about lavandin can be found in the specific technical sheet for this active ingredient. Here
Lavender officinalis essential oil is extracted from the flowers. It has many beneficial properties. Indeed, it has anti-infectious, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, healing, relaxing and sedative properties (WELLS & al., 2004). It contains in particular monoterpenes such as linalool, lavandulol and limonene, terpene esters such as linalyl acetate and terpenyl acetate and terpene oxides such as cineole (RENAUD & al., 2001 ; BLAŽEKOVIĆ & al., 2018).
Aspic lavender essential oil is characterized by the significant presence of cineole and camphor, in a higher proportion than in that of lavender officinalis (HERRAIZ-PEÑALVER & al., 2013). The composition and quality of its essential oil are influenced by different parameters such as rainfall, soil composition and altitude (FERNÁNDEZ-SESTELO & CARRILLO, 2020).
Lavender officinalis essential oil exhibits antioxidant activity in DPPH assays that test for in vitro free radical scavenging activity (BLAŽEKOVIĆ & al., 2018). Aqueous methanolic extracts of lavender officinalis inhibit lipid peroxidation in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. This antioxidant activity is notably conferred by the presence of phenolic compounds (HOHMANN & al., 1999).
Lavender officinalis essential oil administered orally exhibits antinociceptive effects in formalin- and acetic acid-induced writhing tests in rats. It also has anti-inflammatory effects demonstrated by inhibiting carrageenan-induced paw edema much like Aspic lavender (HAJHASHEMI & al., 2003 ; SHIMIZU & al., 1990).
In a study carried out on 97 human subjects, the authors demonstrated that the oral administration of essential oil of lavender officinalis has a parasympathetic-mediated anxiolytic effect after watching neutral videos but not when watching anxiogenic films. These results suggest an anxiolytic effect in humans under low anxiety conditions (BRADLEY & al., 2009).
A patented preparation made by steam distillation from lavender officinalis flowers called Silexan® has been the subject of several scientific studies. In a trial of 280 patients with generalized anxiety disorder, treatment with Silexan® was shown to decrease levels of anxiety measured using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale after 6 weeks of treatment (KASPER & al., 2010). This anxiolytic effect is similar to lorazepam without inducing a sedative effect (WOELK & SCHLÄFKE, 2010).
In addition, Silexan® has antidepressant properties. This anti-depressant effect is associated with its ability to improve neuroplasticity as well as that of modulating different intracellular signaling pathways (MÜLLER & al., 2021).
In a study of 340 patients in the waiting room before a dental appointment, inhaling lavender officinalis essential oil reduced anxiety in the subjects (KRITSIDIMA & al., 2010).
In another study carried out on twenty healthy subjects aged between 18 and 35, the authors demonstrated that the inhalation of lavender oil induced a decrease in autonomic excitation demonstrated by significant decreases in blood pressure, heart rate and skin temperature compared to control subjects inhaling sweet almond oil. Furthermore, patients who inhaled lavender oil felt more active and relaxed than control subjects (SAYORWAN & al., 2012).
Lavender officinalis essential oil exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes and Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (BLAŽEKOVIĆ & al., 2018).
In addition, lavender essential oil inhibits the growth of fungi including various species of the genera Candida, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Tricophyton and Microsporum. Among the two dominant compounds tested comparatively in this study that have an antimicrobial effect, linalool was found to be a much more potent active than linalyl acetate (BLAŽEKOVIĆ & al., 2018).
Finally, the essential oils of lavender officinalis and aspic lavender show antimicrobial activity by contact on both Staphylococcus aureus susceptible and resistant to methicillin. This effect was measured by the disc diffusion method (ROLLER & al., 2009).
Put a little Provence in your life by using the nectar of the small mauve plant with well-known virtues!
