About Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil, well known for its soothing and calming effects, is obtained by the distillation of either the flowers or spikes of the lavender herb. There are over 20 species of lavender, and of those species there are different hybrids beyond. Most lavender is cultivated in southern Europe, throughout the Asian continent, Africa and Australia, but it can be grown in other areas of the world as well. Bulgaria has taken the top spot in the Lavender Production category for the last few years. Here at the Austin Silly Soap Co. Secret Headquarters in Austin, Texas we’ve got a decent sized crops of two different species of Lavender. Our two types of lavender herbs look totally different and their color and fragrance vary slightly as well. I can’t decide which I like more! It seems that the rest of the world has chosen their top three Lavender species, judging by what is readily available on the market today: spike lavender, true lavender, and lavandin.
LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA, OFFICINALIS, VERA TRUE LAVENDER
(AKA ENGLISH LAVENDER) Is the herb responsible for Lavender Essential Oil. Lavender is one of the most well known and popular essential oils in todays market. It is used in many of todays popular products, like fabric softeners, room fresheners, and body sprays. Lavender essential oil is not as toxic to the skin as many other essential oils can be. Studies have shown irritation to the skin happening in a very small percentage of people, even though evidence that would point otherwise was previously found.
AROMATHERAPY PROPERTIES OF TRUE LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL:
soothing calming relaxing normalizing balancing healing

LAVANDULA SPICA, LATIFOLIA
SPIKE LAVENDER
- Pros: (compared to True Lavender)
- Larger, broader leaves.
- Up to 3x the Essential Oil can be produced.
- Cons:
- Most consider the fragrance of Spike Lavender much less appealing- its aroma could be compared to a Lavender & Eucalyptus blend- much more green and camphorous.
L. X INTERMEDIA, LAVANDIN
Lavandin, A.K.A. Dutch Lavender, is the wonder child of True Lavender and Spike Lavender. This hybrid has the fragrance of both…a little of the floral True Lavender scent crossed with the camphorous Spike Lavender. The two scents marry to create a woody, green, slightly spicy fragrance that is perfect for balancing, clarifying and purifying uses. Lavandin should not be used in place of True Lavender when it comes to aromatherapy.

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- PROS: (compared to True Lavender)
- Produces much more essential oil.
- Larger, brighter, pointy floral display.
- CONS: (compared to True Lavender)
- More camphorous scent.
- Fragrance is stronger, yet fades quickly.

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