Lavandin essential oil, from natural hybridization to prosperity

Lavandin results from hybridizations (natural at the start) between the two species Lavandula vera and Lavandula latifolia , its aromatic profile is close to that of Lavandula vera (but with 6-8% camphor ). From this hybridization, four varieties of lavandin were born in Provence; the Super, the Grosso, the Sumian, and the Abrial. Nowadays, it should be known that lavandin is much more cultivated than lavender , because its flower is more productive in essential oil.

A little history

At the time, the cutters of wild lavender had already noticed plants more developed than the others which they called “big lavender”, “big lavender” or “bastard lavender”: they were in fact lavandins, resulting from spontaneous hybridization of true lavender and aspic .

This hybridization is therefore due to foraging insects, mainly bees which, by foraging from flower to flower, transport pollen from one species to another. This phenomenon was indeed verified in 1927 in the laboratories of the Chiris establishments in Grasse. It should therefore be noted that it was in the years 1925 that the Lavender quality was differentiated from Lavandin, which created a certain fluctuation for several years on these two qualities.

The very first attempts at planting were carried out by transplanting wild lavender in the fields, collected in the hills. They were therefore “populations” of lavandin. However, from the years 1925, the technique of cuttings was essential, allowing a very rapid development of the culture of lavandin. A similar technique was also applied to true lavender to obtain “clonal lavender”. Lavandin or clonal lavender fields are very homogeneous and regular, while plants in fine lavender fields have a very disparate appearance, which complicates mechanization.

Multiplication by cuttings has thus enabled the selection of “clones” of particular economic interest , and rapid extension of crops .

The distillation of lavender was used from the 18th century in order to be able to harvest the sweet lavender of the Provençal fields to make an essential oil. This lavender essential oil will experience great prosperity from its inception, in particular thanks to the success of the perfumes of Grasse which use the pretty lavandula augustifolia to create their perfumed fragrances.

What are the pharmacological properties of Lavandin flower essential oil ?

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties:

The linalool is analgesic by action on muscarinic receptors, opioid and dopamine). In particular, there is an action on the N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors with an action on the glutamate receptors. Camphor is also analgesic, anti-neuralgic and anti-inflammatory .

Stimulating activity:

Slightly stimulating, camphor particularly stimulates the central nervous system and increases respiratory amplitude.

Antispasmodic property:

Powerful antispasmodic , lavender essential oil is calming, sedative, as well as muscle relaxant. Spasmolytic of intestinal smooth muscles by linalyl acetate , it is also antispasmodic of vascular smooth muscles by activation of nitric oxide. Camphor also has a relaxing effect on smooth and striated muscles locally. Spasmolytic on intestinal (especially) and tracheal smooth muscles, by a probable mechanism of stimulation of the enzyme adenylate cyclase, in fact producing an increase in cAMP, linalool inhibits the release of ACh at the level of the neuromuscular junction.

Antibacterial properties:

The anti-infectious activity is enhanced by linalool . Antifungal , lavandin is active against strains of Candida resistant to fluconazole . Also antiviral , linalool shows strong activity against Adenovirus-2 (AVD-II), responsible for pharyngitis, pneumonia and gastroenteritis . Camphor, on the other hand, is a pulmonary antiseptic , a bronchodilator, as well as an expectorant.

Antitumor activity:

The linalool is antitumor , it stimulates indeed various cytokines: IFN-γ, IL-13, IL-2, IL-21, IL-21R, IL-4, IL-6sR, TNF-α, and induces immune response type Th1. It is an inducer of apoptosis.

Cardioprotective properties:

The linalyl acetate is cardioprotective , it also reduces the deleterious cardiovascular effects of acute nicotine exposure. Camphor is a cardio-respiratory stimulant .

Anti-platelet aggregation effect:

Effect antiplatelet and antithrombotic scored without pro-hemorrhagic effect. The linalyl acetate seems the antiplatelet agent most active.

Other properties:

  • Active on SNA: Ʃ-
  • Rubefacient effect linked to vasodilation of peripheral vessels
  • Gastro protector in local related application
  • Anxiolytic, but improves attention
  • Hypotensive, bradycardic
  • Hypnotic, anti convulsant
  • Antioxidant (inhibits lipid peroxidation), hypothermic

Does Lavandin essential oil require precautions for use?

  • Beware of possible gynecomastic effects in prolonged use. The linalool and linalyl acetate inhibit testosterone production, avoiding the long course in males as endocrine disruptor
  • Reserved for adults and pubescent adolescents
  • Contraindicated in pregnant (abortive) or breastfeeding women
  • Caution in people with autoimmune diseases, epilepsy, asthma, the elderly or with Parkinson’s, as well as people with neurosensitivity
  • Risk of neurotoxicity which may induce epileptic seizures at high doses
  • Do not diffuse, nor put in the bath
  • Do not swallow
  • Dry inhalation is allowed
  • Prohibited for internal use
  • Risk of drug interactions with essential oils containing sesquiterpenes at more than 10%
  • Forbidden to animals

 

Medical bibliographic sources and clinical trials :

  • Ballabeni V, Tognolini M, Chiavarini M et all. Novel antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities of essential oils from Lavandula hybrida Reverchon “grosso”. Phytomedicine. 2004
  • Barocelli E, Car F, Chiavarini M, Impicciatore M, Bruni R, Bianchi A, Ballabeni V. Antinociceptive and gastroprotective effects of inhaled and orally administered Lavandula hybrida Reverchon “Grosso” essential oil. Life Sciences, Volume 76, Issue 2, 26 November 2004
  • Damião P. de Sousa, Genival A. S. Júnior, Luciana N. Andrade, Josemar S. Batista. Spasmolytic Activity of Chiral Monoterpene Esters. Rec. Nat. Prod
  • Kotan R, Kordali S, Car A. Screening of antibacterial activities of twenty-one oxygenated monoterpenes. Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2007
  • Marcos-Arias C, Eraso E, Madariaga L, Quindos G. In vitro activities of natural products against oral Candida isolates from denture wearers. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2011
  • Peana AT, D’Aquila PS, Chessa ML, Moretti MD, Serra G, Pippia P. (-)-Linalool produces antinociception in two experimental models of pain. Eur J Pharmacol. 2003
  • Peana AT, De Montis MG, Nieddu E, Spano MT, D’Aquila PS, Pippia P. Profile of spinal and supra-spinal antinociception of (-)-linalool. Eur J Pharmacol. 2004
  • Peana AT, Marzocco S, Popolo A, Pinto A. (-)-Linalool inhibits in vitro NO formation: Probable involvement in the antinociceptive activity of this monoterpene compound. Life Sci. 2006
  • Aprotosoaie Ana Clara, Hancianu Monica, Costache Irina, Miron Anca. (2014). Linalool: A review on a key odorant molecule with valuable biological properties. Flavour and Fragrance Journal
  • Lis-Balchin M, Hart S. Studies on the mode of action of the essential oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia P. Miller). Phytother Res. 1999
  • Mazzanti Gabriela, Lu M, Salvatore G. (1998). Spasmolytic action of the essential oil from Hyssopus officinalis L. var. decumbens and its major components. Phytotherapy Research
  • Chang MY, Shen YL. Linalool exhibits cytotoxic effects by activating antitumor immunity. Molecules. 2014
  • Chang MY, Shieh DE, Chen CC, Yeh CS, Dong HP. Linalool Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Leukemia Cells and Cervical Cancer Cells through CDKIs. Int J Mol Sci. 2015
  • Miriam M. Ehrnhöfer-Ressler, Kristina Fricke, Marc Pignitter, Joel M. Walker, Jessica Walker, Michael Rychlik, Veronika Somoza. Identification of 1,8-Cineole, Borneol, Camphor, and Thujone as Anti-inflammatory Compounds in a Salvia officinalis L. Infusion Using Human Gingival Fibroblasts. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2013
  • Hamidpour Rafie, Hamidpour Soheila, Hamidpour Mohsen, Shahlari Mina. Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora), a traditional remedy with the history of treating several diseases. IJCRI – International Journal of Case Reports and Images
  • Kim JR, Kang P, Lee HS, Kim KY, Seol GH. Car diovascular effects of linalyl acetate in acute nicotine exposure. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine. 2017
  • Ballabeni V, Tognolini M, Chiavarini M, Impicciatore M, Bruni R, Bianchi A, Barocelli E. Novel antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities of essential oil from Lavandula hybrida Reverchon “grosso”. Phytomedicine. 2004
Clementine. M.
Naturopath – Aromatherapist / Herbalist – Phytotherapist
Consultant in Clinical Phyto-aromatherapy and Ethnomedicine

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