If you have noticed our essential oil collection, you would have seen that HYSSES carries 2 different types of Lavender – True French Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) and Spike Lavender (Lavandula Latifolia). These 2 types of Lavender are distilled from the same origin, but what makes them different from each other and how would you know which type is suitable for your needs?

Let’s break down on the properties of each essential oil.

True Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia)

True Lavender grows at higher altitudes of over 2000 ft and has small purplish-blue flowers which gives off a sweet floral-herb fragrance. Its content highly consists of Linalyl acetate, and that makes it a powerful anti-bacterial remedy for infections, inflammation and viruses. True Lavender is also preferred over Spike Lavender for its efficacy in healing cuts, scrapes and light burns. While True Lavender is usually the popular choice for evoking a relaxing and calming vibe, its scent is usually lighter and fainter than Spike Lavender.

Spike Lavender (Lavandula Latifolia)

Spike Lavender, on the other hand, thrives in lower altitudes. Because of this, their flowers are often a greyish-blue tint. This species of Lavender has higher levels of Cineole, a compound that is also found in camphor essential oils like peppermint and rosemary. Because of its high camphor content, Spike Lavender is a better choice for easing headaches, aches or respiratory issues. It has decongestant, antiviral and pain-relieving properties. For mental stimulation and concentration, Spike Lavender works just as well as other concentration-boosting essential oils. Another surprising benefit that comes with this oil is that it also an insect repellent.

There is also a lesser known species of Lavender, Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia) which is a hybrid of True Lavender and Spike Lavender. Lavandin also has a unique three-pronged stem while the other two species only have a single stem. It is predominately made up of alcohols and esters, making it the strongest among the other two in stimulating the immune system and keeping the body free from viruses and bacteria. The downside, however, is that it does not have strong calming, cell-regenerating and balancing properties.

In summary, if you are looking for an oil to assist in relaxation after a long day at work, pick True Lavender. And if you need a little boost in your concentration or an oil for decongesting your nose, go for Spike Lavender!

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