Monthly Archives: July 2014

The Camphor Content of Lavandin Oil Helps with Sinus and Respiratory Congestion

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The Camphor Content of Lavandin Oil Helps with Sinus and Respiratory CongestionWhat the heck is lavandin oil anyway? A brand name, a catchy neologism, or a misspelling of lavender oil? None of the above! Lavandin is actually a real plant: it is a sterile cross between the world-famous true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) [1]. As a sterile cultivar of lavender, lavandin is similar in appearance, but its essential oil composition is notably dissimilar; as a result it has different though equally important uses in aromatherapy.

The Latin name for lavandin is Lavandula x intermedia; the ‘x’ represents that lavandin is a hybrid cross between two different species of lavender [2]. Like true lavender, lavandin comes in a number of different cultivated varieties, but the most common varietal used in essential oil production is the “Grosso” strain, so named for its large, prominent flower spikes. In general, lavandin can be distinguished visually from lavender by its taller height and its larger, longer flower spikes. Additional flower clusters also grow laterally up the stems of lavandin plants. Lavandin flowers can be either bluish purple (similar to lavender flowers) or purplish gray like spike lavender flowers. Because lavandin is sometimes found growing near lavender or spike lavender plants, botanists believe it may have come into being as a natural hybrid created by cross-pollination between L. angustifolia and L. latifolia in the wild [1].

Hybrid lavandin plants were first cultivated in 19th-century France for use in the essential oil industry. It quickly became an important oil in perfumery, and has been included in famous perfume blends up through the present era, including possibly the most famous commercial fragrance of them all, Chanel No. 5. In fact, Pierre Wertheimer, a perfumer known as the “perfume king” who worked closely with Chanel in creating this fragrance, even named his prize racehorse Lavandin! His dame was named Lavande, the French word for true lavender [2].

Lavandin is markedly different in the essential oil it produces: lavandin essential oil contains about 7% camphor, the same cooling compound found in the essential oil of the camphor tree Cinnamomum camphora [3]. This ratio of camphor is much higher than that in true lavender oil, giving lavandin oil a muskier, more penetrating aroma than the delicate floral scent of lavender. Lavandin is actually preferred in commercial cultivation of oils used for soaps, detergents and fragrances because it grows faster, produces a higher oil yield per pound, and is hardier than lavender: while lavender does best in higher altitude, Mediterranean climates, lavandin can thrive in a variety of altitudes and climatic conditions.

Many people perceive lavandin oil as being lower quality simply because it is cheaper to produce in volume than lavender oil, but this is a misconception. Although lavandin oil is popularly used in detergents, soaps, and other “industrial” fragrancing applications, due to its high camphor content, therapeutic-grade lavandin essential oil can also be used in aromatherapy, especially for inflammatory conditions [4]. Aromatherapists use lavandin oil in diffusion to clear nasal and respiratory congestion, clear sinuses, and as a mosquito repellent that may be more effective than lavender oil [3]. Once diluted in a carrier oil, lavandin essential oil also acts as an anti-inflammatory for sore muscles and joints: its camphor content produces a direct cooling effect on tissues and stimulates circulation to flush away inflammatory free radicals [4].

Lavandin oil is also known to be both calming and somewhat stimulating to the mental faculties. The oil is sometimes used to reduce nausea while bolstering the appetite and energy levels throughout the body [4]. However, unlike lavender oil which is therapeutic for burns, lavandin oil  should never be used to treat burns or irritated skin, because the camphor content in lavandin oil can actually irritate burned tissue [3].

When it comes to fragrancing, lavandin is simple: even though it has a muskier, more camphoraceous scent compared to lavender, the oil blends well with many of the same oils as lavender does, including clove, rosemary, thyme, sage, and citrus oils (especially bergamot and lime) [1]. Lavandin’s bolder aromatic presence can sometimes put people off this essential oil in favor of lavender, but this hybrid variety of lavender has a lot to offer in aromatherapy!

REFERENCES

1. “Lavender vs. Lavandin”. Jersey Lavender. Last modified November 27th, 2010. http://blog.jerseylavender.co.uk/?p=260.

2. “Lavandin (horse)”. Wikipedia. Last modified May 10th, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavandin_(horse).

3. Svec, Susan. “What the Heck is Lavandin?” Susan’s Natural Soap Blog. Last modified August 17th, 2009. http://susansoaps.com/blog/what-the-heck-is-lavandin/.

4. “Lavandin Oil Benefits”. Yogawiz. Accessed July 16th, 2014. http://www.yogawiz.com/aromatherapy/aromatherapy-essential-oils/lavandin-oil.html.

Calamus Oil As a Digestive Tonic for Gastrointestinal Disorders

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Calamus Oil as a Digestive Tonic for Gastrointestinal DisordersThe plant Acorus calamus has been known by many complimentary names throughout history, including “sweet flag”, “sweet cane”, “sweet grass”, “sweet cinnamon”, and “myrtle grass”. As the name suggests, calamus root has been a valued ingredient in perfumery and cooking for centuries—especially in medieval Europe and Asia, where it was often used a substitute for cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg due to the sweet, cinnamon-like scent of its roots [1]. Calamus essential oil has likely been used even longer as a perfume ingredient, and it’s still prescribed in American herbalism for stomach conditions such as gastritis, to calm nerves, and to relieve fatigue [1].

Acorus calamus is a perennial marsh plant with upright, flat green leaves. It grows in wetland areas and the margins of lakes, ponds and rivers, though it can tolerate drier soil if the shoreline recedes. Calamus also has a yellow cone-like flowering body reminiscent of a pine cone, and strongly scented roots that are harvested to distill the essential oil [2]. Although calamus isn’t a remarkable plant visually, it is notable for coming in three genetic variants with different numbers of chromosomes [3]. The native North American variety, Acorus calamus var. americanus, is diploid, meaning it has two sets of chromosomes, while the Asian variety Acorus calamus var. angustatus is tetraploid, with four sets of chromosomes. An infertile triploid form, Acorus calamus var. calamus, is thought to have been created somewhere in the Himalayas by crossing the diploid and tetraploid calamus varieties. This infertile variety is now the most common calamus in Asia due to propagation by humans [3].

A mention of calamus essential oil as a perfume ingredient appears in the Chester Beatty Egyptian Papyrus IV dating from 1300 BC [3]. Calamus root also appears in the Old Testament (Exodus 30: 23-25) as an ingredient in holy anointing oil, in which it was steeped in olive oil along with cinnamon, cassia bark, and myrrh [4]. More recently, calamus roots were used as a strewing herb in the Middle Ages along with lavender in the belief their scent repelled fleas [1]. In Asia, calamus root was prized as a digestive tonic and was processed into several edible forms: calamus roots could be steeped in water to make a tea or decoction, boiled to make simple syrups and calamus candy, or simply chewed after meals [1].

Calamus root from Acorus calamus var. americanus had somewhat different uses among indigenous Native Americans. In North America, the whole calamus root was typically either chewed or held in the mouth beside the cheek. Calamus root was used to prevent or alleviate fatigue during long journeys, to calm the mind while removing fears and anxieties, and to improve focus during long sweat lodge ceremonies. Calamus was also taken as a lozenge to soothe a sore throat caused by the prolonged singing often involved in these ceremonies [2].

Today, calamus root and calamus essential oil appear in American herbalism as remedies for GI disorders such as upset stomach, flatulence, constipation, loss of appetite, ulcers, and gastritis [2]. The inhalation of calamus oil was also recommended in Ayurveda to relieve nasal congestion and as a prophylactic against the common cold [2]. However, while whole calamus root is edible, calamus essential oil can cause seizures and delirium if ingested and should never be taken internally. Pregnant or nursing women should also avoid calamus oil. Finally, calamus oil should always be used sparingly in dilution [1].

Emotionally, calamus oil has both stimulant and relaxant properties when its sweet-spicy aroma is inhaled; it can be used to calm anxious mental states and panic attacks, and is especially reputed for calming the physical symptoms associated with anxiety, such as dizziness and a queasy stomach [2]. Herbalists think calamus may work this way by acting as a mild muscle relaxant [2]. With its uplifting and warm scent, calamus essential oil is often used in Angel magic, white magic, and as a Sun scent in blends with cedarwood, frankincense, cinnamon, lime, orange, patchouli, and sandalwood.

REFERENCES

1. “Calamus”. WebMD. Accessed June 20th, 2014. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-778-CALAMUS.aspx?activeIngredientId=778&activeIngredientName=CALAMUS&source=0.

2. MacDonald, Jim. “Sweet Flag/Bitter Root; Acorus calamus var. americanus”. Herbcraft. Accessed June 20th, 2014. http://www.herbcraft.org/calamus.html.

3. “Acorus calamus”. Wikipedia. Last modified June 19th, 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorus_calamus.

4. Roth, Harold A. “Calamus Root Essential Oil”. Alchemy Works. Accessed June 20th, 2014. http://www.alchemy-works.com/essential_oils_calamus.html.