Oil Spotlight: Lavender, the Oil That Does It All
If you only ever own one essential oil, it will probably be lavender. Soft, clean and gently floral, it is the friendly all-rounder of the aromatherapy world. Here is everything you need to know.
Meet the plant
True lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, is a small, silvery shrub with purple flower spikes. It loves sunshine, poor soil and dry summers, which is why it thrives across the Mediterranean. The flowering tops are steam distilled in high summer, when the oil content is at its peak.
Lavender in Spain
You do not have to go to Provence to see lavender fields. Every July, the fields around Brihuega in Guadalajara turn purple and the town holds a lavender festival that draws visitors from all over Spain.
What does it smell like?
Fresh, floral and slightly herbal, with a soft, clean finish. It sits in the heart of a blend, which means it bridges bright citrus top notes and deeper woody base notes beautifully.
Ways to enjoy lavender
- Diffuser: 4 to 5 drops for a calm, fresh room.
- Pillow mist: a little lavender in your evening routine is a classic for good reason.
- Massage oil: 4 drops in 10ml of sweet almond oil for a soothing hand or shoulder massage.
- Linen cupboard: a drop on a cotton pad tucked among your sheets. Keep it away from the fabric itself.
Perfect partners
Lavender is famously easy to blend. Try it with:
- Bergamot for a fresh, elegant twist.
- Cedarwood for a calm, grounded evening blend.
- Sweet orange for something cheerful and family-friendly.
- Clary sage for a soft, herbal bath-time blend.
Fun facts
- The name is often said to come from the Latin lavare, to wash, as the Romans loved it in their baths.
- Lavender is a member of the mint family, along with rosemary, sage and basil.
- Bees adore it, so a pot of lavender is one of the best things you can plant for pollinators.
Safety
Lavender is one of the gentler oils, but it should still be diluted before skin use and patch tested first. Keep it out of reach of children and pets, and take care when diffusing around cats.
Find out more on our lavender guide, or enjoy it in our Deep Sleep and Velvet Evening blends.
