Guide to Spanish Lavender Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

Unlike the common essential oils of true lavender (Lavandula angustfolia), lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), and spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia), Spanish lavender essential oil (Lavandula stoechas) contains more 50% ketones. The oil is sometimes referred to as French lavender, even though that name is not technically correct.

The oil may also be called Seville, stoke, or butterfly lavender. The name Seville lavender is most commonly used to refer to Lavandula stoechas subsp. luisieri (Rozeira) Rozeira. The other commonly used subspecies for essential oil is Lavandula stoechas subsp. stoechas.

Basic Spanish Lavender Facts

Plant family: Lamiaceae.

Production: Steam distilled from flowering tops of the plant.

Aroma: Camphor-like, with hints of floral, woody, herby. Sometimes described as a sharp, medicinal scent.

Perfume/Aromatic note: Middle to top.

Is Spanish lavender safe to use during pregnancy? No, and do not use while breastfeeding, according to Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition.

Is Spanish lavender safe for children? Do not use with babies or young children (probably under the age of 10), according to several sources. Consult a professional.

Cautions: Contemporary French Aromatherapy states not to use Spanish lavender if you have a neurological condition.

Main components:

• Camphor 16.4–56.2%
• Fenchone 14.9–49.1%
• Cineole    3.6–14.5%

Source: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition

Spanish Lavender Aromatherapy Benefits

Essential Oils and Aromatherapy for Dummies: Spanish lavender is a strong wound healer that also helps ease sore muscles. The oil is especially effective on acne.

375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols: This essential oil is indicated for earache, eczema, and chronic sinusitis.

The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Handbook for Everyday Wellness: Spanish lavender is useful for relieving aches and pains and helps suppress coughing and loosen mucus. This oil simulates the central nervous system and can help reduce fatigue and mental exhaustion.

Aromatica: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, Volume I: Spanish lavender helps heal wounds, eczema, sores, and similar skin conditions. This essential oil stimulates the thinning and loosening of mucus in the airways and is useful for bronchitis and sinusitis. The oil is also a general restorative or tonic in hypotonic (weak) conditions.

Stillpoint Aromatics: Use Spanish lavender for the third chakra (personal power) and sixth chakra (perspective, clarity, protective, purifying).

The Essential Oil Company: The concentrations of 1,8 cineole and camphor in Spanish lavender essential oil makes it particularly useful for respiratory support. This oil helps stimulate both the immune and respiratory systems while also helping break up mucus and relieve cold and flu symptoms.

Suggested respiratory support diffuser blend:

• 3 drops Spanish lavender
• 3 drops peppermint essential oil
• 2 drops lemon essential oil
• 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Lavandula stoechas is commonly used in insecticides, insect repellents, and air freshening products.

Spanish Lavender Essential Oil Uses and Blends

NYC Aromatica suggests the following uses for Spanish lavender essential oil:

• Add to topical products for easing aches, pains, and inflammation
• Add to blends to support respiratory health (especially when an infection includes catarrh (stuck, sticky mucus)
• Add to blends to calm the mind or boost confidence and self-acceptance, especially if you need to let go of funky-stuck-down moods

The following blends are adapted from NYC Aromatica.

Clear the Mind and Support Joy

• 4 drops Spanish lavender
• 6 drops petitgrain (Citrus aurantium var amara) essential oil
• 2 drops clary sage (Salvia sclarea) essential oil
• Carrier oil

Add oils to a 10-ml rollerball. Fill with a carrier oil. Cap and shake. Apply to neck and shoulders or other areas, as desired.

Pain Relief Blend

Use this blend to help relieve acute pain. Add the following to a 2-ounce bottle:

• 4 tablespoons (2 ounces) trauma oil
• 20 drops Spanish lavender essential oil
• 15 drops black pepper essential oil
• 10 drops sweet marjoram essential oil
• 10 drops plai essential oil
• 5 drops clove bud essential oil

Balancing Relaxation Spray

Add the following essential oils to to a 2-ounce spray bottle:

• 15 drops Spanish lavender
• 12 drops hops (Humulus lupus) essential oil
• 5 drops vetiver essential oil

Fill the bottle with distilled water. Cap and shake before each use. Use as a body mist, avoiding eyes and other sensitive areas, or as a room spray.

For a detailed look at the Spanish lavender plant, see A Phytopharmacological review of a Mediterranean plant: Lavandula stoechas L.

Buy essential oils: Aromatics International or Rocky Mountain Essential Oils.

Aromatherapy for Massage Therapists.

Lavandula stoechas Photo Credit: User:Xemenendura, CC BY-SA 2.1 ES, via Wikimedia Commons.