Lavandula angustifolia
Lavandula angustifolia
Narrow aromatic leaves and purple flowers.
Grey-blue narrow leaves.
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Plant type
- Subshrub
- Safety level (indicative)
- Generally recognised as safe
What the safety levels mean (expand legend)
- Generally recognised as safe. Often a common herb with reasonable harvest and use; still read the specific warnings on the card.
- Information. Primarily informational — details in the text and warnings below matter most.
- Caution. Needs extra care (dose, duration, sensitive groups, interactions).
- Risky. Significant risks — verify sources, contraindications and professional guidance.
- Not for home experimentation. Not suitable to experiment with at home without knowledge and certainty.
- High risk for internal use. Particular risk with internal use (e.g. alkaloids); avoid prolonged or irresponsible dosing.
- Not specified. Level not filled in yet — rely on individual warnings and links below.
Photograph on Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).
Plant habit
Quick overview
A practical summary; details are in the sections below.
- Safety grade
- Generally recognised as safe·details
- Scientific sources on the card
- Yes — sources are listed with claims·Science section
- When and what to harvest
- Flower — May–July
- Processing methods
Herbal infusion (tea), Honey macerate, Bath additive, Balm and more
All methods and recipes on the card- Topics and symptoms
Anxiety & inner restlessness, Bruises & scars (topical care), Complexion and local blemishes…
Topics section · Symptoms overview
Identification and mix-ups
Subshrub in Lamiaceae with narrow linear leaves; margins revolute (inrolled) when young and densely white-tomentose on the underside; mature leaves grey-green. Flowers small, blue-violet, arranged in interrupted whorls on a long leafless peduncle; the inflorescence forms a simple, unbranched spike (unlike lavandin). Whole plant with the characteristic lavender fragrance.
Possible mix-ups and risks
Most commonly confused with lavandin (Lavandula × intermedia), the commercial hybrid of L. angustifolia and L. latifolia, widely grown for essential oil production. Lavandin typically has longer and more robust flowering stems, branched spikes (with lateral branches at the base of the main spike), and a scent with a stronger camphor/borneol note. Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) has noticeably broader leaves and a three-branched inflorescence. Correct identification matters for pharmaceutical and food-grade use because of differences in linalool and linalyl acetate ratios in the essential oil.
Similar herbs
- Melissa officinalis
Aromatic herbs often paired with an evening tea; different essential oils and possible confusion with ornamental lavender species.
Topics and symptoms
More topics are in the symptoms and topics overview.
- Anxiety & inner restlessnessTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Bruises & scars (topical care)Traditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Complexion and local blemishesTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Head tension & headachesTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Insect bites (topical)Traditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Menopause comfortTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Mood swingsTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Muscles after exertionTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Sadness and melancholyTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Scalp & hairTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- SkinCosmetic· Traditional / cultural framingTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Skin after sunTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Sleep & dreamsTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Space clearing (ritual)Spiritual· Symbolic / cultural framing
- TopicScientific· Preliminary or weaker scientific findingsTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
- Trauma - gentle symbolic supportTraditional· Traditional / cultural framing
Sources
Geographic occurrence
Czechia
Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)
Widespread occurrence in the Czech Republic in suitable habitats.
Austria
Occasional (garden, cultivation, or fringe of the range)
Wave 1 (seed): often cultivation or border-range occurrence — refine per species and source.
Germany
Occasional (garden, cultivation, or fringe of the range)
Wave 1 (seed): often cultivation or border-range occurrence — refine per species and source.
Hungary
Occasional (garden, cultivation, or fringe of the range)
Wave 1 (seed): often cultivation or border-range occurrence — refine per species and source.
Poland
Occasional (garden, cultivation, or fringe of the range)
Wave 1 (seed): often cultivation or border-range occurrence — refine per species and source.
Slovakia
Occasional (garden, cultivation, or fringe of the range)
Wave 1 (seed): often cultivation or border-range occurrence — refine per species and source.
France
Occasional (garden, cultivation, or fringe of the range)
France: occurrence for the main European catalogue taxa — refine with national atlases / red lists.
Morocco
Occasional (garden, cultivation, or fringe of the range)
Maghreb top 20 — verify with atlases, national floras, and cultivated occurrence.
South Africa
Occasional (garden, cultivation, or fringe of the range)
South Africa top 20 — verify with atlases, fynbos, and savanna context.
Harvest
- FlowerMay–July
léto
Region: CzechiaNotes: Inflorescence in dry weather.
Storage
- Drying(Leaf)
Keep dried plant material in a sealed container.
- Light:
- Out of direct UV.
- Moisture:
- Low relative humidity.
Processing methods on this herb card
Infusion or brief extraction in hot water; usually without long boiling.
Full method description (from the catalogue)
In the narrow sense, “tea” often means an infusion: you pour water just off the boil over the dried plant matter and let it steep for a few minutes. Temperature, steep time, and the herb-to-water ratio change both flavour and what dissolves into the liquid.
Compared with a decoction, heat exposure is shorter and gentler; tender leaves and flowers are often better as an infusion than with prolonged simmering. For each herb, always follow the plant card for suitable plant part, preparation, and safety notes — general rules never replace species-level judgement.
Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no
Lavandula angustifolia — Herbal infusion (tea) (Flower)
About 8 minBeginnerScience profile
Macerating plant material in honey (a honey conserve).
Full method description (from the catalogue)
Honey as a maceration medium creates a viscous mixture with its own biochemistry: water activity, acidity, and enzymes influence shelf life and flavour. Traditionally it is used with delicate flowers or herbs when you want aroma bound into honey.
Infant botulism guidance for honey and honey safety in general sit outside a single herb page; maceration time, ratios, and storage must follow a vetted recipe and source, not this general overview alone.
Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no
Addition to bath water or a bath decoction; topical use.
Full method description (from the catalogue)
Bath preparations transfer soluble compounds into water for short-term skin contact. Concentration and water temperature change sensation and possible irritation.
Rinse the tub afterwards so residues from strongly coloured plants do not linger.
Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no
Thicker oily blend with more aromatic components; the term varies in practice.
Full method description (from the catalogue)
A balm is often perceived as thicker than a light salve, sometimes with richer scent or a firmer skin feel. Commercial and DIY meanings differ — always read ingredients and intended use (lips, elbows, massage).
For DIY work, watch emulsion stability and preservation per recipe.
Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no
Steam-distilled highly aromatic oil; requires dilution and respect for potency.
Full method description (from the catalogue)
Essential oil is a highly concentrated product of steam distillation (or other approved methods). A single drop can be plenty; topical use normally requires dilution in a carrier oil using established ratios.
Never apply strong neat oil to large areas without knowing irritancy.
Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: yes
Aqueous phase from steam distillation (floral water); not the same as macerated oil.
Full method description (from the catalogue)
A hydrosol forms alongside essential oil during distillation and contains water-soluble polar compounds plus trace volatiles. It is often used topically or as a mild cosmetic water; quality depends on plant input and equipment.
Store cool and protected from light per product type.
Traditional context for this method: no·Scientific context for this method: yes
Burning or heating aromatic plant material (smoke, steam).
Full method description (from the catalogue)
Incense may be dried herb, resin blends, or preparations on charcoal. The effect is sensory and cultural; smoke can irritate airways in sensitive people.
Ventilate the space; use non-flammable bases and heat-safe vessels.
Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no
Traditional / spiritual use
Kept separate from science — entries are cultural or symbolic, not medical advice.
Related guides in the library
Linen drawers and a ribbon of purple in the garden
General
Traditional useFolk useHerbal loreLavender in recent tradition clings to scented laundry, drawers, and a violet band along the border. Household calm is a cultural picture — it does not guarantee an effect for any individual reader.
- Form:
- čaj, sušení květů, polštářky
- Claim strength:
- Tradition
- Source note:
- Modern aromatic garden culture plus older tea practice.
Scientific notes
Each claim lists a study type and a source (URL or DOI) where available. Dose notes from the literature are informational only.
How to read evidence strength and study type labels
Labels summarise how the catalogue entry is tagged — they are not a medical verdict on efficacy. For every row, read the summary, limitations and source link.
Evidence strength
- Evidence level not specified
- The author did not grade the record; judge from the summary, limitations and source link.
- Narrative / orientational literature
- Descriptive or expert literature without controlled group comparison — context rather than proof of effect.
- Weak evidence
- Study or conclusion with major methodological limits; treat only as a pointer for further reading.
- Preliminary findings
- First or smaller studies — interesting direction, not the final word on efficacy or safety.
- Moderate strength of evidence
- Moderate strength by study design; sample and context limits still apply.
- Stronger evidence
- Stronger design or consistency of results within the study's stated limits.
- Review article
- A review summarises multiple sources; quality depends on review method and field.
Study type
- Narrative / expert text
- Expert text or overview without a classical study design.
- In vitro study
- Cell culture or test-tube experiment — does not show an effect in the body.
- Animal study
- Animal model — transfer to humans is not automatic.
- Observational study
- Observing groups without random treatment assignment; confounding is possible.
- Clinical trial
- Human clinical trial; sample size and control group matter.
- Randomised controlled trial
- Randomised controlled trials are among the stronger designs when well conducted.
- Review study
- A review aggregates multiple papers — quality depends on selection rules.
- Systematic review
- Systematic review with explicit search and selection methodology.
- Meta-analysis
- Statistical pooling of studies; outcome depends on input data and heterogeneity.
- Regulatory assessment / monograph (EMA, WHO…)
- Regulatory body summary for a herbal product — different context from a single RCT; often about products, not home tea.
- Expert monograph (herbal preparations)
- Structured literature summary for a plant or drug — quality depends on author and edition year.
Lavender essential oil trials often examine anxiety or sleep scores in short interventions; oral pharmacy-grade products differ from decorative garden material.
Evidence level not specifiedNarrative / expert textLimitations: Concentrated oils can be neurotoxic in overdose; hormonal and drug interaction case reports exist; pregnancy and children need cautious product choice.
The EMA HMPC monograph evaluates lavender flower and oil together; a flower tea is closer to the flower part of the monograph than the essential oil.
Review articleRegulatory assessment / monograph (EMA, WHO…)Year: 2012Preparation form in the study: infusion
Active compound / focus: essential oil, flavonoids (per the document)
Limitations: A home infusion from cut aerial parts or flower may not match the extracts in the document.
Dose note (from literature): See the PDF for preparations.
EMA Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) — European Medicines Agency
EMA: Final assessment report on Lavandula angustifolia Miller, aetheroleum and flos
Images
The main photo is in the card header. More images will appear here when available.
Safety
What the warning types mean
The type on each warning helps group themes — it does not replace the separate severity badge.
- Internal use
- Risks from swallowing, extracts, duration of use or concentration for internal use.
- Interactions / medicines
- Possible effect on medicines or concurrent treatment — check sources and a professional.
- Raw plant parts
- Raw, unripe or poorly prepared plant parts can be dangerous.
- Toxins and regulation
- Toxic constituents or regulated compounds (e.g. in distillates).
- Contact with the plant
- Skin or mucosa irritation from contact with fresh plant or sap.
- Allergy
- Allergic reactions, often linked to family sensitisation.
- Harvesting and contamination
- Contamination, species mix-ups or harvesting from unsuitable places.
No structured safety records yet.