Botanical Adulterants Monitor: Issue 20, September 2020

English Lavender Essential Oil Botanical Adulterants Prevention Bulletin Published

English lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia), also known as common lavender or lavender, is the essential oil obtained by distillation of the lavender flowering tops. The oil is widely used to help with anxiety and to promote restful sleep. Lavender oil and/or ingredients labeled as lavender oil are also popular ingredients in personal care, home care, and cosmetic products.

Due to the comparatively high cost of English lavender essential oil, substitution with other, lower-cost species of Lavandula has been reported. One of the most frequently mentioned adulterants is lavandin (Lavandula × intermedia) oil, even though lavandin is regarded as an acceptable substitute by some international authorities, e.g., the World Health Organization. Since Lavandula species are prone to hybridization, it is difficult to find pure L. angustifolia, and the quality control of the oils is mainly based on essential oil profiles. Examples of lavender adulteration also include the undeclared addition of other essential oils, or essential oil fractions, and admixture of undisclosed purified or synthetic components, such as linalool and linalyl acetate, or non-volatile diluents.

The Bulletin¹ was authored by Ezra Bejar, PhD, an expert in medicinal plant research in San Diego, California, and was peer-reviewed by 25 experts with expertise in lavender oil from academia, contract analytical laboratories, consulting services, trade organizations, and the botanical and essential oil industries. The English lavender oil bulletin includes information about the production and market importance of English lavender oil, a review of the available literature on adulteration, data on adulteration frequency, and analytical approaches to detect adulterants.

Reference

1. Bejar E. Adulteration of English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil. Botanical Adulterants Prevention Bulletin. Austin, TX: ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program; 2020:1-11.