Spike lavender, a member of the mint family, is similar to true lavender and is grown for its oil. It has spiky branches and a darker, earthier scent. It can be used in aromatherapy and herbal medicine and is believed to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It prefers warm, sheltered areas and should be pruned to avoid becoming disheveled.
Spike Lavender is a member of the mint family native to the Mediterranean. It looks and smells very similar to true lavender, an herb that has been used by humans for a variety of purposes for hundreds of years. This plant is more commonly grown in commercial production for its oil than in gardens, although it is possible to obtain plants from a nursery, for people who prefer the look and scent of spike lavender.
Formally known as Lavendula latifolia, spike lavender has distinctly spiky branches and a scent that people sometimes describe as somewhere between sage and lavender. The plant’s scent is slightly darker and earthier than true lavender, and the flowers range in color from pale to dark purple. This lavender generally prefers low, temperate elevations, and lacks cold tolerance, which is something to consider when setting it up in a garden, as the plant prefers USDA zones six through eight.
This plant can be processed to extract its essential oils, usually through steam distillation. Spike lavender oil has historically been used by painters as a carrier oil, and is sometimes still sold for this purpose. It can also be used in skin care products and lavender-scented products; Many things labeled “lavender scent” are actually scented with lavender tang oil. The essential oils are chemically similar to those of true lavender, and are used in the same way in practices such as aromatherapy and herbal medicine.
People who are interested in growing this plant in their gardens should find a warm, sheltered area. It is also wise to prune this plant as it grows so that it does not become gangly or disheveled. Gardeners can harvest the flowers and dry them or use them fresh; Preparing lavender spike herbal remedies is relatively easy to do at home, for people who are comfortable working with herbal preparations. It is important to handle herbs carefully to retain their essential oils; If stored improperly, lavender can use up much of its effectiveness.
True lavender and spike lavender are usually clearly labeled by essential oil producers. There are variations in their chemical makeup that herbal medicine practitioners believe may cause them to behave slightly differently, with different properties attributed to each oil. While both are considered good for applications where calming and relaxing are desired, spike lavender is also believed to be analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
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