Description
Refer to LAVENDER.
Chemical Properties
By extraction with benzene or other solvents of the partially dried flowering herb, the concrete is prepared in approximately 1.5 to 2.0% yields. It is a viscous liquid with a dark-green color and sweet, herbaceous odor
Chemical Properties
Lavender oil is produced by steam distillation of freshly cut, flowering tops
of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (Lamiaceae). It is a pale yellow, amber-tinged
liquid with a fresh, sweet, floral, herbaceous odor on a woody balsamic base.
d2020 0.880–0.890; n20D 1.4580–1.4640; α20D ?11.5 ° to ?7 °; solubility: 1 vol in
max. 2 vol of 75% ethanol; acid value: max. 1; ester value 102.5–165, corresponding
to an ester content calculated as linalyl acetate: 35.8–58%; content
of linalyl acetate by GC: 25–45% (specification for French population lavender oil).
Chemical Properties
Prepared from the concrete in approximately 50 to 60% yields. It is dark-green and is sometimes decolorized using
activated charcoal.
Chemical Properties
The oil is obtained by steam distillation of the freshly cut flowering tops and stalks. It has an ester-like, slightly camphoraceous odor. The yields in essential oil range from 0.6 to 1%
Chemical Properties
Wild or cultivated shrub having erect, branched stems with a
woody lower portion; opposite, whitish-green, narrow leaves;
lilac-purple flowers in glomerulate spikes placed at the tip of
branches. The plant grows in Mediterranean areas (French-Italian
Alps), England, North America, North Africa, and several Euro pean countries. The parts used are the flowering tops and stalks.
Lavender has a sweet, herbaceous, slightly floral odor.
The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the freshly
cut flowering tops and stalks. (A terpeneless oil also is prepared
by carefully distilling the essential oil under vacuum.) It is a pale yellow to yellow-amber, mobile liquid with an ester-like, slightly
camphoraceous odor. The yields in essential oil range between
0.6% to 1%. The physical-chemical constants vary, depending on
the source.
The main constituents of lavender include l-linalool, l-linayl acetate, probably furfural, valeric aldehyde, amyl alcohol, α-pinene,
cineol, small amounts of d-borneol, geraniol, terpenes, and traces
of coumarin.
The English lavender oil is distilled from a different lavender
variety, L. intermedia Loisel. It has a higher linalool but a lower
linalyl ester content that seldom exceeds 10%; French lavender
contains from 30 to 60% esters. Lavender essential oil does not
withstand prolonged aging. Use of the product within 12 to 15
months from preparation is advisable. Several hybrid lavender
varieties are used today for distillation. These oils are commer cially available under different trade names that define somewhat
the characteristics of the oil. In France, the main types offered
commercially are Matheronne and Maillette.
The derivatives are infusion, tincture, concrete, and absolute. By
extraction with benzene or other solvents of the partially dried
flowering herb, the concrete is prepared in approximately 1.5 to
2.0% yields. The absolute is prepared from the concrete in approx imately 50 to 60% yields. The concrete is a more or less liquid,
viscous mass with a dark-green color and sweet, herbaceous odor.
The absolute is also dark-green and is, sometimes, decolorized
using activated charcoal. The main constituents include linalool,
linayl acetate, coumarin, an umbelliferone methyl ether, and cou maric acid.
Chemical Properties
Wild or cultivated shrub having erect, branched stems with a woody lower portion; opposite, whitish-green, narrow
leaves; lilac-purple flowers in glomerulate spikes placed at the tip of branches. The plant grows in Mediterranean areas (French–
Italian Alps), England, North America, North Africa and several European countries. The parts used are the flowering tops and
stalks. Lavender has a sweet, herbaceous, slightly floral odor.
Occurrence
Found in the plant Lavandula officinalis chaix(Fam. Labiatae) (Guenther, 1949).
Definition
Extractives and their physically modified derivatives. Lavandula angustifolia.
Preparation
By steam distillation of the flowering stalks of Lavandula officinalis chaix(Guenther,
1949).
Essential oil composition
Main constituents of lavender include l-linalool, l-linalyl acetate, probably furfural, valeric aldehyde,
amyl alcohol, α-pinene, cineol, small amounts of d-borneol, geraniol, terpenes and traces of coumarin (Burdock, 1997).
