ABSTRACT
The lavandin is native to the Mediterranean area and is widely cultivated for production of essential oils and as a decorative plant in Spain, France, Italy, the Balkan Peninsula, Morocco, South Africa, India, Argentina, Australia and Tasmania. Essential oils are present in the inflorescences of the lavandin, mostly in the calyces of the florets. They are produced commercially by steam disillaion from selected cultivars. Lavandin oils are used as fragrances in perfumes, soaps, detergents, cosmetics and air fresheners, and are also employed by the pharmaceuical industries. In food manufacturing, lavan-din essential oil may be used in flavoring beverages, ice cream, baked goods and chewing gum. The oil is believed to combat halitosis, to be anisepic, ani-bacterial, anifungal, anispasmodic, carminaive, seda-ive, cholagogue, diureic, anidepressive, simulaive, anti-inflammatory, healing, and effective for burns and insect bites. The industrial uses of linalyl acetate and linalool are different.
