ABSTRACT
Lavandula latifolia Medik., commonly known as spike lavender, is a strongly aromatic evergreen shrub growing to 30-80 centimeter (cm) tall. It is native to Italy, France and Spain and is naturalized in other Mediterranean countries. The plant is cultivated as an essential oil plant, for scent, ornament, and as a bee plant. The essential oil of spike lavender is obtained by steam distillation of the flowering tops of both cultivated and wild L. latifolia populations, but often, stems and leaves are also distilled together with the inflorescences. Spike lavender oil is believed to be antibacterial, antifungal, carminative, sedative, anti-depressive and effective for burns and insect bites and is widely used in aromatherapy. The most appreciated oils for the perfume and cosmetic industries are those with high content in linalool and low content in camphor, while those richer in camphor are mainly used in aromatherapy and phytotherapy.
