The yield of essential oil from lavender plant material can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the specific lavender species (e.g., Lavandula angustifolia vs. Lavandula x intermedia), climate, soil conditions, harvest time, and the distillation process itself.
However, a commonly cited estimate for true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is that it takes approximately 10 to 16 pounds (about 4.5 to 7.2 kilograms) of fresh lavender flowers to produce just one ounce (approximately 30 mL) of lavender essential oil.
Some sources will give a slightly lower number, around 11 pounds for one ounce, while others indicate a yield percentage. For instance, the essential oil content of lavender flowers can range from 0.5% to 1.5% of their weight. This means that for every 100 pounds of lavender plant material, you might get between 0.5 to 1.5 pounds of essential oil. Given that an ounce is about 0.0625 pounds, this translates to a substantial amount of plant material needed for just one ounce of oil.
This low yield is one of the reasons why pure, high-quality lavender essential oil can be relatively expensive. It highlights the intensive agricultural and distillation processes involved in producing this valuable aromatic compound. The concentration of beneficial compounds in just a small amount of essential oil is truly remarkable, reflecting the potency of nature's offerings.
The dedication required to cultivate, harvest, and distill such vast quantities of plant material for a seemingly small amount of oil is a testament to the value placed on lavender's therapeutic properties. The Lavender Farm in Door County Wisconsin, like other reputable growers and distillers, understands this intricate process, ensuring that the essential oil they produce is of the highest quality. You can buy lavender products online at islandlavender.com, appreciating the effort that goes into every drop.