'Super' lavandin is a specific cultivar of Lavandula x intermedia, which is a hybrid cross between English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia). Like other lavandins, 'Super' is known for its larger size and higher essential oil yield compared to English lavenders. What makes 'Super' stand out among lavandins is its particular chemical composition, which leads to its primary uses:
Primary Uses for 'Super' Lavandin:
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Aromatherapy and Topical Therapeutic Applications (Especially for Respiratory, Muscular, and Nervous System Support):
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Respiratory Benefits: Due to its significant content of compounds like 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) and camphor (though typically lower in camphor than 'Grosso' or Spike lavender itself), 'Super' lavandin essential oil is highly valued as an expectorant and decongestant. It's commonly used in diffusers, steam inhalations, and chest rubs to help relieve colds, coughs, bronchitis, and sinus congestion.
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Muscular Pain and Stiffness: It possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it excellent for soothing sore muscles, cramps, aches, and joint stiffness. It's a popular choice in massage oils for athletes or for general body aches.
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Nervous System Support (Calming and Balancing): While lavandins generally have some stimulating qualities due to camphor, 'Super' lavandin is particularly noted for having higher levels of esters (like linalyl acetate) compared to other lavandins (often 6-12% camphor, but also 25-40% esters). This gives it a more balancing and even relaxing effect, making it useful for reducing nervousness, anxiety, stress, and promoting restful sleep. It's considered closer to true lavender in its calming benefits than other lavandins like 'Grosso'.
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Skin Healing: Its antiseptic, antimicrobial, and cell-regenerative properties make it useful for minor cuts, wounds, insect bites, and various skin irritations (e.g., acne, dermatitis).
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Commercial Fragrance and Industrial Applications:
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Soaps, Detergents, and Household Cleaners: 'Super' lavandin's robust, fresh, and slightly camphoraceous aroma, combined with its relatively lower cost (due to higher yield) compared to L. angustifolia oil, makes it a prime ingredient in a vast array of cleaning products, soaps, shower gels, shampoos, and detergents. It provides a clean, herbaceous, and deodorizing scent.
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Perfumery: While less floral than true lavender, 'Super' lavandin is valued in perfumery, especially in fougère-type colognes and more herbaceous or masculine fragrances. It adds fresh, clean, and sometimes slightly coumarin-like notes. It can also be used to "extend" or add body to true lavender blends.
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Potpourri and Sachets: Its strong, long-lasting fragrance makes it ideal for dried floral arrangements, potpourri, and scented sachets, retaining its aroma well. It's a popular choice for lavender farm products.
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Horticultural Use:
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Ornamental Plant: As a garden plant, 'Super' lavandin is valued for its vigorous growth, large size (typically 2-3 feet tall and wide), and abundant, deep purple-blue flower spikes. It makes an excellent addition to borders, hedges, and mass plantings, providing significant visual impact.
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Cut Flowers: Its long, sturdy stems and good flower retention make it an excellent choice for fresh-cut flower bouquets.
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Pollinator Attractor: Like all lavenders, it's a strong magnet for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.
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Key Characteristics that Drive Its Uses:
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Aroma Profile: A balanced blend of sweet floral notes from L. angustifolia and the strong herbaceous/camphoraceous notes from L. latifolia. 'Super' is notable for having a higher ester content among lavandins, contributing to its more relaxing qualities.
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High Essential Oil Yield: 'Super' is bred for high oil production, making its essential oil more economically viable for commercial applications than that of true lavender.
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Vigorous Growth: It's a robust plant that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it productive for growers.
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Good for Drying: The flowers and stems dry well, retaining both color and fragrance.
While 'Super' lavandin is generally considered edible, similar to 'Phenomenal' (another lavandin), some culinary purists might still prefer the absolute lowest camphor content found in select English lavender varieties like 'Munstead' or 'Melissa' for very delicate flavors. However, for most robust culinary uses, and certainly for its widespread applications in aromatherapy and consumer products, 'Super' lavandin is a versatile and powerful workhorse in the lavender family. You can often buy lavender online as 'Super' lavandin from islandlavender.com and other suppliers.