septic and astringent for bath and massage of
cellulite; said to restore “psychic purity” and
strengthen immune system; cleansing effect
used in many men’s perfumes, after-shaves, and
colognes; calming effect on emotions; from
flowers, Yugoslavia; not to be used during preg-
nancy; production method: steam distillation;
blends well with elemi, cypress, clary sage,
lavandin; flammable- Khella: Ammi visnaga (family, Umbelliferae
[Compositae]); rarely available commercially;
from seeds, Egypt and Morocco; production
method: steam distillation; no formal testing;
not for use if pregnant or if photosensitive - Labdanum (cistus or rock rose): balsamic; Cistus
ladanifer(family, Cisgaceae); used as fixative in
perfumes, for meditation and counseling ses-
sions; calming, stress-reducing, and mood-ele-
vating properties; from resin, Morocco and
Spain; production method: steam distillation;
also used as skin conditioner; blends well with
clary sage, juniper berry, bergamot, cypress,
vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli, olibanum,
lavender, labdanum - Labrador tea: Ledum groenlandicum (family, Eri-
caceae); relaxing, soporific; used for meditation
and as expectorant; from aerial parts, Canada;
production method: steam distillation; not to be
used before driving or using equipment because
of soporific properties - Lantana: Lantana camara(family, Verbenaceae);
rare on commercial market; from aerial parts,
Madagascar; production method: steam distilla-
tion; no traditional uses as oil; avoid during
pregnancy because of ketone content - Lavender: herbaceous; Lavendula augustifolia, L.
officinalis, L. vera(family, Lamiaceae [Labiatae]);
versatile uses; relaxes, restores, balances body
and mind; refreshes tired muscles, feet, and
head; for treatment of burns and scarring (use
with caution); blends with many other oils;
from flowering tops, France; production
method: solvent extract for the absolute or
steam distillation for essential oil - Lavandin: Lavandula hybrida, L. fragrans, L. hort-
ensis (family, Lamiaceae [Labiatae]); hybrid
plant (combining true lavender and spike laven-
der); camphoraceous, herbaceous, floral aroma;
refreshing, purifying; used in perfumes, soaps,
and detergents; blends well with many other
oils, including cypress, geranium, citronella,
clove, cinnamon leaf, pine, thyme, and
patchouli; from leaves, France; production
method: steam distillation- Lavender spike: herbaceous; Lavandula latifolia;
from leaves and stems, Spain; production
method: steam distillation; for use as muscle
relaxant, soothing agent, skin conditioner,
astringent; blends well with lavender, lavandin,
rosemary, eucalyptus, petitgrain, neroli - Lemongrass: citrus; Cymbopogon citratus(family,
Poaceae [Gramineae]); sweet, refreshing,
cleansing, and stimulating tonic; in shampoo
acts as shine agent; antiseptic, astringent oil;
deodorizing room fragrance; may irritate skin;
from aerial parts, Guatemala; production
method: steam distillation; also used as insect
repellent; blends well with geranium, jasmine,
lavender; may irritate skin - Lemon: citrus; Citrus limonum(family, Rutaceae);
used in cosmetics; cleanses, refreshes, cools, and
stimulates; astringent and antiseptic used to
lighten dull, stained hands or to condition nails
and cuticles; blends well with other oils; do not
use on the skin in direct sunlight; from fruit peels,
United States; production method: expression;
some steam-distilled - Lemon verbena: Aloysia citriodora, A. triphylla,
Lippia citriodora, L. tripohylla, Verbena triphylla
(family, Verbenaceae); used in perfume and
liqueurs; mood-elevating, warming properties;
photosensitizer; do not apply to skin before
going into the Sun - Lime: citrus; Citrus aurantifolia (family,
Rutaceae); like lemon and other citrus oils, not
for use in direct sunlight unless lime oil has been
distilled rather than expressed (distillation elim-
inates the phototoxic effect); from fruit peels,
West Indies; production method: cold expres-
sion but some steam distillation; may irritate
skin; blends well with clary sage, citronella,
lavender, lavandin, neroli, rosemary
114 oils, essential