Lavender Flos

Lavandula angustifolia
Analytical, Quality control, and Therapeutic Monograph

Figure 1. Lavandula angustifolia

( gardendesign.com)
Definition
Flos Lavandulae consists of the dried flowers of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (Lamiaceae) (WHO, 2007).

Synonyms
Lavandula officinalis Chaix, L. spica Loisel., L. vera DC, L. vulgaris Lam. Lamiaceae are also known as
Labiatae. In most formularies and older reference books, Lavandula officinalis Chaix is regarded as the
correct species name. However, according to the International Rules of Botanical Nomenclature,
Lavandula angustifolia Mill. is the legitimate name for the species (WHO, 2007).

Selected vernacular names

Lavanda, lavande, lavande femelle, lavande véritable, lavando, lavandula vraie, Lavendel, (WHO, 2007).

Description
An aromatic shrub, 1–2 m high. Branches grey-brown to dark brown with long flowering and short leafy
shoots, bark longitudinally peeling. Leaves clustered on leafy shoots, widely spaced on flowering shoots;
petiole very short; blade linear-lanceolate to linear, 17 mm long, 2 mm wide on leafy shoots, 2–6 cm long,
3–6 mm wide on flowering shoots; grey stellate tomentose, base attenuate, margin entire, revolute, apex
obtuse. Inflorescence a crowded, interrupted or nearly continuous spike, 2–8 cm long; verticillasters
numerous, with 6–10 flowers, upper ones densely crowded; peduncle about three times longer than the
spike; bracts papery, rhombic-ovate, 3–8 mm long, rust coloured when dry; bracteoles absent or up to 2.5
mm long, pedicel 1.0–1.5 mm long; calyx 4–7 mm long, densely grey stellate tomentose outside, with 13
longitudinal ribs, upper lip entire, appendage obcordate, lower lip four-toothed; corolla 10–12 mm long,
blue, base subglabrous, throat and limb glandular hairy, upper lips straight, lower lips spreading. Nutlets
narrowly cylindrical (WHO, 2007).

PLANT MATERIAL OF INTEREST: FLOWER

General appearance

Consists mainly of tubular-ovoid, ribbed, bluish-grey calices with five teeth, four of which are short,
while the fifth forms an oval or cordate projecting lip. Petals, much crumpled, are fused into a tube with a
lower lip consisting of three small lobes and an upper lip comprising two larger erect lobes; the colour
varies from deep bluish grey to a discoloured brown. Corolla contains four stamens and a superior ovary
(WHO, 2007).

Organoleptic properties
Odour: fragrant, aromatic; taste: aromatic, bitter, somewhat camphoraceous (WHO, 2007, AHPA, 2015).

Microscopic characteristics
The bluish-grey powder shows covering trichomes bifurcating at one or more levels; secretory trichomes
with short stalks and eight-celled heads of the Labiatae type; secretory trichomes with unicellular or
multicellular stalks and unicellular heads; secretory trichomes with long uneven stalks and unicellular
heads, separated from the peduncle by an intermediary cell with a smooth cuticle; certain such trichomes
show a crown of small spheroid cells just below the insertion point of the intermediary cell on the
peduncle; fragments of warty epidermis from the inner surface of the petals; fragments of calyx epidermis
with sinuous-walled cells and containing pyramid crystals of calcium oxalate; spherical pollen grains
which have a diameter of about 45 µm and an exine with six slit-like germinal pores and six ribbon-like
groins radiating from the poles.
 Figure 2. Lavandula angustifolia under Microscopes (Farkas et al., 2014)

Geographical distribution
Indigenous to the northern Mediterranean region. Cultivated in southern Europe and in Bulgaria, Russian
Federation, United States of America and the former Yugoslavia (WHO, 2007).

Ecology/cultivation
Lavender grows on well-drained, fertile and lime soils. It grows best in full sun with wind protection. In
subsequent years of cultivation, lavender may be fertilized with manure or chemical fertilizers, but care
should be taken not to acidify the soil or introduce too much nitrogen, as this causes excessive gain in the
green parts with a simultaneous reduction in inflorescence. Lavender shrubs are regularly pruned in order
to stimulate plant growth and to promote flowering. The flowering period lasts from July to August.
Harvesting should be carried out on dry, sunny days. Flowers should be collected before opening, dried in
bundles in shaded and well-ventilated places. The plant portions used for herbal purposes are flowers
(Flos Lavandulae) or flowering aerial parts (Herba Lavandulae), and the material used for essential oil
production consists of fresh or dried tops of flowering plants (Prusinowska, 2014)
PURITY TESTS

Foreign organic matter

100 g each of whole dried samples were spread in thin layers on a white paper. Foreign matters
were detected by inspecting with naked eye, separated and weighed. Then the percentages of
foreign matters were calculated (Fidan, 2011). Not more than 2.0% (WHO, 2007).

Total ash
Sample were weighed (1.000 g) in silica crucibles previously ignited by a furnace to a constant
mass. Samples were incinerated at 600°C for 3 hours and weighed after they were allowed to
cool in desiccators (Fidan, 2011). Not more than 9.0% (WHO, 2007).

Acid-insoluble ash
Sample were weighed (1.000 g) in silica crucibles previously ignited by a furnace to a constant
mass. Samples were incinerated at 600°C for 3 hours and weighed after they were allowed to
cool in desiccators (Fidan, 2011). Ashes was boiled with 25 mL of acid dilute chloride for 5
minutes, then collection of parts that don't dissolve in acid, filter through ash-free filter paper,
pour with hot water (Zainab, 2016). Not more than 1.0% (WHO, 2007).

Moisture
Not more than 10.0% (WHO, 2007).

Water soluble extractive

1 gr of air dried rhizome, coarsely powered was macerated with 100 ml of distilled water in a
closed flask for twenty four hours shaking frequently. Solution was filtered and 25 ml of filtrated
was evaporated in a tarred flat bottom shallow dish, further dried at 100°C and weighted .The
percentage of water soluble extractive was calculated with reference to the air dried rhizome
(Momin, 2012). Not less than 18.0% (WHO, 2007)

Alcohol soluble extractive

1 gr of air dried rhizome, coarsely powdered was macerated with 100 ml alcohol in closed flask
for 24 hrs with frequent shaking. It was filtered rapidly taking precaution against loss of alcohol.
25ml of filtrate was then evaporated in a tarred flat bottom shallow dish, dried at 100°C and
weighted. The percentage of alcohol soluble extractive was calculated with reference to air dried
rhizome (Momin, 2012). Not less than 12.0% (WHO, 2007)

Pesticide residues
Determination of pesticide residues was carried out by gas chromatographic multi residue
quantitative determination pesticide residues (Elhassan, 2014). The recommended maximum limit
of aldrin and dieldrin is not more than 0.05 mg/kg (WHO, 2007).
CHEMICAL ASSAYS
Contains not less than 1.3% (v/w) essential oil determined by steam distillation (WHO, 2007).

MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

Contains 1.0–3.0% essential oil, of which the major constituents are linalyl acetate (30–55%) and linalool
(20–50%). Other constituents include β-ocimene, 1,8-cineole (1,8-cineol, cineol, cineole, eucalyptol),
camphor and caryophyllene oxide (6, 9, 10). The structures of linalyl acetate and linalool are presented
below.

Figure 3. Structure of Phythochemical Lavandula angustifolia (WHO, 2007)

THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPH FINGERPRINT

For the TLC analysis, mix 500 mg of powdered sample with 5 mL of toluene and sonicate for 10 minutes,
centrifuge or filter the solutions and use the supernatants / filtrates as test solutions. 2 µl of reference
solutions and samples were applied to the TLC plate. At the end of the migration, TLC Plates were dried
and phytochemical compounds observed under natural light or after revelation by the Anisaldehyde
reagent (=170 mL of ice-cooled methanol are mixed with 20 mL of acetic acid, 10 mL of sulfuric acid
and 1 mL of anisaldehyde) and observation under UV light in 366 nm (AHPA, 2015).

Figure 4. TLC-Fingerprinting of Lavandula

angustifolia (AHPA, 2015).

Eluent: Toluene, ethyl acetate 95:5 (v/v).

Detection: under UV light in 366 nm after revelation
with the Anisaldehyde reagent;
Spots:
Std: 2 µL Linalool, Cineole, Linalyl acetate
S1: 2 µL Lavender flower
S2: 4 µL Lavender flower
S3: 6 µL Lavender flower
Support: Silicagel 60 F254 Merck;
Fluorescence: Linalyl acetate: violet zone at Rf ~ 0.57;
Linalool: violet zone at Rf ~ 0.27
MEDICINAL USES
Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well established documents Symptomatic treatment of restlessness,
insomnia, and as a carminative and antispasmodic for gastrointestinal disorders of nervous origin.
Externally in balneotherapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. Uses described in traditional
medicine as a diuretic and an emmenagogue, and for the treatment of burns, diarrhoea, headaches, sore
throats and wounds. The active compounds present in herbs exhibit multidirectional phytotherapeutic
activity and are used in the treatment of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and urinary
infections, as well as in chronic diseases of children and elderly people (WHO, 2007, Prusinowska, 2014).

PHARMACOLOGY
Experimental pharmacology

Antibacteria
Lavandula angustifolia oil was demonstrated to have in vitro activity against both MRSA (methicillin-
resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and VRE (vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis) at a
concentration of less than 1%. Both the oil and oil vapour have been demonstrated to possess some
antifungal activity. Lavandula angustifolia (1% and 10%) inhibited conidium germination and germtube
growth of the fungus Botrytis cinerea (Cavanagh, 2002).

Antioxidant activity
A 50% ethanol extract of the flowers had antioxidant activity in vitro, median effective dose 45.0 mg/ml
(WHO, 2007).

Antiulcer activity
Intragastric administration of 400.0 mg/kg body weight (bw) of an 80% ethanol extract of the flowers to
mice significantly (P < 0.05) reduced ethanol-induced gastric ulcerations by 62.9% (20). Uterine
stimulating activity A hot aqueous extract of the flowers (dose not specified) stimulated uterine
contractions in isolated pregnant guinea-pig uterus (WHO, 2007).

Anticonvulsant and sedative activities

Intraperitoneal administration of 2.5 g/kg bw of linalool to rodents protected against convulsions induced
by pentylenetetrazole, picrotoxin and electroshock. In mice, intraperitoneal administration of 2.5 g/kg bw
of linalool interfered with glutamate function and delayed N-methyld- aspartate-induced convulsions.
Linalool acts as a competitive antagonist of [3H]-glutamate binding and as a non-competitive antagonist
of [3H]-dizocilpine binding in mouse cortical membranes, suggesting interference of glutamatergic
transmission. The effects of linalool on [3H]- glutamate uptake and release in mouse cortical
synaptosomes were investigated. Linalool reduced potassium-stimulated glutamate release. These data
suggest that linalool interferes with elements of the excitatory glutamatergic transmission (WHO 1999).

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Flos Lavandulae is contraindicated in cases of known allergy to the plant material. Owing to their
traditional use as an emmenagogue and abortifacient, the flowers should not be used during pregnancy
(WHO, 2007).

DOSAGE FORMS
Dried flowers, tablets, capsules, fluidextract, syrup, tincture and tonics. Store in a well closed container,
in a cool, dry place, protected from light (WHO, 2007).
PRECAUTIONS AND WARNING
Children: Applying products to the skin that contain lavender oil is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for young boys
who have not yet reached puberty. Lavender oil seems to have hormone effects that could disrupt the
normal hormones in a boy's body. In some cases, this has resulted in boys developing abnormal breast
growth called gynecomastia. The safety of these products when used by young girls is not known
(WebMD, 2018).

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking
lavender if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use (WebMD, 2018).

Surgery: Lavender might slow down the central nervous system. If used in combination with anesthesia
and other medications given during and after surgery, it might slow down the central nervous system too
much. Stop using lavender at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery (WebMD, 2018)

POSOLOGY
Internally as a tea, dried flowers, 1–2 teaspoonfuls per cup, three times per day; tincture (1:5) in 60%
ethanol, 2–4 ml three times per day (WHO, 2007).

Externally as bath therapy, dried flowers, 20–100 g per 20 l of water (WHO, 2007)

Referenses

AHPA., 2015., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., (Available online at

http://www.botanicalauthentication.org/index.php/Lavandula_angustifolia_(flower)) [accessed
on October 16, 2018].

Cavanagh, H.M.A and Wilkinson, J.M., 2002., Biological Activities of Lavender Essential Oil.,
Phytotherapy Research Phytother. Res. 16, 301–308

Elhassan, E.H.A.R., Ahmmed,E.M and Nizar Sirag., 2014., Standardization of Roselle

(Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Calyx cultivated in Sudan ISSN 1996-0875., Journal of Medicinal
Plants Research., page 217-222.

Farkas, A., Papp, N., Bencsik, T and Györgyi Horváth., 2014., Lavandulae flos – Lavender
flower (Ph. Eur. 5.0)., (Available online at
https://www.tankonyvtar.hu/en/tartalom/tamop412A/20110016_06_herbarium_and_drog_atlas/
h02s91.html) [accessed on October 19, 2018].

Fidan, P.Ö., Nilüfer, O., and Fatma ERGUN., 2011., Studies on the Conformity of Hibiscus
sabdariffa L. Samples from Turkish Market to European Pharmacopeia., FABAD J. Pharm.
Sci., 36, 25-32

Momin, R.K and Kadam, V.B., 2012., Determination Of Soluble Extractive Of Some Medicinal
Plants Of Genus Sesbania Of Marathwada Region In Maharashtra., International Journal of
Life Science & Pharma Research
PRUSINOWSKA, R and ŚMIGIELSKI, K. B., 2014., Composition, Biological Properties And
Therapeutic Effects of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.). A Review., Herba Polonica Vol.
60 No 2 2014.

WebMD., 2018., Lavender: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning., (Available
online at https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-838/lavender) [accessed on
October 19, 2018]

World Health Organization., 2007., WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants.—Vol. 3.,
WHO Library Cataloguing in Publication Data., Spain., Page. 229-235

Zainab., Gunanti, F., Witasari, H.A., et.al., 2016., Penetapan Parameter Standarisasi Non
Spesifik Ekstrak Etanol Daun Belimbing Wuluh (Averrhoa bilimbi L.)., Prosiding Rakernas
dan Pertemuan Ilmiah Tahunan Ikatan Apoteker Indonesia.