Lavender is generally perceived as a symbol of fragrance, tranquility and beauty.
But did you know that not all lavender has healing properties?
Some varieties are used exclusively as ornamental plants, others as technical crops. Only a small portion have proven properties—suitable for health, internal use, or gentle body care.
Real lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
This variety, often referred to as medicinal lavender, is the only one whose effects have been scientifically proven – namely on:
- the nervous system (sleep, stress, anxiety),
- digestion,
- supporting the immune system.
It contains a high proportion of linalool and linalyl acetate – substances with relaxing, anti-inflammatory and harmonizing effects.
True lavender is very gentle and therefore suitable for children, sensitive skin and internal use.
This group includes various cultivars such as 'Hidcote', 'Vera', 'Maillette', and 'Munstead'. They differ in appearance, fragrance, and active ingredient content.
'Munstead' in particular impresses with its particularly mild nature, early flowering, compact growth habit, and high resistance – making it the ideal choice for purely natural care and manual harvesting.
👉 Interesting to know: The name Lavandula angustifolia Mill. is the full botanical name of real lavender.
The abbreviation “Mill.” does not refer to a specific variety or brand – it stands for the British botanist Philip Miller , who described and classified this species in the 18th century.
Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' – Lavandula Bohemia®
Lavandin (Lavandula × intermedia)
Lavandin is a hybrid created by crossing true lavender with spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia).
It is cultivated mainly for its high yield of essential oil, but its composition is different:
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it contains a higher proportion of camphor, which can be irritating,
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it has a stimulating rather than a calming effect,
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It is not suitable for internal use and may be too strong for sensitive skin.
It is mainly found in cleaning products, soaps and industrial cosmetics.
It is cheaper and has a stronger fragrance, but it lacks the delicacy and therapeutic power of real lavender.
Lavandin
Source: Lavender Museum
Source: Musée de la Lavande (museedelalavande.com)
Other lavender species: beautiful, but not medicinal
Other types of lavender are often found on the market – visually appealing, but without medicinal effects:
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Lavandula stoechas – striking “Spanish” lavender with butterfly-like bracts.
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Lavandula dentata – decorative “French” lavender with finely toothed leaves.
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Lavandula latifolia – intense camphor-like scent, less suitable even for cosmetic purposes.
These species do not contain enough effective ingredients, are unsuitable for sensitive care and are usually only used as ornamental plants or for their fragrance.
Lavandula stoechas
So what is Lavandula Bohemia®?
Lavandula Bohemia® is a variety of Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead', grown organically on the calcareous marine deposits of the Barrandia protected area.
According to research by the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague (VŠCHT)
( Dr. Iveta Horsáková, Doz. Helena Čížková ) and the Biocen laboratory
( Doz. Ing. Petr Kaštánek, Ph.D. ) it was proven that:
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contains up to 6× more antioxidants, flavonoids and natural antidepressants than other lavender varieties,
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has an exceptionally pure, natural and powerful composition , influenced by limestone and biodynamic hand cultivation .
It is therefore ideal for:
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internal use (e.g. teas, syrups, hydrolates),
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sensitive skin , children and seniors,
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the daily care of body and mind – without Side effects
