Cotton Lavender E.O (Santolina)

Adam Michael has this to say “Santolina is a low shrubby perennial from the Mediterranean with tiny yellow, button like flowers, grown for its distinctive aromatic foliage and used as edging in knot gardens. Flowers aside the plant has a striking coral-like appearance and is visually a rather beautiful plant.

Although this plant is commonly known as cotton lavender the aroma has little aromatic similarities to lavender. The top note is similar to smelling chamomile and yarrow with a fleeting red berry nuance. The heart notes through to dry down are more of a green herbal bouquet, with bitter and boozy character.

The major constituent is artemisia ketone accounting for a third of the oil and of which in isolated form exudes herbaceous, berry, honey and light mint qualities. Produced by steam distilling all aerial parts, sunshine yellow in colour and of a pourable viscosity. Useful material for pine accords, herbal bouquets, imparts warmth to lavender colognes, pairs well with rosemary, lavander, lavandin, clary sage and can also be useful for building forest notes.”

Botanical Name: Santolina chamaecyparissus

Origin: Spain