Not all lavender is created equal:
Born of a generations old legacy of lavender, Cote Lavande offers the finest lavender products.
All Cote Lavande body and bath products are made with A.O.C. "Fine
Lavender" without artificial fragrance, and here are some of the
frequently asked questions about this expensive essential oil.
WHAT IS 'FINE' LAVENDER?
 | French ‘fine’ lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia) is one of the rarer
and, therefore, more expensive, members of the lavender family. It has
long been used by the perfumers of Grasse (Côte d'Azur), France in
world renowned fragrances.
Cultivated in specific fields which are designated as "lavande vraie" or "true lavender" it must be grown within
a specified territory in fields 2,600 feet above sea level. The product of all this effort is a unique lavender
that has superior fragrance and more intense therapeutic properties.
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This Lavender grown at high altitudes exhibits the highest total ester content which makes it the most relaxing of all the Lavenders. This oil appears to have the ability to uplift the mind whilst being relaxing to the body. French high altitude Lavender oil has a well balanced fragrance that is superior to many others, and is often the choice of the aromatherapist.
WHAT IS ESSENTIAL OIL?
Essential oils are those that can be extracted from certain species of flowers, fruits and trees.
The volatile molecules in the oils are what gives a flower its aroma.
They
are the life-force of plant and have a structure similar to the fluids
and oils in our skin, which makes them easily diffused throughout the
skin’s surface, traveling into our pores to improve our beauty, health
and well-being.
WHAT IS APPELLATION D'ORIGINE CONTRÔLÉE (A.O.C.)?
The Controlled Origin Label or "Appellation d'Origine Controlee" was
created by the French Government to protect the quality of essential
oils of lavender from Haute-Provence. It was established in 1981 to
assure consumers that this is genuine Haut-Provence Fine Lavender. To
obtain certification growers and processors must adhere to a government
system of agriculture, harvest and distillation regulations, that seek
to maintain the therapeutic properties of the natural fine lavender
plant. For this reason, A.O.C. quality certification is highly desired
but difficult to obtain.
Once harvested and distilled, each batch of the
essential oil undergoes an olfactory test which identifies defects
which may have been caused by field conditions, distillation methods,
or poor storage. An essential oil must pass this olfactory test before
it goes on to further testing and analysis, which determines if its
composition meets the government's high standards does the oil receive
the coveted AOC certification. |  |
WHAT ARE THE TRADITIONAL USES OF FINE LAVENDER ESSENCE?
Essential lavender oil has been traditionally used in France as a
topical application to heal minor burns and reduce scarring and to
counteract insomnia, anxiety, rheumatism, headaches, pains and as a
regenerative and anti-aging treatment. The oil is also used in
aromatherapy to calm and relax
ARE THERE OTHER TYPES OF LAVENDER?
 | Lavandin is a hybrid of fine lavender and the more common spike
lavender. Lavender plants have also been cloned. These varieties are
produced for quantity, not quality. Some plants are used for decoration
due to their color. Some are used for industrial purposes. Some are
used for their fragrance but unlike the natural, fine lavender, their
odor is stronger and they do not offer the therapeutic advantages of
pure fine lavender.
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WHY ARE SOME LAVENDER PRODUCTS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN OTHERS?
Many cosmetic brands label themselves as lavender although they only
contain lavender scent and not pure lavender essential oil. They are
produced from fine and spike varieties, cloned lavender, or synthetic
lavender or combinations of these scents. These products may call
themselves lavender because of their scent but they do not contain 100%
pure lavender essential oil. WHY WE DON'T USE ARTIFICIAL FRAGRANCE?
Scent can affect your mood, your memory, in fact, your entire sense of
well-being. Here are some simple ideas from Cote Lavande, part of the
comfort family, to help you use the power of scent in every day life.
Did you know that scents have been casting their spells for thousands
of years? What is it that makes aromatherapy work? Your nose knows –
now you can too.
Anthropologists speculate that as early as 7000 BC, man anointed the
body with fragrant ointments from oils and plants. The Greeks, Romans,
Egyptians and Chinese all used essential oils not only for bathing and
perfume, but for healing as well. Today, we refer to the power of
scents on our mental and physical well-being as aromatherapy.
The reason scents work (besides the fact that your olfactory nerves
connect directly with your brain, where scent impulses create virtually
instant memories) is something of a mystery. But the peace, energy or
good night's sleep that scents can bring on are little short of
miraculous.
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