stoechas L. L. Labiatæ Lavandula is derived from the Latin lavare, to wash, and was probably the lavender so extensively used in classical times by the Romans and the Libyans, as for the bath. 'Stoechas' is the ancient Greek name for some islands off the Marseilles coast, where this is abundant.

Arabic: Halhal, moqif rwah, astuhudus, meharga. - - - - Berber: Amezzir, timerza, imezzir. English: Spanish lavender (in America), French Compiled by: Dr. Driss Lamnauer lavender (in ), Italian lavender, top lavender Edited by: Prof. Kamal Batanouny French: lavande stoechade, lavande papillon, lavande stéchas, lavande à toupet Morphological description An evergreen from 1/2-1 m. tall (depends upon subspecies or ). The narrow, linear, stalkless are untoothed, with (rolled) Ecology margins, covered with a fine grey down, usually L. stoechas is native to dry hills, , maquis, or giving a grey-green overall appearance. The habit is open woodlands, on limestone or granite soils, stiffly branched and more open than other species often among rockroses. This almost year-round of Lavandula. The stalk (peduncle) is usually bloomer has a long history of cultivation. Heat shorter than the flower spike (in L. stoechas subsp. tolerance: good. Sun exposure: full sun. Watering stoechas) but is often longer as in L. stoechas needs: little water when established. Propagation: atlantica and L. stoechas pedunculata and seeds, stem cuttings in summer of half ripened derived from these. The squarish flower spike is shoots with heels. composed of closely set fertile that house the corollas (actual ) and is topped by a tuft of Status large, showy, sterile bracts, which are the more Not an IUCN threatened species. conspicuous part of the . L. stoechas Otto Quast is a usual cultivar. Part used L. stoechas pedunculata Atlas: From the Atlas The flowering tips, dried flowers gathered just Mountains in Morocco, this lavender grows to before fully unfolding, leaves. about 3ft, x 3ft; it is similar to L. stoechas Otto Quast, but is taller, more upright and with narrower Constituents leaves and longer and thinner flower spikes of L. stoechas collected in Morocco was studied for its smaller plum-purple bracts, which appear between content. The yields were from 0.9 to spring and autumn. 1.4 depending on the region of collection. Fenchone L. stoechas atlantica: A Marrocan endemic, closely and represent 47 to 84.3 %; one or the related to L. stoechas pedunculata, is usually found other compound may be dominant depending on growing at high altitudes on calcareous soils. the sample’s origin. The other constituents are Compact in form, with long peduncles and comas alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, camphene, , (tuft of sterile bracts), this is quite a spectacular . para-cymene, linalol, borneol, borneol acetate, carvacrol, iso-eugenol, iso-eugenol-methylether. The Geographical distribution sample from Idni (High Atlas) gave a good yield Global: Southwest Europe, the Near East and after distillation (1.4 %) and have high levels of North . camphor (72.8 %). They may be used as a source of

A Guide to Medicinal in North Africa 171 natural camphor. The essential oil composition is Actions: It is reported to be analgesic, antibacterial qualitatively similar to that found in other Mediter- (in vitro), anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antiflatu- ranean countries. lent, antihyperglycaemic (oil), antihypertensive The roots of L. stoechas ssp. stoechas from Turkey (animal studies), antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispas- were investigated and afforded triterpenes: 18- modic, carminative, cholagogic, diuretic, emmena- hydroxy-27-norolean-12,14-dien-30-al-28-oic acid, gogic, a flavoring agent, an , a mild 3beta-hydroxy-1-oxo-olean-12-ene-30-al-28-oic sedative, a perfume, rubefacient (oil), sedative, spas- acid, 16beta-hydroxylupeol-3-O-palmitate, 16 beta- molytic, stimulant, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, hydroxylupeol-3-O-myristate, 11-oxo-beta-amyrin, uterine stimulant and vermifuge. monogynol A cis-coumaryl , monogynol A trans Toxicity: Large doses of the essential oil are consid- coumaryl ester, 18-hydroxy-27-norolean-12,14-dien- ered to be a narcotic poison. Contrary to common 30-al-28-oic acid and 3 beta-hydroxy-1-oxo-olean- belief, any essential oil including lavender must not 12-ene-30-al-28-oic acid, aromatics : cis-4-O- be used neat (undiluted). Oil can cause dermatitis. L. methyl caffeic acid octanol ester and trans-4-O- stoechas oil is said to be more toxic than other methyl caffeic acid octanol ester, and two steroids. lavenders-so use cautiously. Use oil under supervi- sion only. L. stoechas oil should be contraindicated Pharmacological action and in babies, children, and pregnant women. toxicity Drug interactions: Due to the diuretic action of Lavender's popularity in aromatherapy means that this the following drug interactions are most people are aware of its relaxing and sedative possible: may potentiate other diuretics and effects. Results of several studies support its efficacy increase the risk of hypokalemia. When taken with as a relaxant. Researchers tested the sedative prop- corticosteroids there is a risk of hypokalemia; if erties of lavender essential oil and its main hypokalemia occurs, there is possible antagonism constituents, and linalyl acetate, on mice. with antiarrhythmics and potentiation of muscle After inhaling lavender essential oil, the activity relaxants; there is increased risk of toxicity with levels of the mice, previously injected with caffeine anti-inflammatory analgesics; it antagonises antidia- to induce hyperactivity, returned to near-normal betic (hypoglycaemic) drugs; and it may potentiate levels. Also it was shown that aqueous-methanolic and/or interfere with antihypertensives. extract of L. stoechas flowers (600-mg./kg. dose) Due to the antihypertensive (hypotensive) action of exhibited anti-convulsant and anti-spasmodic activi- this herb the following interactions are possible: ties in laboratory mice. Another study reported When taken with anesthetics, an increased hypoten- results of a test of lavender essential oil's local sive effect can occur, as it potentiates antihyperten- anaesthetic activity. A lesser-known application for sives; when taken with diuretic drugs, difficulty with lavender essential oil is pain relief. It has tradition- diuresis and hypertension may result (antagonism of ally been used on bee stings and burns. There have sympathomimetics). been several studies evaluating lavender's anti- septic, healing and pain-relieving properties. and local The insecticidal activities of essential oil extracts knowledge from leaves and flowers of L. stoechas and other The main uses all around Morocco of L. stoechas in aromatic plants against fourth-instar mosquito a decoction are for : catarrh of the upper respiratory larvae were determined. Pure components (1,8- tract, sneezing, cough, asthma, bronchitis, and all cineole, menthone, linalool, terpineol, carvacrol, colds (rheumatism, lumbago, etc.). A decoction may thymol, (1S)-(-)-alpha-pinene and (1R)-(+)-alpha- also be used for abdominal pain. A decoction of the pinene) were tested on the larvae. Thymol, flowering tips (two tablespoons in about 0.5 litres carvacrol, (1R)-(+)-alpha-pinene and (1S)-(-)-alpha- of water) is drunk hot once a day. The flowers may pinene were the most toxic (LC50 = 36-49 mg. also be smoked alone or with Tobacco. litre-1), while menthone, 1,8-cineole, linalool and In Marrakech, the mixture of one teaspoon of the terpineol (LC50 = 156-194 mg litre-1) were less powder of: L. stoechas, Rosmarinus officinalis, toxic. thymus ciliatus, Artemisia herba alba, Mentha

172 A Guide to in North Africa pulegium, Corrigolia telephiifolia is macerated in a fectants, and insecticides is extracted from this glass of water for about 5 minutes and filtered. The lavender. filtrate is then given orally to babies suffering from gastro-intestinal disorders. References The plant may be applied to wounds and contu- Bellakhdar, J., Berrada, M., Denier, C., Holman, M. sions as a vulnerary. In the Middle Atlas L. stoechas and Il Idrissi, A., 1997. Etude comparative de is used to aromatize the Lben (skim milk). 10 populations de Lavandula stoechas L. Du An infusion of flowering tips is used as a tonic, Maroc. Proceedings du Congrès International resolvent, stomachic, vulnerary, for headache, for “Plantes aromatiques et médicinales et leurs cases of irritability, epilepsy, blenorrahagia, and as huiles essentielles”. Actes Editions de l’IAV; diaphoretic, pectoral, diuretic, antispasmodic and Rabat. antirhumatic. Topcu, G., Ayral, M.N., Aydin, A., Goren, A.C., Chai, History: Used for its aromatic qualities by Greeks H.B., Pezzuto, J.M., 2001. Triterpenoids of the and Romans, lavender has scented washing water roots of Lavandula stoechas ssp. stoechas. and baths ever since the Romans named it after Pharmazie, 56. pp. 892-5. lavare, to wash. Lavandula vera is known as “el Goren, A., Topcu, G., Bilsel, G., Bilsel, M., khzama” in Morocco, where the dried flowers are Aydogmus, Z. and Pezzuto, J.M., 2002. The che- an important ingredient in a herb and spice mixture mical constituents and biological activity of known as “top of the shop.” Ancient Egyptians essential oil of Lavandula stoechas ssp. stoe- created mummification casts that would last indefi- chas. Z Naturforsch, 57. pp. 797-800. nitely by soaking linen in oil of lavender containing Ulubelen, A. and Olcay, Y., 1989. Triterpenoids from asphalt, wrapping the bodies with this and drying Lavandula stoechas subsp. stoechas. them in the sun until the casts were hard. Fitoterapia, 60. pp. 475-476. Diseases: It is used for catarrh of the upper respi- Ulubelen, A., Goren, N. and Olcay, Y., 1988. ratory tract, sneezing, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, Longipinene derivatives from Lavandula stoe- rheumatism, lumbago, abdominal pain, gastro-intes- chas subsp. stoechas. , 27. pp. tinal affections headache, irritability, epilepsy 3966-3967. blenorrahagia; Buchbauer, G., Jirovetz, L. and Jager, W.,. 1991. Used as resolvent, stomachic, vulnerary, diaphoretic, Aromatherapy: Evidence for sedative effects of pectoral, diuretic, antispasmodic and antirhumatic. the essential oil of lavender after inhalation. Z. Other indications: Abdominal distension, anxiety, Naturforsch, 46. pp. 1067-72. colic, common cold, cough, depression, depressive Dale, A. and Cornwell, S., 1994. The role of lavender headache, exhaustion, flatulent indigestion, oil in relieving perineal discomfort following gastritis, hyperglycemia, hypertension, inappetence, childbirth: A blind randomized trial. J. Adv. , migraine, nausea, neuralgia, restlessness, Nursing, 19. pp. 89-96. stress, toothache, vomiting. Topical Oil: Acne, burns, Bellakhdar, J., 1997. La pharmacopée marocaine rheumatic pain, sores, stings. traditionnelle. Médecine arabe ancienne et savoirs populaires. IBIS Press. 318 p. Other uses of the plant Boulos, L., 1983. Medicinal plants of north Africa. (Ethnobotany) Reference Publications, Inc. pp. 100-101 All the forms of lavender are much visited by bees Tisserand, R. and Balacs, T., 1995. Essential Oil and are a good source of . Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. French oil, used for air fresheners, deodorants, disin- Edinburgh, UK: Churchill Livingstone. 65 p.

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