A new study published in the Journal of Essential Oil Research (JEOR) analyzed 41 authentic lavender essential oil samples from trusted producers and research partners around the world. Comparing these findings to 12 commercially available samples, it was found that 9 out of 12 (75 percent) of those tested were adulterated, showing signs of potential dilution or addition of another oil as a substitute.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an aromatic shrub in the mint (Lamiaceae) family. It is native to the Mediterranean but grown throughout the world for many commercial purposes. Thanks to lavender’s pleasant and soothing aroma and its many health benefits, lavender essential oil is widely used in the aromatherapy, cosmetics, flavor, and fragrance industries. However, with such popularity and widespread demand for lavender essential oil, quality control and adulteration remain a concern.
The standard quality of lavender has been set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 3515:2002), which provides the profiles for lavender from different cultivation practices and growing regions. To conduct their research, the researchers referenced ISO 3515:2002, and using data from 41 trusted reference standards, they also established additional profile ranges and identified markers in authentic lavender.
The established authentic lavender profiles were then compared against commercially available lavender samples

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