French lavender
Lavandula stoechasThe purple “ears” on top of the spike are not flowers but coloured leaf-like bracts that attract pollinators.
What is French lavender?
French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is a plant of the Lamiaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Part used: flowering spikes.
What is French lavender used for?
Traditional use: Known as karabaş on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts; the tea is drunk for headache, nerves and cough, and the dried flowers are put in chests against moths. Scientific evidence: traditional. Calming, muscle-relaxing and antimicrobial effects have been shown in lab and animal studies.
Is French lavender safe?
Safety label: caution. Moderate amounts of tea are generally considered safe. The essential oil is rich in camphor; it must not be swallowed or applied to the faces of babies and young children, as camphor can cause seizures. Avoid in pregnancy.
Traditional use
Known as karabaş on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts; the tea is drunk for headache, nerves and cough, and the dried flowers are put in chests against moths.
The “ustukhuddus” of medieval Arab and Persian physicians, called “the broom of the brain” in old books and still used in Unani medicine in India.
In nature
Mix-up risk
True lavender (L. angustifolia) has long-stalked spikes without ears; French lavender has conspicuous purple ears on top.
Preparation
A teaspoon of dried flowers is steeped in a cup of boiling water for 5–10 minutes; no more than one or two cups a day.
What science says
Calming, muscle-relaxing and antimicrobial effects have been shown in lab and animal studies. Human studies are few; one meta-analysis reports a possible benefit of aromatherapy for labour pain, but the studies are small. Unlike true lavender (L. angustifolia), its essential oil is rich in camphor and fenchone.
Safety
Moderate amounts of tea are generally considered safe. The essential oil is rich in camphor; it must not be swallowed or applied to the faces of babies and young children, as camphor can cause seizures. Avoid in pregnancy.
Drug interactions
| Medicine or substance | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Sleeping pills and sedatives | Calming effects can add up. |
| Seizure medicines | The camphor-rich oil may lower the seizure threshold. |
This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying French lavender.
Similar plants
Sources
- ResearchA Comprehensive Review of Lavandula stoechas L. (Ustukhuddus): Phytochemistry, Pharmacology (Chem Biodivers 2025)
- ResearchMediterranean Lavenders from Section Stoechas (Metabolites 2023)
- ResearchThe Effect of Lavender (Lavandula stoechas L.) on Reducing Labor Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2020)
- BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 3. baskı (yay. haz. F. Baytop Günergun). Ankara: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 2021.
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Lavandula stoechas
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe