Herb
Spike Lavender
D tier
Spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) is broad-leaf, high-camphor Mediterranean lavender used historically in liniments and harsh soaps—not in shortbread. The scent is medicinal and piercing compared with English lavender. Keep out of dessert recipes. Historical medicinal interest only for most modern cooks.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
Avoid BakingHistoric MedicinalNon-Food
Traits
Broad LeafCamphorHigh CamphorMedicinal HistoricMedicinal SharpNon-CulinaryNot Culinary
History
ES
Iberian and Mediterranean peoples used spike lavender in practical and medicinal contexts.
ES
Spike lavender oil entered European pharmacopoeias.
Industrial soap still used spike and lavandin for cheap sharp fragrance.
Culinary sources explicitly excluded spike lavender from edible flower lists.