Why do botanical names matter?
The chemicals that naturally make up a plant can differ even when the plant looks and smells similar.
We use the common name for plants and flowers we know, but that might not be enough to identify an essential oil. Several species of the same plant can have one common name.
Lavender, for example, is the common name for at least five different plant varieties. Knowing which plant the essential oil comes from is vital in understanding some of its characteristics and benefits.
Each plant has some similarities; however, there will be enough differences to significantly change how they are applied or used in an aromatherapy product.
Chemical Chemotype:
Some plants, like sweet oranges, are the same no matter where they grow in the world. Minimal variation is detected regardless of country of origin
Thyme
Thyme grown in different parts of the world or geographical locations within the same country can have very different chemistry. In that case, the plant's Latin name will be followed by which chemotype it is, which will help identify it and make it easy to choose the right oil for the right product.
Safety considerations for some chemotypes can set them apart from others in the same plant family.
Rosemary
Rosemary with a camphor chemotype will smell and react very differently on the skin than Rosemary with a verbenone chemotype. If both are just labelled "Rosemary Essential oil", there will be no way of knowing in advance when you grab a bottle to use
Understanding the origin of your essential oil and what benefits and limitations it can have in your applications is a matter of safety.
Lavender
Lavender Angustifolia comes with minimal health warnings. In contrast, Spike lavender is not recommended for children under five due to its chemical composition. Both would commonly be referred to as "Lavender".
When identifying the proper botanical name of a plant used in aromatherapy, typically the Latin name is used, the first word is the Genus, and it will be in capitals, then the species follows in lower case. The full name should be in italics.
Avoiding the exploitation and misuse of oils produced from endangered plants helps to preserve nature and the environment it comes from.
Knowing the botanical name of a plant is also essential from the conservation and sustainability point of view. Certain plants are endangered or on the list of semi-endangered species. This also has implications for the native population of that area and further economic and sometimes political consequences.
