How could climate change impact the phytochemical quality of medicinal and aromatic plants? A case study of Lavandula species products

Several Lavandula species are medicinal and aromatic plants with economic value for phytopharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and aromatherapy. The genus Lavandula has 39 species, and fine lavender oil, spike lavender oil and lavandin oil are the main ones cultivated for essential oils [ 1 ]. Fine lavender oil (i.e., Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) is the primary species due to its pharmacological properties and clinical evidence [ 2 ]. It is considered safe (GRAS) to be consumed in oral dosage or topical forms without serious adverse effects [ 1 ]. Silexan ®​ is a fine lavender oil used to treat mild anxiety [ 3 ] [ 4 ]. It can also be found as a natural health product or food supplement.The phytochemical analysis showed that 63% of products contain less or none of the active metabolites/marker compounds (e.g., 1,8-cineole, linalool, and linalyl acetate) [ 1 ]. Considerable variability was also observed between products at the times of 20.7, 46.5, and 46.8 minutes, corresponding to 1,8-cineole, linalool, and linalyl acetate, respectively [ 1 ]. Our findings show chemical composition of finished products can vary, impacting pharmacological and clinical activities [ 1 ]. However, there are core challenges and consequences associated with growing and sustaining the primary materials of Lavandula species linked to climate change, such as altered flowering patterns, increased pest pressure and diseases, water stress and drought and social and economic consequences, particularly with the potential shifts in the cultivation regions [ 5 ] ([ Fig. 1 ]). Chemical variability is linked to various factors, so understanding the potential impact of climate change on lavender product quality is crucial, both for this important medicinal crop and its products, and for the wider industry. Fig. 1 Core challenges and consequences associated with growing and sustaining the primary materials of Lavandula species linked to climate change Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany