Lavender
Lavender is an aromatic shrub of the mint family from the Mediterranean region. Its flowers and the essential oil distilled from them are used in herbal products.
Also listed as Lavender Extract, Lavender Flower, Lavender Flower Extract, Organic Lavender
What did oral-oil trials find?
A 2019 review found that Silexan, studied at 80 mg daily for at least six weeks, improved anxiety scores compared with placebo. The pooled difference was 2.9 points on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. The review also found widespread study-quality problems across the lavender literature. 1
What about the scent and sleep?
Inhalation studies suggested anxiety relief, but their methods varied substantially. Massage studies could not clearly separate the oil from the massage itself. NCCIH considers aromatherapy evidence for sleep and insomnia unclear. 1 2
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Stress & Mood4 effects
Sleep3 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
All studies
9 publications are linked to Lavender, newest first.
Sources
- Lavender NCCIH