Lavender

Last Updated: November 30, 2023

Lavender is a plant in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It is an aromatic plant, and its essential oil is often used in aromatherapy for relief of stress and anxiety.[3][4]

Lavender is most often used for

What is lavender?

Lavender is a plant in the Lamiaceae family. There are many types of lavender with slightly different chemical properties. Lavender has been used over several thousand years as a medicinal plant in the forms of tea, inhalational therapies, and oils to treat anxiety and stress.[3]

What are lavender’s main benefits?

Lavender is most beneficial in the treatment of anxiety, in particular subthreshold anxiety (i.e., anxiety whose symptoms are clearly present, but are not sufficient to meet the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder).[5][1][6][7]

Supplementation with oral lavender may improve sleep, decrease fatigue symptoms, and reduce stress. It could also improve heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and lower cortisol in those with anxiety.[8][1][9][7][10][11]

Lavender may also improve some of the symptoms of depression, particularly in mild cases, and may be worth considering for people who prefer not to use antidepressants.[9][12]

Another possible use is for pain management, since it seems that lavender might improve lower back pain, although this evidence is not yet conclusive.[13][14] Lavender might help to alleviate the symptoms of dysmenorrhoea, particularly pain.[15] Lavender aromatherapy can also be used to treat labor pains, although more evidence is needed to confirm this effect.[16]

Side effects of lavender are generally mild and uncommon. Prescription medications used for anxiety often have side effects that are unacceptable for many patients. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which can cause drowsiness, weight gain and sexual dysfunction, and benzodiazepines, which often cause sedation. There is also the risk of dependency and the potential for abuse with these medicines. Lavender could therefore offer an alternative treatment in mild cases.[14][5][17]

What are lavender’s main drawbacks?

Lavender appears to be safe at the recommended dose, with studies reporting very few adverse reactions, and almost no severe side effects. Possible negatives include nausea, diarrhea, and bloating, which are more frequent with oral supplementation. However, these effects are mild and transient in most cases, and lavender appears to be a well-tolerated supplement.[12][18]

How does Lavender work?

Lavender is believed to have an effect on the limbic system of the brain, which controls mood and memory. It additionally increases the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which could reduce the stress response in the body. There also seems to be an impact on the 5HT1A receptor, which has been implicated in anxiety. Reduced binding to this receptor could explain the anxiolytic effects of lavender.[3][19]

Voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCC) are thought to be related to the inappropriate stress response found in the central nervous system of those with anxiety and other mood disorders. Lavender inhibits these channels, and thus attenuates this response. Lavender also increases the amount of serotonin in the system by blocking the serotonin transporters (SERT). SERT are presynaptic receptors that move serotonin from the synapse back into the cell. Blocking these transporters leaves more extracellular serotonin available to the brain, which can improve mood and anxiety symptoms. While this mechanism is similar to the way some antidepressant medications, such as SSRIs, work, there are also some differences, and lavender has a less significant effect on overall serotonin levels than antidepressant medications.[1][20]

What else is Lavender known as?
Note that Lavender is also known as:
  • Lavandula angustafolia
  • Lavandula latifolia
  • Lavandula stoechas
  • Lavandula intermedia
  • Silexan (brand name of a particular supplement)
Dosage information

The suggested dose of oral lavender supplementation is 80–160 mg per day.[1] Supplements should contain 25% – 46% linalyl acetate and 20% – 45% linalool to have a therapeutic effect.[2]

No specific dosage has yet been determined for aromatherapy use.

Examine Database: Lavender
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References
  1. ^Dold M, Bartova L, Volz HP, Seifritz E, Möller HJ, Schläfke S, Kasper SEfficacy of Silexan in patients with anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci.(2023-Jan-30)
  2. ^Spiess D, Winker M, Chauveau A, Abegg VF, Potterat O, Hamburger M, Gründemann C, Simões-Wüst APMedicinal Plants for the Treatment of Mental Diseases in Pregnancy: An In Vitro Safety Assessment.Planta Med.(2022-Oct)
  3. ^Cavanagh HM, Wilkinson JMBiological activities of lavender essential oilPhytother Res.(2002 Jun)
  4. ^Prusinowska et alComposition, biological properties and therapeutic effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.). A reviewHerba Polonica.(2014)
  5. ^Möller HJ, Volz HP, Dienel A, Schläfke S, Kasper SEfficacy of Silexan in subthreshold anxiety: meta-analysis of randomised, placebo-controlled trials.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci.(2019-Mar)
  6. ^Donelli D, Antonelli M, Bellinazzi C, Gensini GF, Firenzuoli FEffects of lavender on anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysisPhytomedicine.(2019 Dec)
  7. ^Kang HJ, Nam ES, Lee Y, Kim MHow Strong is the Evidence for the Anxiolytic Efficacy of Lavender?: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Asian Nurs Res (Korean Soc Nurs Sci).(2019-Dec)
  8. ^Roland von Känel, Siegfried Kasper, Guido Bondolfi, Edith Holsboer-Trachsler, Josef Hättenschwiler, Martin Hatzinger, Christian Imboden, Ellen Heitlinger, Erich SeifritzTherapeutic effects of Silexan on somatic symptoms and physical health in patients with anxiety disorders: A meta-analysisBrain Behav.(2021 Feb 27)
  9. ^Myoungsuk Kim, Eun Sook Nam, Yongmi Lee, Hyun-Ju KangEffects of Lavender on Anxiety, Depression, and Physiological Parameters: Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAsian Nurs Res (Korean Soc Nurs Sci).(2021 Dec)
  10. ^Cheong MJ, Kim S, Kim JS, Lee H, Lyu YS, Lee YR, Jeon B, Kang HWA systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the clinical effects of aroma inhalation therapy on sleep problems.Medicine (Baltimore).(2021-Mar-05)
  11. ^Tina Ghavami, Mohsen Kazeminia, Fatemeh RajatiThe effect of lavender on stress in individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysisComplement Ther Med.(2022 Apr 13)
  12. ^Firoozeei TS, Feizi A, Rezaeizadeh H, Zargaran A, Roohafza HR, Karimi MThe antidepressant effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.): A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.Complement Ther Med.(2021-Jun)
  13. ^Oltean H, Robbins C, van Tulder MW, Berman BM, Bombardier C, Gagnier JJHerbal medicine for low-back pain.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2014-Dec-23)
  14. ^Kazeminia M, Abdi A, Vaisi-Raygani A, Jalali R, Shohaimi S, Daneshkhah A, Salari N, Mohammadi MThe Effect of Lavender ( L.) on Reducing Labor Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2020)
  15. ^Kani et alThe Effect of Aromatherapy (with Lavender) on Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisInt J Ped.(2019)
  16. ^Makvandi et alAn Update on the Effect of Massage and Inhalation Aromatherapy with Lavender on Labor Pain Relief: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisJ. obstet. gynecol. cancer res..(2018)
  17. ^H Woelk, S SchläfkeA multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorderPhytomedicine.(2010 Feb)
  18. ^Yap WS, Dolzhenko AV, Jalal Z, Hadi MA, Khan TMEfficacy and safety of lavender essential oil (Silexan) capsules among patients suffering from anxiety disorders: A network meta-analysisSci Rep.(2019 Dec 2)
  19. ^Malcolm BJ, Tallian KEssential oil of lavender in anxiety disorders: Ready for prime time?Ment Health Clin.(2018 Mar 26)
  20. ^López V, Nielsen B, Solas M, Ramírez MJ, Jäger AKExploring Pharmacological Mechanisms of Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil on Central Nervous System TargetsFront Pharmacol.(2017 May 19)
  21. ^Spiess D, Winker M, Dolder Behna A, Gründemann C, Simões-Wüst APAdvanced Safety Assessment of Herbal Medicines for the Treatment of Non-Psychotic Mental Disorders in Pregnancy.Front Pharmacol.(2022)
Examine Database References
  1. Restlessness - B Uehleke, S Schaper, A Dienel, S Schlaefke, R StangePhase II trial on the effects of Silexan in patients with neurasthenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or somatization disorderPhytomedicine.(2012 Jun 15)
  2. Sleep Quality - Kasper S, Gastpar M, Müller WE, Volz HP, Möller HJ, Dienel A, Schläfke SSilexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of 'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trialInt Clin Psychopharmacol.(2010 Sep)
  3. Anxiety Symptoms - J Lehrner, G Marwinski, S Lehr, P Johren, L DeeckeAmbient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental officePhysiol Behav.(2005 Sep 15)
  4. Anxiety Symptoms - Metaxia Kritsidima, Tim Newton, Koula AsimakopoulouThe effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomised-controlled trialCommunity Dent Oral Epidemiol.(2010 Feb)
  5. Anxiety Symptoms - H Woelk, S SchläfkeA multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorderPhytomedicine.(2010 Feb)
  6. Anxiety Symptoms - Möller HJ, Volz HP, Dienel A, Schläfke S, Kasper SEfficacy of Silexan in subthreshold anxiety: meta-analysis of randomised, placebo-controlled trials.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci.(2019-Mar)
  7. Anxiety Symptoms - Yap WS, Dolzhenko AV, Jalal Z, Hadi MA, Khan TMEfficacy and safety of lavender essential oil (Silexan) capsules among patients suffering from anxiety disorders: A network meta-analysisSci Rep.(2019 Dec 2)
  8. Anxiety Symptoms - Kang HJ, Nam ES, Lee Y, Kim MHow Strong is the Evidence for the Anxiolytic Efficacy of Lavender?: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Asian Nurs Res (Korean Soc Nurs Sci).(2019-Dec)
  9. Anxiety Symptoms - Dold M, Bartova L, Volz HP, Seifritz E, Möller HJ, Schläfke S, Kasper SEfficacy of Silexan in patients with anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci.(2023-Jan-30)
  10. Quality of Life - Roland von Känel, Siegfried Kasper, Guido Bondolfi, Edith Holsboer-Trachsler, Josef Hättenschwiler, Martin Hatzinger, Christian Imboden, Ellen Heitlinger, Erich SeifritzTherapeutic effects of Silexan on somatic symptoms and physical health in patients with anxiety disorders: A meta-analysisBrain Behav.(2021 Feb 27)
  11. Blood Pressure - Sayorwan W, Siripornpanich V, Piriyapunyaporn T, Hongratanaworakit T, Kotchabhakdi N, Ruangrungsi NThe effects of lavender oil inhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activityJ Med Assoc Thai.(2012 Apr)
  12. Heart Rate Variability - Li-Wei Chien, Su Li Cheng, and Chi Feng LiuThe Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on Autonomic Nervous System in Midlife Women with InsomniaEvidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.()
  13. Insomnia Signs and Symptoms - George T Lewith, Anthony Dean Godfrey, Philip PrescottA single-blinded, randomized pilot study evaluating the aroma of Lavandula augustifolia as a treatment for mild insomniaJ Altern Complement Med.(2005 Aug)
  14. Sleep Quality - Inn-Sook Lee, Gyung-Joo Lee[Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students]Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi.(2006 Feb)
  15. Sleep Quality - Mahin Moeini, Maryam Khadibi, Reza Bekhradi, Seyed Ahmad Mahmoudian, Fatemeh NazariEffect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in ischemic heart disease patients hospitalized in intensive care units of heart hospitals of the Isfahan University of Medical SciencesIran J Nurs Midwifery Res.(Fall 2010)
  16. Sleep Quality - Namni Goel, Hyungsoo Kim, Raymund P LaoAn olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and womenChronobiol Int.(2005)
  17. Cortisol - Tiffany Field, Tory Field, Christy Cullen, Shay Largie, Miguel Diego, Saul Schanberg, Cynthia KuhnLavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infantsEarly Hum Dev.(2008 Jun)
  18. Dysmenorrhea Symptoms - Apay SE, Arslan S, Akpinar RB, Celebioglu AEffect of aromatherapy massage on dysmenorrhea in Turkish studentsPain Manag Nurs.(2012 Dec)
  19. Migraine Symptoms - Sasannejad P, Saeedi M, Shoeibi A, Gorji A, Abbasi M, Foroughipour MLavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trialEur Neurol.(2012)
  20. Canker Sores Symptoms - Altaei DTTopical lavender oil for the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcerationAm J Dent.(2012 Feb)
  21. Depression Symptoms - Firoozeei TS, Feizi A, Rezaeizadeh H, Zargaran A, Roohafza HR, Karimi MThe antidepressant effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.): A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.Complement Ther Med.(2021-Jun)