GradedHealth

Lavender

Last reviewed October 2026 · Based on 17 studies

Bottom line

Oral lavender oil capsules (Silexan) reduced anxiety more than placebo in several trials, and sleep improved along with anxiety. Several key trials had authors employed by the maker. Inhaled lavender has weaker evidence, and side effects were mild in trials.

What it helps with

  • Eases anxiety — Benefit, evidence grade B (Moderate). Several placebo-controlled RCTs and two meta-analyses of oral Silexan, consistent in direction; downgraded once for industry-linked authorship.
  • Helps you sleep better — Benefit, evidence grade C (Limited). Sleep was a secondary outcome in the anxiety trials, and the sleep gain was mediated by anxiety; downgraded for indirectness and industry-linked authorship.
  • Eases low mood with anxiety — Benefit, evidence grade C (Limited). Trial and pooled analysis in mixed anxiety-depression; depression was a secondary target and the analysis is linked to the maker; downgraded for indirectness and industry-linked authorship.
  • Eases anxiety when breathed in — Benefit, evidence grade C (Limited). Meta-analysis of 37 RCTs with low average quality and high risk of bias; downgraded for inconsistency and high risk of bias.
  • Helps older adults sleep when breathed in — Benefit, evidence grade C (Limited). Systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 small trials in older adults with very high heterogeneity; downgraded for inconsistency and small trials.
  • Does not cause withdrawal or abuse — No effect, evidence grade C (Limited). Two small RCTs (one follow-up phase, one with 34 evaluable users); downgraded for small size and industry-linked authorship.

What it is

The best-studied oral form is Silexan, a standardised oil from Lavandula angustifolia taken as a capsule [1].

How it might work

A PET study in healthy men found Silexan reduced binding at the serotonin-1A receptor, which may relate to its anxiolytic effect [2]. Its sleep effect appears to run mostly through lower anxiety [3].

What the research says

A pooled analysis of five placebo-controlled trials with 1,213 adults found Silexan reduced anxiety more than placebo over 10 weeks [4]. In 925 adults with generalised anxiety, 160 mg a day was superior to placebo [5]. In 212 adults, sleep improved more with Silexan than with placebo [3]. A meta-analysis of inhaled lavender found a moderate anxiety reduction, but the studies were of low average quality [6].

Doses used in studies

Trials used 80 mg a day for 10 weeks [1] and 160 mg a day in generalised anxiety [5]. A six-week comparison with lorazepam used Silexan at the same schedule [7]. Inhaled lavender regimens varied widely [6].

Safety and interactions

Eructation (burping) was the only side effect substantially more common than placebo in one trial [8]. Withdrawal did not occur after abrupt stop [9]. No interaction with a combined oral contraceptive was found in 24 women [10]. No pregnancy, breastfeeding or upper-limit data were found in the studies read.

Caveats and open questions

Several key trials had authors employed by the maker [11]. The results may not apply to other lavender oil products [11]. Inhaled-oil trials are of low average quality [6].

References

  1. Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of 'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial.. Int Clin Psychopharmacol, 2010.
  2. Effects of Silexan on the serotonin-1A receptor and microstructure of the human brain: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over study with molecular and structural neuroimaging.. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol, 2014.
  3. Beneficial effects of Silexan on sleep are mediated by its anxiolytic effect.. J Psychiatr Res, 2019.
  4. Efficacy of Silexan in patients with anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci, 2023.
  5. Silexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the therapeutic dosage range in a pooled data set.. Int Clin Psychopharmacol, 2017.
  6. Effects of lavender on anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis.. Phytomedicine, 2019.
  7. A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder.. Phytomedicine, 2010.
  8. Efficacy of Silexan in mixed anxiety-depression--A randomized, placebo-controlled trial.. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol, 2016.
  9. Silexan does not cause withdrawal symptoms even when abruptly discontinued.. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract, 2017.
  10. No interacting influence of lavender oil preparation silexan on oral contraception using an ethinyl estradiol/levonorgestrel combination.. Drugs R D, 2014.
  11. Efficacy of Silexan in subthreshold anxiety: meta-analysis of randomised, placebo-controlled trials.. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci, 2019.