Lavender Oil
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 830 participants, researched for Anxiety Treatment, Sleep Quality, Pain & Clinical Applications and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Anxiety Treatment
ModerateSleep Quality
StrongPain & Clinical Applications
StrongDepression & Mood
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Anxiety Treatment
To evaluate oral lavender oil (Silexan) on generalised anxiety disorder
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate oral lavender oil (Silexan) on generalised anxiety disorder
Dose
80 mg/day Silexan oral lavender oil capsule
Participants
221 patients with generalised anxiety disorder
Duration
10 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in HAM-A total scores vs placebo (p<0.01). Response rate 40.7% vs 27.2% placebo. Sleep quality also significantly improved. No sedation.
How They Measured It
Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), PSQI, PHQ-9
To compare Silexan (lavender oil) with lorazepam for generalised anxiety
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, active-controlled
Purpose
To compare Silexan (lavender oil) with lorazepam for generalised anxiety
Dose
80 mg/day Silexan vs lorazepam 0.5 mg/day
Participants
77 adults with GAD
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Silexan as effective as lorazepam in reducing HAM-A scores (both groups p<0.001). Silexan showed no sedation or dependence risk. Non-inferior alternative to benzodiazepine.
How They Measured It
Hamilton Anxiety Scale, CGI, Boerner Anxiety Checklist
To assess the efficacy and safety of oral lavender oil (Silexan) for anxiety
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To assess the efficacy and safety of oral lavender oil (Silexan) for anxiety
Dose
80 mg/day Silexan
Participants
Meta-analysis of available RCTs
Duration
6-10 weeks
Results
Significant anxiolytic effect vs placebo (SMD -0.49). Safe and well-tolerated with no sedation or withdrawal effects. Comparable to pharmaceutical anxiolytics.
How They Measured It
HAM-A, STAI across RCTs
Sleep Quality
To evaluate oral Silexan on insomnia symptoms and sleep quality
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate oral Silexan on insomnia symptoms and sleep quality
Dose
80 mg/day Silexan
Participants
170 patients with insomnia
Duration
10 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in ISI scores (p<0.01) and PSQI. Sleep efficiency improved. State anxiety reduced. Effective for insomnia comorbid with anxiety.
How They Measured It
Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), PSQI, STAI
To assess inhaled lavender oil on sleep quality in college students
Study Type
Randomised, controlled, crossover
Purpose
To assess inhaled lavender oil on sleep quality in college students
Dose
Lavender aromatherapy inhalation 30 min before bed
Participants
31 young adults with self-reported poor sleep
Duration
5 weeks crossover
Results
Significant improvement in sleep quality (PSQI), daytime energy, and mood during lavender phase. Women showed greater benefit. Inhaled lavender effective for mild sleep difficulties.
How They Measured It
PSQI, actigraphy, sleep diary, mood measures
Pain & Clinical Applications
To evaluate lavender oil aromatherapy for post-operative pain management
Study Type
Randomised, controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate lavender oil aromatherapy for post-operative pain management
Dose
Inhalation of 2% lavender oil for 5 min every 30 min
Participants
54 post-operative patients
Duration
Immediate post-operative period
Results
Significant reduction in pain scores and morphine use in lavender group (p=0.04). Anxiety also reduced. Patient satisfaction higher. Adjunctive analgesic effect demonstrated.
How They Measured It
Pain VAS, morphine consumption, anxiety scores
To evaluate lavender aromatherapy for dysmenorrhoea (menstrual pain)
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate lavender aromatherapy for dysmenorrhoea (menstrual pain)
Dose
Abdominal lavender oil massage with 2% dilution
Participants
48 students with primary dysmenorrhoea
Duration
2 menstrual cycles
Results
Significant reduction in pain severity (VAS) and duration of pain vs placebo massage. NSAIDs use reduced. Lavender demonstrated therapeutic benefit for menstrual pain.
How They Measured It
Pain VAS, duration of pain, NSAIDs consumption
Depression & Mood
To evaluate Silexan on mixed anxiety-depression disorder
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Silexan on mixed anxiety-depression disorder
Dose
80 mg/day Silexan
Participants
318 patients with mixed anxiety-depression
Duration
10 weeks
Results
Significant reductions in both anxiety (HAM-A) and depression (PHQ-9) vs placebo (both p<0.01). Quality of life improved. Dual anxiolytic-antidepressant effect confirmed.
How They Measured It
PHQ-9, HAM-A, HAM-D, quality of life
To assess lavender aromatherapy on anxiety in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess lavender aromatherapy on anxiety in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Dose
Lavender aromatherapy inhalation during chemotherapy
Participants
160 cancer patients
Duration
Throughout treatment
Results
Significant reduction in state anxiety (STAI) and psychological distress during lavender aromatherapy sessions vs control. Quality of life improved.
How They Measured It
STAI, GHQ-28, VAS anxiety
To summarize evidence for lavender oil (Silexan and aromatherapy) on anxiety and sleep
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To summarize evidence for lavender oil (Silexan and aromatherapy) on anxiety and sleep
Dose
Various
Participants
Systematic review of clinical trials
Duration
Various
Results
Strong evidence for Silexan (oral) anxiolytic efficacy comparable to anxiolytics. Aromatherapy shows consistent but more modest benefits for anxiety and sleep. Excellent safety profile.
How They Measured It
Systematic review across indications
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lavender Oil research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia), involving 830 total participants. Research covers Anxiety reduction, Sleep quality, Mood enhancement and 2 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (10 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Lavender Oil has been researched for: Anxiety reduction, Sleep quality, Mood enhancement, Pain relief, Stress relief. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 10 out of 10 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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