Lavender

What Is Lavender?

Lavender is a small aromatic shrub of the Mediterranean, grown for its fragrant purple flower spikes and the essential oil distilled from them. Herbalists use it as a calming nervine, a remedy for a nervous stomach, and a skin application for bites, burns and minor wounds.

Lavandula angustifolia is native to the Mediterranean region and is cultivated there and elsewhere for lavender oil ^{35,36Reference 35North Carolina State University ExtensioLavandula angustifolia (English lavender) — plant profile — NC State Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxView study →Reference 36HedgeHedge, I. C. Lavandula angustifolia Mill. — species description and distribution — flora. In Flora of Pakistan, Labiatae. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200019757View study →}. Despite the name “English lavender”, it is not native to England; the name reflects its popularity in English gardens ^{35Reference 35North Carolina State University ExtensioLavandula angustifolia (English lavender) — plant profile — NC State Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxView study →}.

The oil is rich in linalool and linalyl acetate ^{32Reference 32ISO 3515:2002 · 2002Oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.)}. An oral capsule of the oil, sold as Silexan, has been tested for anxiety in several placebo-controlled trials ^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7Reference 1Kasper et al. · 2010RCTSilexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of ‘subsyndromal’ anxiety disorder — randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialView study →Reference 2Kasper et al. · 2014RCTLavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineView study →Reference 3Woelk et al. · 2010RCTA multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder — randomized controlled trialView study →Reference 4Kasper et al. · 2016RCTEfficacy of Silexan in mixed anxiety–depression — a randomized, placebo-controlled trialView study →Reference 5Kasper et al. · 2017RCTSilexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the therapeutic dosage range in a pooled data set — randomized controlled trialView study →Reference 6Yap et al. · 2019Meta-analysisEfficacy and safety of lavender essential oil (Silexan) capsules among patients suffering from anxiety disorders — network meta-analysisView study →Reference 7Dold et al. · 2023Meta-analysisEfficacy of Silexan in patients with anxiety disorders — a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trialsView study →}.

Several other lavenders are grown for oil. Spike lavender (L. latifolia) and the hybrid lavandin (L. × intermedia) carry more camphor and 1,8-cineole than true lavender ^{33Reference 33Cavanagh et al. · 2002ReviewBiological activities of lavender essential oil — review}.

How Is Lavender Used?

Lavender is taken as a tea or tincture, inhaled or applied as essential oil, and swallowed as a standardized oil capsule.

• Dried flower tea — a mild evening infusion for tension, restlessness and sleep, and for a bloated, uneasy stomach.
• Tincture or 1:2 liquid extract — the Western herbal preparations of the flower.
• Essential oil, inhaled — in aromatherapy for sleep and relaxation ^{12,13Reference 12Shen et al. · 2026Meta-analysisThe sleep-enhancing effect of lavender essential oil in adults — a systematic review and meta-analysisView study →Reference 13Xu et al. · 2024Meta-analysisEffects of aromatherapy on sleep quality in older adults — a meta-analysisView study →}.
• Essential oil, applied — diluted on the skin for insect bites, rashes, burns and minor wounds.
• Oral lavender-oil capsules — the standardized preparation Silexan, 80–160 mg/day, used for anxiety ^{1,2,5Reference 1Kasper et al. · 2010RCTSilexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of ‘subsyndromal’ anxiety disorder — randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialView study →Reference 2Kasper et al. · 2014RCTLavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineView study →Reference 5Kasper et al. · 2017RCTSilexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the therapeutic dosage range in a pooled data set — randomized controlled trialView study →}.

Traditional Uses

Western Herbal Medicine

The part used is the flower, the dried flowering spike, taken as an infusion or a tincture, or distilled to an essential oil.

Western practice treats lavender first as a nervine. It is given for nervous tension, restlessness, anxiety, tension headache and insomnia, usually as a mild evening tea or as a few drops of oil.

Its second use is as a carminative, for bloating, wind and colic. Western herbalism treats this as a nervous stomach, the same tension expressed in the gut.

The third use is topical: the oil is applied to burns, insect bites, rashes and minor wounds as an antiseptic and a healing agent. It is also used for period pain and premenstrual tension.

Indications

• Anxiety and nervous tension [oral lavender-oil capsule; flower tea and tincture]
• Sleep problems linked to anxiety [oral lavender-oil capsule; inhaled oil] ⚠Caution: In the capsule trials, sleep improved almost entirely as a result of reduced anxiety. The aromatherapy trials are small and of limited quality ^11,12.
• Low mood that comes with anxiety [oral lavender-oil capsule] ⚠Caution: The trials were in people with anxiety. There is no trial in major depression as the main diagnosis ^4,10.
• Tension headache and restlessness [flower; Western herbal use]
• Bloating, wind and colic [flower; Western herbal use]
• Period pain and premenstrual tension [flower and oil; Western herbal use]
• Insect bites, rashes, sunburn and minor burns [essential oil, applied]
• Minor skin infections [essential oil, applied]

Botany

Lavender is a small, bushy shrub in the mint family (Lamiaceae), usually 30–60 cm tall and 60–90 cm wide in gardens ^{35Reference 35North Carolina State University ExtensioLavandula angustifolia (English lavender) — plant profile — NC State Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxView study →}. It can reach 1–1.5 m ^{36Reference 36HedgeHedge, I. C. Lavandula angustifolia Mill. — species description and distribution — flora. In Flora of Pakistan, Labiatae. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200019757View study →}. Its stems are square and hairy ^{35Reference 35North Carolina State University ExtensioLavandula angustifolia (English lavender) — plant profile — NC State Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxView study →}.

The leaves are narrow and linear, up to 5 cm long and 2–5 mm wide, with rolled-under edges. They are grey-green and covered in tiny star-shaped hairs ^{35,36,37Reference 35North Carolina State University ExtensioLavandula angustifolia (English lavender) — plant profile — NC State Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxView study →Reference 36HedgeHedge, I. C. Lavandula angustifolia Mill. — species description and distribution — flora. In Flora of Pakistan, Labiatae. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200019757View study →Reference 37LiW., & Hedge, IView study →}.

The flowers grow in whorls of six to ten, gathered into a spike about 2–5 cm long at the end of a long bare stalk. The calyx is tubular and 13-ribbed. The corolla is two-lipped, 8–12 mm long, and blue-purple, though pink and white forms are grown ^{35,36,37Reference 35North Carolina State University ExtensioLavandula angustifolia (English lavender) — plant profile — NC State Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxView study →Reference 36HedgeHedge, I. C. Lavandula angustifolia Mill. — species description and distribution — flora. In Flora of Pakistan, Labiatae. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200019757View study →Reference 37LiW., & Hedge, IView study →}. It flowers in summer ^{35,37Reference 35North Carolina State University ExtensioLavandula angustifolia (English lavender) — plant profile — NC State Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxView study →Reference 37LiW., & Hedge, IView study →}.

Distribution

Lavender grows wild in the Mediterranean region, including France, Italy and Spain, and is cultivated there for its oil ^{35,36Reference 35North Carolina State University ExtensioLavandula angustifolia (English lavender) — plant profile — NC State Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxView study →Reference 36HedgeHedge, I. C. Lavandula angustifolia Mill. — species description and distribution — flora. In Flora of Pakistan, Labiatae. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200019757View study →}. It is grown as an ornamental and aromatic plant in many other parts of the world, including China ^{36,37Reference 36HedgeHedge, I. C. Lavandula angustifolia Mill. — species description and distribution — flora. In Flora of Pakistan, Labiatae. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=200019757View study →Reference 37LiW., & Hedge, IView study →}.

It needs full sun and very well-drained, rather dry, neutral to alkaline soil, and tolerates sandy and shallow rocky ground ^{35Reference 35North Carolina State University ExtensioLavandula angustifolia (English lavender) — plant profile — NC State Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxView study →}.

Growing Conditions

Cultivation snapshot for Lavender

Lifesemi-woody perennial subshrubSunfull sun

ZoneUSDA 5–9 ^{35Reference 35North Carolina State University ExtensioLavandula angustifolia (English lavender) — plant profile — NC State Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxView study →}.

Waterdry to medium; well-drained, alkaline soil is essential — root rot is the main failure mode in wet conditions.

Habitbenefits from a spring shape-prune and a hard cutback (to ~8”) every 3 years to control size and promote vigorous new growth.

Grow it yourself

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Pharmacology & Research

Most of the human research on lavender concerns one preparation, Silexan, a standardized oral capsule of steam-distilled Lavandula angustifolia oil taken at 80–160 mg/day ^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7Reference 1Kasper et al. · 2010RCTSilexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of ‘subsyndromal’ anxiety disorder — randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialView study →Reference 2Kasper et al. · 2014RCTLavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineView study →Reference 3Woelk et al. · 2010RCTA multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder — randomized controlled trialView study →Reference 4Kasper et al. · 2016RCTEfficacy of Silexan in mixed anxiety–depression — a randomized, placebo-controlled trialView study →Reference 5Kasper et al. · 2017RCTSilexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the therapeutic dosage range in a pooled data set — randomized controlled trialView study →Reference 6Yap et al. · 2019Meta-analysisEfficacy and safety of lavender essential oil (Silexan) capsules among patients suffering from anxiety disorders — network meta-analysisView study →Reference 7Dold et al. · 2023Meta-analysisEfficacy of Silexan in patients with anxiety disorders — a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trialsView study →}.

A 2023 meta-analysis pooled the five placebo-controlled trials at 80 mg/day (1,213 patients) in subthreshold anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder and mixed anxiety and depression ^{7Reference 7Dold et al. · 2023Meta-analysisEfficacy of Silexan in patients with anxiety disorders — a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trialsView study →}. In head-to-head trials Silexan matched lorazepam ^{3Reference 3Woelk et al. · 2010RCTA multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder — randomized controlled trialView study →} and outperformed placebo in a trial where paroxetine only showed a trend ^{2Reference 2Kasper et al. · 2014RCTLavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineView study →}. It caused no withdrawal symptoms when stopped abruptly ^{8Reference 8Gastpar et al. · 2017RCTSilexan does not cause withdrawal symptoms even when abruptly discontinued — randomized controlled trialView study →}.

Sleep, mood, pain, spasm, microbial and neuroprotective effects rest on inhaled aromatherapy trials, or on animal and in-vitro work with the oil and with linalool and linalyl acetate ^{11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22Reference 11Seifritz et al. · 2022ReviewEffect of the anxiolytic drug silexan on sleep — a narrative reviewView study →Reference 12Shen et al. · 2026Meta-analysisThe sleep-enhancing effect of lavender essential oil in adults — a systematic review and meta-analysisView study →Reference 13Xu et al. · 2024Meta-analysisEffects of aromatherapy on sleep quality in older adults — a meta-analysisView study →Reference 14Baldinger et al. · 2014RCTEffects of Silexan on the serotonin-1A receptor and microstructure of the human brain — a randomized, placebo-controlled PET studyView study →Reference 15López et al. · 2017In vitroExploring pharmacological mechanisms of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil on central nervous system targets — in vitroView study →Reference 16Chioca et al. · 2013AnimalAnxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation in mice: participation of serotonergic but not GABA-A/benzodiazepine neurotransmission — animal modelView study →Reference 17Peana et al. · 2002AnimalAnti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oils — rat modelView study →Reference 18Peana et al. · 2006AnimalInvolvement of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in (−)-linalool-induced antinociception — animal modelView study →Reference 19Peana et al. · 2004AnimalEffects of (−)-linalool in the acute hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, L-glutamate and prostaglandin E2 — rat modelView study →Reference 20Koto et al. · 2006In vitroLinalyl acetate as a major ingredient of lavender essential oil relaxes the rabbit/rat smooth muscle — in vitro/animal modelView study →Reference 21Lis-Balchin et al. · 1999In vitroStudies on the mode of action of the essential oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) — in vitro smooth-muscle studyView study →Reference 22Xu et al. · 2016AnimalProtective effect of lavender oil on scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits in mice — animal modelView study →}.

1. Anxiety

Silexan at 80 mg/day beat placebo on the Hamilton Anxiety scale in 221 adults with subthreshold (“not otherwise specified”) anxiety over ten weeks. Response rates were 76.9% against 49.1%, and sleep quality improved as well ^{1Reference 1Kasper et al. · 2010RCTSilexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of ‘subsyndromal’ anxiety disorder — randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialView study →}.

In 539 adults with generalized anxiety disorder, 80 and 160 mg/day both beat placebo over ten weeks, while 20 mg/day of paroxetine showed only a trend in the main analysis ^{2Reference 2Kasper et al. · 2014RCTLavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineView study →}. In a six-week trial against lorazepam, anxiety scores fell by a similar amount on both (45% and 46%) ^{3Reference 3Woelk et al. · 2010RCTA multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder — randomized controlled trialView study →}.

A pooled analysis of 925 patients with generalized anxiety disorder found 160 mg/day superior to placebo on every outcome, and suggested that 80 mg/day is the lower end of the effective range ^{5Reference 5Kasper et al. · 2017RCTSilexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the therapeutic dosage range in a pooled data set — randomized controlled trialView study →}.

A 2019 network meta-analysis and a 2023 meta-analysis of the five placebo-controlled trials both confirmed the anxiety-reducing effect ^{6,7Reference 6Yap et al. · 2019Meta-analysisEfficacy and safety of lavender essential oil (Silexan) capsules among patients suffering from anxiety disorders — network meta-analysisView study →Reference 7Dold et al. · 2023Meta-analysisEfficacy of Silexan in patients with anxiety disorders — a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trialsView study →}. Silexan also reduced the physical symptoms of anxiety ^{9Reference 9von Känel et al. · 2021Meta-analysisTherapeutic effects of Silexan on somatic symptoms and physical health in patients with anxiety disorders — meta-analysisView study →}. It caused no withdrawal symptoms when stopped abruptly after ten weeks ^{8Reference 8Gastpar et al. · 2017RCTSilexan does not cause withdrawal symptoms even when abruptly discontinued — randomized controlled trialView study →}.

These results come from one manufacturer’s standardized oral capsule. The anxiolytic dose is a concentrated swallowed essential oil, not an aromatherapy diffuser, a tea or a 1:2 tincture.

Gap: all positive anxiety data are for oral Silexan; there is no equivalent controlled evidence for the tincture or dried-flower tea at the doses people actually use.

2. Sleep Quality

In the Silexan trials, sleep improved along with anxiety. A mediation analysis found that more than 98% of the effect on sleep came through the reduction in anxiety, and the direct effect on sleep was marginal ^{11Reference 11Seifritz et al. · 2022ReviewEffect of the anxiolytic drug silexan on sleep — a narrative reviewView study →}.

Separately, a 2026 meta-analysis of eleven RCTs (628 adults) found that lavender essential oil improved sleep quality, while noting that the number and quality of the studies were limited ^{12Reference 12Shen et al. · 2026Meta-analysisThe sleep-enhancing effect of lavender essential oil in adults — a systematic review and meta-analysisView study →}. A 2024 meta-analysis of aromatherapy in older adults found improved sleep quality, with lavender alone giving the largest effect ^{13Reference 13Xu et al. · 2024Meta-analysisEffects of aromatherapy on sleep quality in older adults — a meta-analysisView study →}. Blinding is difficult in these trials, because the scent is obvious.

Gap: no trial shows lavender working as a primary sleep aid on objective sleep measures; the aromatherapy evidence is subjective, and the oral-capsule benefit comes through reduced anxiety.

3. Depressive Symptoms

A 2023 meta-analysis of the five placebo-controlled trials found that Silexan reduced co-occurring depressive symptoms in patients with subthreshold anxiety or anxiety disorders, with larger improvements in those with more severe symptoms ^{10Reference 10Bartova et al. · 2023Meta-analysisBeneficial effects of Silexan on co-occurring depressive symptoms in patients with subthreshold anxiety — meta-analysisView study →}. A dedicated RCT in 318 people with mixed anxiety and depression showed benefit on both anxiety and depression scores ^{4Reference 4Kasper et al. · 2016RCTEfficacy of Silexan in mixed anxiety–depression — a randomized, placebo-controlled trialView study →}.

No trial has tested Silexan in major depressive disorder as the main diagnosis.

Gap: the effect is on depressive symptoms that come with anxiety; lavender has not been tested as a stand-alone antidepressant in diagnosed major depression.

4. Anti-Inflammatory

Linalool and linalyl acetate reduced carrageenan-induced paw swelling in rats. Linalool was the more active; linalyl acetate acted later and more weakly, as if it were converted to linalool first ^{17Reference 17Peana et al. · 2002AnimalAnti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oils — rat modelView study →}.

In macrophage cells, linalool reduced nitric-oxide production ^{31Reference 31Peana et al. · 2006In vitroPeana, A. T., et al. (2006). (−)-Linalool inhibits in vitro NO formation: probable involvement in the antinociceptive activity — in vitro/animal model. Life Sciences. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16137709/View study →}, and its pain-relieving effect in mice involves adenosine receptors ^{18Reference 18Peana et al. · 2006AnimalInvolvement of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in (−)-linalool-induced antinociception — animal modelView study →}.

These are reproducible rodent and in-vitro findings with isolated compounds. No controlled human trial has tested lavender for an inflammatory condition.

5. Analgesic

Linalool relieved pain in rodent models, an effect partly blocked by adenosine A1 and A2A receptor antagonists ^{18Reference 18Peana et al. · 2006AnimalInvolvement of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in (−)-linalool-induced antinociception — animal modelView study →}. It reduced nitric-oxide formation ^{31Reference 31Peana et al. · 2006In vitroPeana, A. T., et al. (2006). (−)-Linalool inhibits in vitro NO formation: probable involvement in the antinociceptive activity — in vitro/animal model. Life Sciences. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16137709/View study →}, and it blunted the heightened pain sensitivity caused by carrageenan and by glutamate in rats ^{19Reference 19Peana et al. · 2004AnimalEffects of (−)-linalool in the acute hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, L-glutamate and prostaglandin E2 — rat modelView study →}.

Inhaled lavender has been used in aromatherapy for pain around procedures and surgery, but the trials are hard to blind because the scent is obvious.

Gap: the mechanism is well described in rodents, but there are no well-controlled human data, and none for the tincture.

6. Antispasmodic

Lavender oil relaxed isolated guinea-pig ileum, apparently through cyclic AMP, and linalool acted in the same way as the whole oil. Earlier work had shown spasmolytic activity on rat uterus in vitro ^{21Reference 21Lis-Balchin et al. · 1999In vitroStudies on the mode of action of the essential oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) — in vitro smooth-muscle studyView study →}. Linalyl acetate relaxed isolated rabbit artery, partly through nitric oxide and partly by dephosphorylating myosin light chain ^{20Reference 20Koto et al. · 2006In vitroLinalyl acetate as a major ingredient of lavender essential oil relaxes the rabbit/rat smooth muscle — in vitro/animal modelView study →}.

All of this is isolated-tissue work; no clinical trial has tested lavender for menstrual, gut or other spasm.

Gap: no human trial has tested any spasm-related condition, including period pain.

7. Antimicrobial

Lavender essential oil shows antibacterial and antifungal activity in vitro, which is the pharmacology behind its topical use for minor skin infections. The activity is attributed to monoterpenes such as linalool and terpinen-4-ol, which disrupt microbial membranes.

Topical oil is the same preparation the laboratory data model. No controlled clinical trial has shown that the oil clears or prevents a skin infection in people.

8. Neuroprotective

Lavender oil at 100 mg/kg improved memory in mice given scopolamine, lowered acetylcholinesterase activity and oxidative-stress markers in the hippocampus, and protected cultured nerve cells from hydrogen peroxide ^{22Reference 22Xu et al. · 2016AnimalProtective effect of lavender oil on scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits in mice — animal modelView study →}. In cell studies, the oil did not worsen three kinds of nerve-cell injury and improved survival after hydrogen-peroxide damage ^{15Reference 15López et al. · 2017In vitroExploring pharmacological mechanisms of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil on central nervous system targets — in vitroView study →}.

These are animal and cell studies, with no clinical data.

Mechanisms

The anxiety-reducing action of lavender oil has been studied mainly at serotonin targets. In mice, the effect of inhaled oil was blocked by a 5-HT1A antagonist but not by the GABA-A antagonist picrotoxin, and the oil did not bind the benzodiazepine site ^{16Reference 16Chioca et al. · 2013AnimalAnxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation in mice: participation of serotonergic but not GABA-A/benzodiazepine neurotransmission — animal modelView study →}. In healthy men, eight weeks of Silexan reduced serotonin-1A receptor binding on PET scans ^{14Reference 14Baldinger et al. · 2014RCTEffects of Silexan on the serotonin-1A receptor and microstructure of the human brain — a randomized, placebo-controlled PET studyView study →}. In vitro, the oil and linalool bound the NMDA receptor and the serotonin transporter, but not the benzodiazepine receptor ^{15Reference 15López et al. · 2017In vitroExploring pharmacological mechanisms of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil on central nervous system targets — in vitroView study →}.

Linalool and linalyl acetate have also been studied for pain, inflammation and smooth-muscle relaxation, in animals and isolated tissue ^{17,18,19,20,21Reference 17Peana et al. · 2002AnimalAnti-inflammatory activity of linalool and linalyl acetate constituents of essential oils — rat modelView study →Reference 18Peana et al. · 2006AnimalInvolvement of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors in (−)-linalool-induced antinociception — animal modelView study →Reference 19Peana et al. · 2004AnimalEffects of (−)-linalool in the acute hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan, L-glutamate and prostaglandin E2 — rat modelView study →Reference 20Koto et al. · 2006In vitroLinalyl acetate as a major ingredient of lavender essential oil relaxes the rabbit/rat smooth muscle — in vitro/animal modelView study →Reference 21Lis-Balchin et al. · 1999In vitroStudies on the mode of action of the essential oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) — in vitro smooth-muscle studyView study →}.

Clinical Trials

Lavender has a substantial trial programme, almost entirely for the oral Silexan preparation in anxiety and related mood and sleep symptoms. Other indications and other preparations remain preclinical.

Last checked: July 2026.

Phytochemistry

True lavender oil is dominated by linalool and linalyl acetate. Under the ISO standard, linalool makes up 25–38% of the oil and linalyl acetate 25–45% ^{32Reference 32ISO 3515:2002 · 2002Oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.)}.

Good lavender oil is low in camphor (at most 0.5%) and 1,8-cineole. Higher levels of either point to adulteration or a different species ^{32Reference 32ISO 3515:2002 · 2002Oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.)}.

Spike lavender (L. latifolia) and lavandin (L. × intermedia) oils carry much more camphor and 1,8-cineole than true lavender oil ^{33Reference 33Cavanagh et al. · 2002ReviewBiological activities of lavender essential oil — review}.

Other volatiles include terpinen-4-ol, the ocimenes, lavandulyl acetate and its alcohol lavandulol, myrtenol, and small amounts of caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide and nerolidol ^{32,33Reference 32ISO 3515:2002 · 2002Oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.)Reference 33Cavanagh et al. · 2002ReviewBiological activities of lavender essential oil — review}.

The flower also carries a small non-volatile fraction, including the coumarins coumarin and herniarin and the triterpene ursolic acid ^{32Reference 32ISO 3515:2002 · 2002Oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.)}.

Constituent Summary

Figures are the ISO 3515 limits for Lavandula angustifolia oil, as a share of the oil; natural samples vary widely. † marks the compounds that should stay low in true lavender ^{32,33Reference 32ISO 3515:2002 · 2002Oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.)Reference 33Cavanagh et al. · 2002ReviewBiological activities of lavender essential oil — review}.

Dosage

In research, lavender is almost always given as the standardized oral essential-oil capsule Silexan, dosed in milligrams. The trials did not test the dried-flower tea or the tincture.

Traditional Dosage

Safety & Pregnancy

Lavender is well tolerated by mouth and by inhalation. The main cautions concern the oil on the skin: it can cause contact allergy, and case reports have linked repeated use in children to breast growth.

Full Safety & Interactions Detail

Tolerability. In the Silexan trials, adverse events were about as common as on placebo ^{2,5,7Reference 2Kasper et al. · 2014RCTLavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder — a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineView study →Reference 5Kasper et al. · 2017RCTSilexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the therapeutic dosage range in a pooled data set — randomized controlled trialView study →Reference 7Dold et al. · 2023Meta-analysisEfficacy of Silexan in patients with anxiety disorders — a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trialsView study →}. Burping was the only side effect clearly more frequent than on placebo ^{4Reference 4Kasper et al. · 2016RCTEfficacy of Silexan in mixed anxiety–depression — a randomized, placebo-controlled trialView study →}. No withdrawal symptoms appeared when the capsules were stopped abruptly after ten weeks ^{8Reference 8Gastpar et al. · 2017RCTSilexan does not cause withdrawal symptoms even when abruptly discontinued — randomized controlled trialView study →}.

Contact allergy. Lavender oil is a recognized contact allergen, and its allergenic potential rises once linalool oxidizes on exposure to air, so aged oil is more sensitizing than fresh.

Breast growth in children. Case reports describe breast growth in prepubertal boys, and early breast development in girls, during repeated use of lavender-containing products, which resolved when the products were stopped ^{23,24,25Reference 23Henley et al. · 2007Case reportPrepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils — case series with in-vitro endocrine assaysView study →Reference 24Diaz et al. · 2016Prepubertal gynecomastia and chronic lavender exposure — report of three casesView study →Reference 25Ramsey et al. · 2019Case reportLavender products associated with premature thelarche and prepubertal gynecomastia — case reports and in-vitro endocrine-disruptor screeningView study →}. Some oil components showed oestrogen-like and anti-androgen activity in cell tests ^{23,25,28Reference 23Henley et al. · 2007Case reportPrepubertal gynecomastia linked to lavender and tea tree oils — case series with in-vitro endocrine assaysView study →Reference 25Ramsey et al. · 2019Case reportLavender products associated with premature thelarche and prepubertal gynecomastia — case reports and in-vitro endocrine-disruptor screeningView study →Reference 28Sharma et al. · 2024In vitroEffect of essential-oil components on the activity of steroidogenic cytochrome P450 — in vitroView study →}.

On the other side, lavender oil applied to the skin of young rats showed no oestrogen-like activity ^{26Reference 26Politano et al. · 2013AnimalUterotrophic assay of percutaneous lavender oil in immature female rats — animal model (negative)View study →}, and guideline testing of linalool and linalyl acetate found no relevant hormonal effects in cells or animals ^{27Reference 27Hareng et al. · 2024ReviewCritical assessment of the endocrine potential of linalool and linalyl acetate — in-vitro/in-vivo reviewView study →}. A 2020 systematic review of eleven reported cases found little to no evidence for the proposed link ^{30Reference 30Hawkins et al. · 2020Systematic reviewThe relationship between lavender and tea tree essential oils and pediatric endocrine disorders — systematic reviewView study →}. Repeated skin use in prepubertal children is still best avoided.

Drug metabolism. In a crossover study in 16 healthy volunteers, 160 mg a day of Silexan for 11 days had no clinically relevant effect on the drug-metabolising enzymes CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 or CYP3A4 ^{38Reference 38Doroshyenko et al. · 2013RCTDrug cocktail interaction study on the effect of the orally administered lavender oil preparation silexan on cytochrome P450 enzymes in healthy volunteers — randomised crossover trialView study →}.

Oral contraceptives. A randomized crossover trial in 24 women found that 160 mg/day of Silexan did not change blood levels of ethinylestradiol or levonorgestrel, or reduce the pill’s effect ^{29Reference 29Heger-Mahn et al. · 2014RCTNo interacting influence of the lavender oil preparation Silexan on oral contraception — randomized controlled trialView study →}.

Sedatives. Combining lavender with sedative drugs could add to their effect. This is a theoretical caution, and no interaction has been shown.

References

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