From the Guidelines
I strongly recommend using lavender oil over pills for anxiety due to its safety profile, ease of use, and effectiveness in reducing anxiety symptoms, as supported by recent studies 1. When it comes to managing anxiety, lavender oil and pills are both options, but they have different advantages and considerations.
Key Points to Consider
- Lavender oil can be used through aromatherapy, which involves inhaling the oil directly from the bottle, adding it to a diffuser, or mixing it with bath water.
- The effectiveness of lavender oil in reducing anxiety has been demonstrated in several studies, including a recent review of six RCTs that showed a reduction in anxiety in five trials, with three recording statistically significant differences between the aromatherapy inhalation and control groups 1.
- Lavender pills, such as Silexan, have also shown effectiveness in clinical settings, but they may have more potential interactions with other medications and side effects compared to lavender oil.
- A recent guideline update suggests that adjusting treatment regimens for anxiety and depression may be necessary if there is little improvement in symptoms despite good adherence, and that shared decision-making should take into account availability, accessibility, patient preference, likelihood of adherence, and cost 1.
Recommendations for Use
- For mild anxiety, start with lavender essential oil, using 2-3 drops in a diffuser, inhaling directly from the bottle for 30 seconds, or adding 5-10 drops to a warm bath.
- For more significant anxiety, consider oral lavender supplements like Silexan (80-160mg daily) after consulting with a healthcare provider, especially if you're pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have existing health conditions.
- Be aware that lavender products can cause digestive upset or skin irritation in some people, and oral supplements may interact with certain medications, as noted in a consensus statement on the use of dietary supplements in surgical patients 1.
From the Research
Comparison of Lavender Oil and Pills for Anxiety
- The efficacy of lavender oil and pills in reducing anxiety has been studied in various clinical trials 2, 3, 4, 5.
- A study published in 2010 found that silexan, an oral lavender oil capsule preparation, was as effective as lorazepam in reducing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms 2.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2019 found that lavender inhalation, oral administration, and massage with lavender oil were effective in reducing anxiety levels 3.
- Another study published in 2012 found that oral lavender supplements may have therapeutic effects on anxiety, but further independent replications are needed to confirm this finding 4.
- A study published in 2013 found that lavender oil has potent anxiolytic properties by modulating voltage-dependent calcium channels, similar to the established anxiolytic pregabalin 5.
Key Findings
- Lavender oil and pills have been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms in various studies 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The oral administration of lavender oil has been found to be effective in reducing anxiety levels, with a significant reduction in Hamilton Anxiety Scale scores 3.
- Lavender inhalation has also been found to be effective in reducing anxiety levels, although the evidence is limited by the heterogeneity of available studies 3.
- Massage with lavender oil has been found to be effective in reducing anxiety levels, but more studies are needed to confirm this finding 3.
Administration Methods
- Oral administration: Lavender oil capsules or pills have been found to be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms 2, 3, 5.
- Inhalation: Lavender oil inhalation has been found to be effective in reducing anxiety levels, although the evidence is limited 3.
- Massage: Massage with lavender oil has been found to be effective in reducing anxiety levels, but more studies are needed to confirm this finding 3.