From the Guidelines
Lavender-containing perfumes are not a reliable treatment for anxiety, and individuals should consult a healthcare provider for evidence-based treatments. When considering the use of lavender perfumes for anxiety, it's essential to understand that the current evidence is mostly based on aromatherapy inhalation, not perfumes. According to a recent study 1, lavender essential oil aromatherapy inhalation has shown modest anxiety-reducing effects in some trials, but the evidence is not strong enough to support its use as a primary treatment for anxiety disorders. Some key points to consider:
- The study 1 found that reduction in anxiety was reported in five out of six trials, but only three recorded statistically significant differences between the aromatherapy inhalation versus the control.
- Another study 1 suggests that lavender supplementation has shown to be efficacious and safe in the treatment of anxiety, but this is not directly related to perfumes.
- Established treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy, meditation, regular exercise, and if necessary, medications such as SSRIs or benzodiazepines prescribed by a healthcare provider are more effective for diagnosed anxiety disorders.
- Lavender is generally safe when used as a fragrance, but it should complement rather than replace evidence-based anxiety treatments, especially for moderate to severe anxiety. It's crucial to prioritize evidence-based treatments for anxiety and consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
From the Research
Effectiveness of Lavender Perfume in Treating Anxiety
- The effectiveness of lavender in treating anxiety has been studied in various forms, including aromatherapy, oral supplements, and massage oil 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- A systematic review of randomized clinical trials found that lavender aromatherapy may have favorable effects on anxiety and its physiological manifestations, such as reducing systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and salivary cortisol levels 3.
- Another study found that oral administration of lavender essential oil proves to be effective in the treatment of anxiety, whereas for inhalation, there is only an indication of an effect of reasonable size due to the heterogeneity of available studies 4.
- A network meta-analysis found that lavender aromatherapy is the best approach for the treatment of anxiety among other lavender modalities at the first week of recording, while Silexan (oral lavender) 80 mg is preferable for long-term treatment of anxiety 6.
Considerations for Using Lavender Perfume
- The method of administration and the quality of the studies are important factors to consider when evaluating the effectiveness of lavender in treating anxiety 2, 4.
- The majority of included randomized controlled trials were characterized by a high overall risk of bias, which limits the extent to which conclusions can be drawn regarding the efficacy of lavender 4.
- Further high-quality randomized controlled trials with more homogeneous study designs are needed to confirm the findings and establish the effectiveness of lavender in treating anxiety 4, 5.
Perfume Containing Lavender
- While there is evidence to support the use of lavender in treating anxiety, the effectiveness of a perfume containing lavender is not directly addressed in the available studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, if the perfume contains a sufficient amount of lavender essential oil and is used in a way that allows for inhalation of the aroma, it may have some anxiolytic effects based on the available evidence 3, 4, 6.