Does lavender help with anxiety?

Lavender for Anxiety: Evidence-Based Recommendations

Lavender supplementation has shown to be efficacious and safe in the treatment of anxiety, including in preoperative settings, with no clinical evidence suggesting it potentiates anesthetic effects. 1

Forms and Efficacy of Lavender for Anxiety

Lavender can be used in several forms with varying levels of evidence:

Oral Lavender (Silexan)

• Strongest evidence: Oral Silexan 80 mg daily has demonstrated efficacy comparable to benzodiazepines for generalized anxiety disorder 2
• More favorable safety profile than benzodiazepines with no risk of dependence or sedation 2
• Requires consistent use for at least 6 weeks for optimal effect 2, 3
• Shown to reduce anxiety scores on validated scales including Hamilton Anxiety Scale (mean difference = -2.90) 3

Lavender Aromatherapy

• Inhalation can significantly reduce anxiety levels (Hedges' g = -0.73) 3
• Reduces state anxiety (STAI-State mean difference = -5.99) 3
• Reduces trait anxiety (STAI-Trait mean difference = -8.14) 3
• More effective in conditions of low anxiety compared to high anxiety 4
• May help reduce heart rate and increase heart rate variability, indicating decreased sympathetic arousal 4, 5

Lavender Massage

• Effective for anxiety reduction (Hedges' g = -0.66) 3
• Used in medical settings to increase patient satisfaction and reduce procedural anxiety 1, 2

Clinical Applications

1. General Anxiety Disorders:

   • First-line complementary treatment: Oral Silexan 80 mg daily for at least 6 weeks 2, 3
   • Alternative: Lavender aromatherapy via inhalation when needed 3, 5

2. Procedural Anxiety:

   • Lavender aromatherapy can increase satisfaction and reduce pain or anxiety associated with medical procedures 1, 2
   • Particularly helpful during gynecological procedures 1
   • Can be combined with other anxiety-reducing techniques (breathing exercises, music) 1

3. Preoperative Anxiety:

   • Safe to continue lavender supplementation in the preoperative period 1
   • No evidence of interaction with anesthetics 1

Physiological Effects

Lavender appears to work through multiple mechanisms:

• Linalool and linalyl acetate (primary constituents) inhibit voltage-gated calcium channels 6
• Reduction of 5HT1A receptor activity 6
• Increased parasympathetic tone, shown by improved heart rate variability 4, 5
• Decreases in salivary cortisol and chromogranin A levels, indicating reduced stress 5

Limitations and Considerations

• Effects may be more pronounced in females than males 4
• More effective in low-anxiety situations than high-anxiety conditions 4
• Quality of evidence varies, with many studies having methodological limitations 3, 5
• May help reduce benzodiazepine use, though more research is needed 7

Practical Implementation

• For aromatherapy: Apply drops of lavender essential oil on tissue paper and inhale when feeling anxious 7
• For medical procedures: Consider offering lavender aromatherapy as part of anxiety management protocol 1
• For chronic anxiety: Recommend oral Silexan 80 mg daily with consistent use 2, 3

Lavender represents a safe, generally well-tolerated option for anxiety management that can be used alone for mild anxiety or as an adjunct to conventional treatments for more severe anxiety.