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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Lavender wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Probably helps
4 of 8 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (2)
Outcomes where both Kava and Lavender have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
150-300mg kavalactones daily
Evening for relaxation, 30-60 minutes before stressful events, Before bed for sleep
Water-extracted root powder or capsules
80 mg oral Silexan daily OR aromatherapy inhalation 30–60 min sessions
Evening before bed for sleep and anxiety, Acute use before stressful procedures or events
Oral Silexan capsule (80 mg) for systemic/psychiatric use
30-60 minutes
30-60 minutes
30-60 minutes
1-2 hours
1–4 weeks
1–3 weeks
4–8 weeks
Acute to 2 weeks
Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: 10-year updated review
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018) · Systematic review
Other encouraging herbal medicines with preliminary evidence include Curcuma longa (turmeric) in depression, Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) in affective disorders, and Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) as an adjunctive treatment in Schizophrenia.
GABA-modulating phytomedicines for anxiety: A systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2018) · Systematic review
An open-ended search to 5 July 2017 was conducted using MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane library online databases and performed in a stepped format from preclinical to clinical investigations.
Herbal medicine for insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Sleep medicine reviews (2015) · Meta analysis · n=1602
There was no statistically significant difference between any herbal medicine and placebo, or any herbal medicine and active control, for any of the thirteen measures of clinical efficacy.
Effects of lavender on anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2019) · Meta analysis
Meta-analysis confirmed significant anxiolytic effects of lavender across multiple administration routes
Efficacy of Silexan in patients with anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience (2023) · Meta analysis
Silexan 80 mg/day was significantly superior to placebo in reducing Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) total scores
Efficacy of Silexan in subthreshold anxiety: meta-analysis of randomised, placebo-controlled trials.
European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience (2019) · Meta analysis
Silexan 80 mg/day significantly reduced HAMA scores compared to placebo in subthreshold anxiety
Based on multiple meta-analyses showing efficacy vs placebo with effect size comparable to benzodiazepines for mild-moderate anxiety. WS1490 extract showed OR=3.3 vs placebo. Effectiveness limited to 60% due to mixed results in some GAD populations and study quality limitations.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Lavender has a higher evidence score (7.2/10 vs 6/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
Both Kava and Lavender score equally (90) for reduce anxiety & stress.
No known interactions between Kava and Lavender have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.