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LAV7.2

Lavender Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

156 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Mostly mechanism / observational

Most Lavender studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.

Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2001–2026 with a typical study size of 70 participants.

Based on 155 studies · 21 meta-analyses · 121 RCTs · 626 total participants

Confidence

High confidence

By outcome

Anxiety & stressSignificant reduction in state and trait anxiety scores · 1–4 weeks · Lower cortisol response and reduced perceived stress · 2–4 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational50 studies
Sleep & insomniaReduced sleep latency and improved subjective sleep onset · 1–2 weeks · Improved subjective sleep continuity (largely anxiety-mediated) · 2–4 weeks · Modest subjective sleep-quality improvement (no proven sleep-architecture change) · 2–4 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational23 studies
Depression & moodReduction in depressive symptom scores · 4–8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational13 studies
Cognitive function
Mostly mechanism / observational6 studies
Safety profile
Too few graded studies1 study

Active research area

88 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025

200120132026

1Meta-Analysis2020

Salehi-Pourmehr H, Ostadrahimi A, Ebrahimpour-Mirzarezaei M, Farshbaf-Khalili A · Complement Ther Clin Pract (2020)

Lavender Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

Does aromatherapy with lavender affect physical and psychological symptoms of menopausal women? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The antidepressant effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.): A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.

How Strong is the Evidence for the Anxiolytic Efficacy of Lavender?: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The best route of administration of lavender for anxiety: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on lavender for sleep disorders in older adults.

Effects of Lavender on Anxiety, Depression, and Physiological Parameters: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Lavender Essential Oil in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The effect of lavender on stress in individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Effect of Lavender Oil on Preoperative Anxiety: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Efficacy of Silexan in patients with anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.

Effects of aromatherapy with Rosa damascene and lavender on pain and anxiety of burn patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Efficacy and safety of lavender essential oil (Silexan) capsules among patients suffering from anxiety disorders: A network meta-analysis.

Aromatherapy for Managing Menopausal Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials.

Aromatherapy with single essential oils can significantly improve the sleep quality of cancer patients: a meta-analysis.

Is lavender an anxiolytic drug? A systematic review of randomised clinical trials.

Effects of lavender on anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Inhalation Aromatherapy With Lavender for Postoperative Pain Management: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Clinician guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders with nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals: The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Taskforce.

The effect of Lavender on pain and healing of episiotomy: A systematic review.

Lavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in mild-to-moderate major depression: a randomized, placebo- and reference-controlled trial.