Herb

    Lavender

    Lavandula angustifolia

    TL;DR

    Oral lavender oil, specifically the standardised preparation Silexan at 80 mg/day, has randomised trial evidence in generalised anxiety comparable to low-dose lorazepam and paroxetine, without sedation or dependence. This is one of the strongest botanical anxiety findings available.

    Ideal For

    • Generalised anxiety and subsyndromal anxiety
    • People who need to stay alert and cannot tolerate sedation
    • Restlessness and anxiety-related sleep disturbance
    • Those wanting an option without dependence risk

    Avoid If

    • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
    • Known allergy to lavender or Lamiaceae plants
    • Expecting aromatherapy to replicate oral results

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Overview

    Lavender is unusual among calming botanicals in having a genuinely rigorous clinical programme behind it. The preparation matters completely: Silexan is a specific steam-distilled lavender oil in a gastro-resistant softgel, and essentially all the positive trial evidence attaches to it rather than to lavender capsules generally. Randomised, double-blind studies have compared 80 mg/day against placebo, against lorazepam 0.5 mg and against paroxetine 20 mg in generalised anxiety disorder, with lavender performing comparably to both active comparators on the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Meta-analyses of oral lavender support anxiolytic effect with reasonable consistency. What makes it clinically interesting is the mechanism: it modulates voltage-gated calcium channels rather than GABA-A receptors, so it does not sedate, does not impair cognition, does not produce tolerance and does not cause withdrawal — the four things that limit benzodiazepines. The main practical annoyance is lavender burping, which affects a substantial minority. Aromatherapy is a separate and much weaker literature and should not be conflated with the oral evidence.

    How It Works

    • Linalool inhibits voltage-gated calcium channels, reducing neurotransmitter release
    • Does not act on GABA-A receptors — hence no sedation or dependence
    • Mechanism is closer to pregabalin than to benzodiazepines
    • Some serotonin 1A receptor modulation reported

    Quick Facts

    • Comparable to lorazepam 0.5 mg and paroxetine 20 mg in randomised trials
    • No sedation, tolerance or withdrawal
    • 80 mg/day of the Silexan preparation is the studied dose
    • Lavender burping is the main real-world drawback

    Benefits & Outcomes

    No linked outcomes yet. Research is ongoing.

    Health Concerns Addressed

    Anxiety

    symptom
    Likely effective
    Effectiveness 4/5

    Strong evidence for the standardised Silexan preparation specifically. Comparable to active drug comparators in head-to-head trials, with a far better tolerability profile.

    Supporting Research
    8 studies

    Therapeutic effects of Silexan on somatic symptoms and physical health in patients with anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis

    Score: 7/10
    2021
    meta_analysis

    von Känel R, et al.

    statistically significant and clinically meaningful advantages of Silexan over placebo treatment were found in improving somatic symptoms and physical health.

    View source

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

    Score: 8/10
    2023
    meta_analysis
    n=1573

    Dold M, Bartova L, Volz HP

    Silexan was significantly superior to placebo in reducing HAMA total scores in patients with anxiety disorders.

    View source

    Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of subsyndromal anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial

    Score: 7/10
    2010
    rct
    n=221

    Kasper S

    Lavandula oil preparation had a significant beneficial influence on quality and duration of sleep and improved general mental and physical health.

    View source

    Silexan in generalized anxiety disorder: investigation of the efficacy and tolerability in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with paroxetine as active control

    Score: 8/10
    2014
    rct
    n=539

    Kasper S, Gastpar M, Muller WE

    Silexan 160 mg/day significantly reduced HAMA total score versus placebo in generalized anxiety disorder.

    View source

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

    Score: 7/10
    2019
    meta_analysis
    n=1200

    Yap WS, Dolzhenko AV, Jalal Z

    Silexan 160 mg showed anxiolytic effects comparable to paroxetine and lorazepam with a favourable adverse event profile.

    View source

    Efficacy of Silexan in subthreshold anxiety: meta-analysis of randomised, placebo-controlled trials

    Score: 7/10
    2019
    meta_analysis
    n=1173

    Moller HJ, Volz HP, Dienel A

    Silexan improved anxiety, sleep quality and health-related quality of life in patients with subthreshold anxiety.

    View source

    A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder

    Score: 6/10
    2010
    rct
    n=77

    Woelk H, Schlafke S

    Silexan was as effective as lorazepam in adults with generalised anxiety disorder over six weeks.

    View source

    Effect of Inhaled Lavender and Sleep Hygiene on Self-Reported Sleep Issues: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    Score: 5/10
    2015
    rct
    n=79

    Lillehei AS, Halcon LL, Savik K

    Inhaled lavender with sleep hygiene improved self-reported sleep quality, but the advantage was not maintained at follow-up.

    View source

    Safety Information

    Potential Side Effects

    Eructation with a lavender taste is by far the most common effect and the main reason people stop. Otherwise nausea and headache, at rates close to placebo. Notably no sedation or cognitive impairment in trials.

    Contraindications

    Insufficient safety data in pregnancy and breastfeeding. There has been debate about prepubertal gynaecomastia with topical lavender products, though the evidence is contested and pertains to topical rather than oral use.

    Drug Interactions

    • CNS depressants — theoretical additive effect, though lavender itself is non-sedating
    • Benzodiazepines — no pharmacological overlap, but combined use should be supervised
    • Anticoagulants — a theoretical interaction with limited clinical evidence

    Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

    Pregnancy: insufficient_data

    Breastfeeding: insufficient_data

    Dosage Guidelines

    Dosage Used in Studies

    80-160 mg

    Best Time to Take

    Once daily, any time; often taken in the morning

    Best Form

    Silexan or an equivalent standardised oral lavender oil softgel

    Bioavailability

    Linalool and linalyl acetate are well absorbed from gastro-resistant softgels, with peak plasma concentrations within about an hour.

    Forms Compared

    Silexan oral softgel

    Generic lavender oil capsule

    Aromatherapy oil

    Lavender tea

    Food & Timing

    With food to reduce reflux and lavender-flavoured burping.

    Medical Disclaimer

    The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any supplement regimen.

    Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.