Research synthesisHigh evidenceModerate effect10 studies · 10 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful
Across 10 studies, all 10 reported beneficial effects of lavender on sleep quality, with 10 reaching statistical significance. The predominant effect size was moderate, with effect sizes ranging from small to large. Effects were observed primarily with inhalation aromatherapy (the most common form) and oral dosing at 500 mg/day in one study, with a median study duration of 28 days; studies included clinical populations such as adults with hypertension, cancer patients, and postmenopausal women.
- Effective dose range: Inhalation: 15-minute daily sessions or 8-hour nightly exposure; Oral: 500 mg/day
- Studied populations: adults with hypertension, breast cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy, patients with hematological malignancies, patients with chronic heart failure, postmenopausal women, older adults with sleep disorders, critically ill patients, pregnant women
Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Most studies used inhalation as the route of administration, so findings may not generalize to oral lavender supplements. Study durations varied widely (5 to 56 days), and the effect size was inconsistent across populations, with some studies showing small effects and others large.
Generated Jul 16, 2026