Lavender and Improved Sleep Quality

Research synthesisLow evidenceModerate effect3 studies · 3 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful

Across all 3 available studies, lavender shows moderate beneficial effects on sleep quality in clinical populations. All 3 studies reported statistically significant improvements, with effect sizes consistently rated as moderate. The most studied form was inhaled lavender oil, and the median study duration across 2 reporting studies was 31 days, though effects were also observed after 5 days in one trial.

Studied populations: Clinical populations, including patients with hematological malignancies undergoing chemotherapy and postmenopausal women

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. 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).

Generated May 14, 2026

Doses used in studies

mg/day: 500 (median 500, IQR 500–500) — 1 study

Time to effect

Median: 4.4 weeks · IQR 2.5 weeks–6.2 weeks · Range 5 days–8 weeks — Reported in 2 of 3 studies

3 of 3 papers

The efficacy of lavender oil on fatigue and sleep quality in patients with hematological malignancy receiving chemotherapy: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.
- 2025-01-08
- RCT · n = 120
- Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 33(2)
- - Dilek Yildirim
  - Merve Harman Ozdogan
  - Seckin Erdal
  - Sevinc Selcuk
  - Azize Guneri
  - Elif Begum Simsek
  - Taha Berkay Can
  - Hazal Gunduz
  - Aysem Kuni
- PubMed: 39775962
- DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-09143-5
5 Insights on
- Improved Sleep Quality
- High evidence
- Large Human Trial
- Clinical
The experimental group showed a significantly higher sleep quality (p = 0.001) compared to the control group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Dose
not stated (applied for 20 min prior to bed for 5 consecutive days)
Effect of inhaled aromatherapy on sleep quality in critically ill patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.
- 2024-07-23
- Systematic Review · n = 11
- Journal of clinical nursing 34(3)
- - Chiu-Shu Fang
  - Yu-Kang Tu
  - Fan-Hao Chou
  - Ching-Ju Fang
  - Shih-Lun Chang
- PubMed: 39041491
- DOI: 10.1111/jocn.17368
1 Insight on
- Improved Sleep Quality
- High evidence
- Clinical
followed by Rosa damascene, peppermint, Citrus aurantium, pure sunflower oil and lavender oil alone
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Comparison of the effect of lavender and bitter orange on sleep quality in postmenopausal women: A triple-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial.
- 2017-08-25
- RCT · n = 52
- Women & health 58(8)
- - Mahin Kamalifard
  - Azizeh Farshbaf-Khalili
  - Mahsa Namadian
  - Yunes Ranjbar
  - Sepideh Herizchi
- PubMed: 28749734
- DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2017.1353575
1 Insight on
- Improved Sleep Quality
- High evidence
- Clinical
Bitter orange and lavender significantly improved the mean sleep score compared with the Bitter orange and lavender significantly improved the mean sleep score compared with the control group . The positive effect of bitter orange and lavender on sleep quality in postmenopausal women suggests that they can be used to improve sleep quality in such women.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Dose
500 mg/day

Lavender and Improved Sleep Quality

The efficacy of lavender oil on fatigue and sleep quality in patients with hematological malignancy receiving chemotherapy: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Effect of inhaled aromatherapy on sleep quality in critically ill patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Comparison of the effect of lavender and bitter orange on sleep quality in postmenopausal women: A triple-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial.