Lavender and Reduced Anxiety

Research synthesisLow evidenceMixed effect size3 studies · 2 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial effects (one small, one moderate) and 1 was neutral, indicating modest evidence for anxiety reduction with lavender. The highest-quality study in postmenopausal women showed a small effect at 500 mg/day oral dose over 8 weeks. Effects are primarily observed in specific populations (elderly women and children) and with different delivery forms, limiting generalizability.

Studied populations: postmenopausal women, children aged 6-10 years

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Studies used different forms (oral capsule and aromatherapy) — effects may depend on delivery method. Populations studied are narrow (postmenopausal women and children), so applicability to other groups is unclear.

Generated May 14, 2026

Doses used in studies

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

Time to effect

Median: 8 weeks · IQR 8 weeks–8 weeks · Range 8 weeks–8 weeks — Reported in 1 of 3 studies

3 of 3 papersPopulation:

Comparison of the effect of lavender and bitter orange on anxiety in postmenopausal women: A triple-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial.
- 2018-02-20
- RCT · n = 52
- Complementary therapies in clinical practice 31
- - Azizeh Farshbaf-Khalili
  - Mahin Kamalifard
  - Mahsa Namadian
- PubMed: 29705445
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.02.004
2 Insights on
- Reduced Anxiety
- High evidence
- Elderly
Lavender significantly reduced the mean state-anxiety scores compared with the control group as well [aMD: -2.45 (95% CI -4.13 to -0.77)].
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
500 mg/day (capsule containing lavender flower powder)
Ylang-ylang and lavender aromatherapy for paediatric dental anxiety: A randomized control trial in first restorative appointment.
- 2025-10-31
- RCT
- Bioinformation 21(10)
- - Amol N Patil
  - Sneha N Kamble
  - Pranali Shelke
  - Priya Telang
  - Aishwarya Shelar
  - Mrunalini Kadam
- PubMed: 41623781
- DOI: 10.6026/973206300213686
2 Insights on
- Reduced Anxiety
- High evidence
Both aromatherapy groups showed a significant reduction in anxiety compared to the placebo
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Medicinal Plants Used for Anxiety, Depression, or Stress Treatment: An Update.
- 2022-09-15
- Review
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) 27(18)
- - Maša Kenda
  - Nina Kočevar Glavač
  - Milan Nagy
  - Marija Sollner Dolenc
- PubMed: 36144755
- DOI: 10.3390/molecules27186021
3 Insights on
- Reduced Anxiety
- Low evidence
currently available data do not fully support the use of peppermint for anxiety disorders and depression
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No

Lavender and Reduced Anxiety

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

Ylang-ylang and lavender aromatherapy for paediatric dental anxiety: A randomized control trial in first restorative appointment.

Medicinal Plants Used for Anxiety, Depression, or Stress Treatment: An Update.