Research synthesisModerate evidenceModerate effect11 studies · 10 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful
Across 11 studies, 10 showed beneficial effects of lavender on reducing anxiety, with predominantly moderate effect sizes. Most studies used inhaled lavender essential oil, typically for 4 weeks or longer, in clinical populations such as surgical patients, breast cancer survivors, and adults with hypertension. Effects were observed as early as 7 days and sustained up to 150 days in one trial.
- Effective dose range: Inhaled lavender essential oil, typically 15-minute sessions daily or nightly; oral dose of 500 mg/day lavender flower powder capsule also showed benefit.
- Studied populations: pregnant women undergoing c-section, breast cancer survivors on chemotherapy, hypertensive adults, ICD patients, postmenopausal women, children with dental anxiety
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). The evidence base includes several small RCTs and reviews with limited sample sizes; the one neutral study was a broader review not specifically focused on lavender. Most studies used aromatherapy (inhalation), and effects for oral lavender are less well-characterized.
Generated Jul 16, 2026