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A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on lavender for sleep disorders in older adults.

  • 2025-11
  • Experimental gerontology 211
    • Mohadeseh Ostovar
    • Mohammad Hamed Khademizadeh
    • Foroogh Namjoyan
    • Asma Kazemi
    • Sina Vakili
    • Seyed Hamdollah Mosavat
    • Mohsen Mohit
    • Mohammad Hashem Hashempur

Study Design

Type
Meta-Analysis
Population
aged patients (more than 60 years old) with sleep disorders
Methods
Systematic review and meta-analysis; searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus; included clinical trials evaluating lavender on elderly with sleep disorders; extracted data on formulation, dosage, duration, measurements, findings, adverse events; random-effects meta-analysis

Background

The present study aimed to gather existing findings related to the effect of lavender on improving sleep disorders in older adults.

Methods

In this systematic review, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched using keywords ((lavender OR Lavandula) AND (sleep OR insomnia OR "sleep disturbance" OR "sleep quality" OR "sleep disorder") AND (elderly OR elder OR aging OR aging OR "older adult" OR geriatric OR geriatrics)) from their inception up to August 20, 2025. Only clinical trials evaluating the effect of lavender on aged patients (more than 60 years old) with sleep disorders were included. Then, data about drug formulation, dosage, duration of treatment, measurements, findings, and adverse events were recorded. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate the pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) and their corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CI).

Results

In this study, 84 articles were evaluated, and ten articles were selected for full review. In nine studies (90 %), lavender significantly improved sleep disorders. The most used scale among the articles was the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which was used in seven studies (70 %). All the studies reported using lavender in the medicinal form of inhalation. The results of the meta-analysis indicated a significant improvement in the total score of sleep quality (SMD: -1.20, 95 % CI: -1.73, -0.68, I2: 87.5 %), with a more pronounced effect observed in studies that utilized the PSQI questionnaire.

Conclusion

Based on preliminary evidence from this review, lavender may effectively treat sleep disorders, especially in the elderly. However, more research is required to fully understand its effectiveness and safety, especially with long-term use.

Research Insights

  • Lavender→Improved Sleep Quality

    The results of the meta-analysis indicated a significant improvement in the total score of sleep quality (SMD: -1.20, 95% CI: -1.73, -0.68, I²: 87.5%)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    Not specified in abstract (inhalation form only)

Adverse Events Reported

  • Lavender→Overall tolerability

    All the studies reported using lavender in the medicinal form of inhalation.

    Finding
    Reported
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