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Efficacy of Lavender Essential Oil in Reducing Stress, Insomnia, and Anxiety in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review.

  • 2024-12-05
  • Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) 12(23)
    • Eulàlia Vidal-García
    • Maria Vallhonrat-Bueno
    • Fabià Pla-Consuegra
    • Alícia Orta-Ramírez

Study Design

Type
Review
Sample size
n = 413
Population
413 participants that used lavender EO during the second or third trimester of pregnancy
Methods
We conducted a comprehensive literature search in 11 databases that included clinical trials published between 2000 and 2022

Background/objectives

During pregnancy, women can experience stress, anxiety, and insomnia, which affect their health and wellbeing. Since many conventional medications are contraindicated for pregnant women, there is a need to find alternative therapies for alleviating their discomfort. Lavender essential oil (EO) is recognized for its calming and relaxing properties; therefore, our goal was to review current knowledge of lavender EO use to reduce anxiety and stress as well as to improve sleep quality in pregnant women.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive literature search in 11 databases that included clinical trials published between 2000 and 2022.

Results

Of the 251 articles found, only 6, comprising a total of 413 participants that used lavender EO during the second or third trimester of pregnancy, met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. One trial measured sleep quality, one measured anxiety, two measured both anxiety and stress, and two measured only stress. All studies reported significant (at least p < 0.05) improvement in the respective conditions and no adverse effects.

Conclusions

The results obtained suggest that although the use of lavender EO during pregnancy has shown to have certain efficacy, given the small number of participants and lack of strong scientific literature, more studies are needed to provide further evidence on this topic.

Research Insights

  • Lavender→Improved Sleep Quality

    One trial measured sleep quality ... reported significant (at least p < 0.05) improvement.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Lavender→Reduced Anxiety

    All studies reported significant (at least p < 0.05) improvement in the respective conditions ... one measured anxiety, two measured both anxiety and stress.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
  • Lavender→Reduced Stress

    All studies reported significant (at least p < 0.05) improvement in the respective conditions ... two measured both anxiety and stress, and two measured only stress.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small

Adverse Events Reported

  • Lavender→Overall tolerability

    All studies reported significant (at least p < 0.05) improvement in the respective conditions and no adverse effects.

    Finding
    Reported
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