Lavender Oil for Anxiety: What Studies Suggest, and Their Limits

Medical note: This article discusses foods and researched botanicals. It does not claim to prevent, treat, or cure disease. Supplements are not a substitute for food, and studied amounts are not personal prescriptions.

Common Names

lavender, English lavender, common lavender, French lavender

Latin Names

Lavandula angustifolia

Background

Lavender is an aromatic, evergreen plant that is native to the Mediterranean region, including the countries of France, Spain, Andorra, and Italy.

The name lavender comes from the Latin verb “lavare,” meaning “to wash.” Lavender’s popular scent has commonly been used as an ingredient in bath products, perfumes, and aromatherapy.

Lavender is promoted as an oral (by mouth) dietary supplement for calming anxiety, stress, and other conditions. It is also promoted for aromatherapy and topical use (application to the skin).

How Much Do We Know?

Studies have been done on the use of lavender products for a variety of conditions, but more high-quality research is needed to reach reliable conclusions about its effectiveness.

What Have We Learned?

Studies have suggested that a lavender oil product, taken orally, might be beneficial for anxiety, including anxiety with co-occurring symptoms of depression. However, the research has several limitations, such as the small sample sizes of the studies, a lack of independent funding and testing, and a lack of participant diversity.

Initial reports of small sample size have indicated that oral lavender capsules or lavender tea might reduce symptoms of depression in some people, but because the research is preliminary, it should be interpreted with caution. Topical (on the skin) lavender does not seem to have an effect on symptoms of depression.

One preliminary study with seventy-two postmenopausal women aged 50-65 years suggested that a lavender oil product, taken orally, might offer some relief for menopause-related sexual dysfunction, but more reliable evidence is needed to confirm effects.

It’s unclear whether aromatherapy with lavender oil has benefits for anxiety, stress, symptoms of depression, some types of pain, sleep quality or insomnia, or other conditions. However, some people have reported feeling a sense of improved quality of life from aromatherapy with lavender oil.

One preliminary study suggested that lavender syrup might reduce cough severity in people with COVID-19; however, more reliable evidence is needed to confirm any effects.

What Do We Know About Safety?

It is likely safe to consume lavender in the amounts typically used in foods.

Oral lavender products might be safe in the short-term and in the amounts tested in studies of anxiety or other conditions. However, some people may experience adverse effects such as diarrhea, headache, nausea, or burping.

Aromatherapy with lavender oil is considered possibly safe, but it may cause headache or coughing.

Topical products containing lavender may cause allergic skin reactions in some people. A few cases of swelling of breast tissue have been reported in children who used topical products containing lavender. However, it’s unclear whether the lavender was responsible for the breast swelling, a condition that can have many causes.

Little is known about whether it’s safe to use lavender during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Keep in Mind

Depression can be a serious illness. If you or someone in your family may have depression, consult a health care provider.

Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.

Source: Lavender — NCCIH. This publication is in the public domain. Source last updated: February 2025.