Supplement

Lavender

Lavender is a fragrant herb whose oil contains linalool and linalyl acetate, compounds that appear to calm nerve activity by acting on GABA-A receptors and calcium channels. People mostly look at it for stress, and across four studies with 1,893 participants, anxiety symptoms improved, with moderate evidence. Some studies took place in dental offices using lavender scent, and heart rate and blood pressure findings came from small studies.

Sources: PMID 16095639; PMID 19968674

Updated 30 September 2026
How we grade
16 studies cited

Best evidence: Grade B
Conditions studied: 18
Outcomes: 57
Graded outcomes: 0481

Evidence by condition

Strong
Moderate
Limited
Very limited

18 conditions

Mental Resilience

Mental Resilience: outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Anxiety Symptoms Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	4 studies	1,893 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms How Strong is the Evidence for the Anxiolytic Efficacy of Lavender?: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Asian Nurs Res · PMID 31743795 Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental officePhysiol Behav · PMID 16095639 The effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomised-controlled trialCommunity Dent Oral Epidemiol · PMID 19968674 A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorderPhytomedicine · PMID 19962288
	Cortisol	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	2,102 people
Studies that measured cortisol Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infantsEarly Hum Dev · PMID 18053656
	Heart Rate	Improves (the measure goes down)			372 people

Anxiety Disorders Other

Anxiety Disorders Other: outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Anxiety Symptoms Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	4 studies	1,893 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms How Strong is the Evidence for the Anxiolytic Efficacy of Lavender?: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Asian Nurs Res · PMID 31743795 Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental officePhysiol Behav · PMID 16095639 The effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomised-controlled trialCommunity Dent Oral Epidemiol · PMID 19968674 A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorderPhytomedicine · PMID 19962288
	Sleep Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		5 studies	221 people
Studies that measured sleep quality [Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students]Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi · PMID 16520572 The Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Lavender Essential Oil in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Holist Nurs Pract · PMID 40600743 An olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and womenChronobiol Int · PMID 16298774 Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of 'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trialInt Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 20512042 Effect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in ischemic heart disease patients hospitalized in intensive care units of heart hospitals of the Isfahan University of Medical SciencesIran J Nurs Midwifery Res · PMID 22049287
	Blood Pressure	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	372 people
Studies that measured blood pressure The effects of lavender oil inhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activityJ Med Assoc Thai · PMID 22612017
	Cortisol	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	2,102 people
Studies that measured cortisol Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infantsEarly Hum Dev · PMID 18053656
	Heart Rate	Improves (the measure goes down)			372 people

Stress

Anxiety Symptoms: improves
Blood Pressure: improves
Cortisol: improves

Stress: outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Anxiety Symptoms Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	4 studies	1,893 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms How Strong is the Evidence for the Anxiolytic Efficacy of Lavender?: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Asian Nurs Res · PMID 31743795 Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental officePhysiol Behav · PMID 16095639 The effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomised-controlled trialCommunity Dent Oral Epidemiol · PMID 19968674 A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorderPhytomedicine · PMID 19962288
	Blood Pressure	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	372 people
Studies that measured blood pressure The effects of lavender oil inhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activityJ Med Assoc Thai · PMID 22612017
	Cortisol	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	2,102 people
Studies that measured cortisol Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infantsEarly Hum Dev · PMID 18053656
	Heart Rate	Improves (the measure goes down)			372 people

Anxiety Disorders (Other)

Anxiety Symptoms: improves
Sleep Quality: improves
Blood Pressure: changes; see studies

Anxiety Disorders (Other): outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Anxiety Symptoms Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	4 studies	1,893 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms How Strong is the Evidence for the Anxiolytic Efficacy of Lavender?: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Asian Nurs Res · PMID 31743795 Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental officePhysiol Behav · PMID 16095639 The effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomised-controlled trialCommunity Dent Oral Epidemiol · PMID 19968674 A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorderPhytomedicine · PMID 19962288
	Sleep Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		5 studies	221 people
Studies that measured sleep quality [Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students]Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi · PMID 16520572 The Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Lavender Essential Oil in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Holist Nurs Pract · PMID 40600743 An olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and womenChronobiol Int · PMID 16298774 Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of 'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trialInt Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 20512042 Effect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in ischemic heart disease patients hospitalized in intensive care units of heart hospitals of the Isfahan University of Medical SciencesIran J Nurs Midwifery Res · PMID 22049287
	Blood Pressure	Changes; see studies		1 study	372 people
Studies that measured blood pressure The effects of lavender oil inhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activityJ Med Assoc Thai · PMID 22612017
	Cortisol	Changes; see studies		1 study	2,102 people
Studies that measured cortisol Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infantsEarly Hum Dev · PMID 18053656
	Heart Rate	Changes; see studies			372 people

Neurasthenia

Anxiety Symptoms: improves
Sleep Quality: improves
Restlessness: improves

Neurasthenia: outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Anxiety Symptoms Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	4 studies	47 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms How Strong is the Evidence for the Anxiolytic Efficacy of Lavender?: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Asian Nurs Res · PMID 31743795 Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental officePhysiol Behav · PMID 16095639 The effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomised-controlled trialCommunity Dent Oral Epidemiol · PMID 19968674 A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorderPhytomedicine · PMID 19962288
	Sleep Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		5 studies	47 people
Studies that measured sleep quality [Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students]Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi · PMID 16520572 The Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Lavender Essential Oil in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Holist Nurs Pract · PMID 40600743 An olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and womenChronobiol Int · PMID 16298774 Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of 'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trialInt Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 20512042 Effect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in ischemic heart disease patients hospitalized in intensive care units of heart hospitals of the Isfahan University of Medical SciencesIran J Nurs Midwifery Res · PMID 22049287
	Restlessness	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	47 people
Studies that measured restlessness Phase II trial on the effects of Silexan in patients with neurasthenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or somatization disorderPhytomedicine · PMID 22475718
	Neurasthenia Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)			47 people
	Subjective Well-Being	Improves (the measure goes up)			47 people

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Anxiety Symptoms: improves
Sleep Quality: improves
Restlessness: improves

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Anxiety Symptoms Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	4 studies	47 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms How Strong is the Evidence for the Anxiolytic Efficacy of Lavender?: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Asian Nurs Res · PMID 31743795 Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental officePhysiol Behav · PMID 16095639 The effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomised-controlled trialCommunity Dent Oral Epidemiol · PMID 19968674 A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorderPhytomedicine · PMID 19962288
	Sleep Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		5 studies	47 people
Studies that measured sleep quality [Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students]Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi · PMID 16520572 The Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Lavender Essential Oil in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Holist Nurs Pract · PMID 40600743 An olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and womenChronobiol Int · PMID 16298774 Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of 'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trialInt Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 20512042 Effect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in ischemic heart disease patients hospitalized in intensive care units of heart hospitals of the Isfahan University of Medical SciencesIran J Nurs Midwifery Res · PMID 22049287
	Restlessness	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	47 people
Studies that measured restlessness Phase II trial on the effects of Silexan in patients with neurasthenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or somatization disorderPhytomedicine · PMID 22475718
	Depression Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)			47 people
	Neurasthenia Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)			47 people
	Subjective Well-Being	Improves (the measure goes up)			47 people

Somatization Disorder

Anxiety Symptoms: improves
Sleep Quality: improves
Restlessness: improves

Somatization Disorder: outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Anxiety Symptoms Moderate Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Moderate effect	4 studies	47 people
Studies that measured anxiety symptoms How Strong is the Evidence for the Anxiolytic Efficacy of Lavender?: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Asian Nurs Res · PMID 31743795 Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental officePhysiol Behav · PMID 16095639 The effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomised-controlled trialCommunity Dent Oral Epidemiol · PMID 19968674 A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorderPhytomedicine · PMID 19962288
	Sleep Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		5 studies	47 people
Studies that measured sleep quality [Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students]Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi · PMID 16520572 The Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Lavender Essential Oil in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Holist Nurs Pract · PMID 40600743 An olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and womenChronobiol Int · PMID 16298774 Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of 'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trialInt Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 20512042 Effect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in ischemic heart disease patients hospitalized in intensive care units of heart hospitals of the Isfahan University of Medical SciencesIran J Nurs Midwifery Res · PMID 22049287
	Restlessness	Improves (the measure goes up)		1 study	47 people
Studies that measured restlessness Phase II trial on the effects of Silexan in patients with neurasthenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or somatization disorderPhytomedicine · PMID 22475718
	Depression Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)			47 people
	Neurasthenia Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)			47 people
	Subjective Well-Being	Improves (the measure goes up)			47 people

General Cardiovascular Health

Blood Pressure: improves
Body Temperature: improves
Heart Rate: improves

General Cardiovascular Health: outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Blood Pressure Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	1 study	20 people
Studies that measured blood pressure The effects of lavender oil inhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activityJ Med Assoc Thai · PMID 22612017
	Body Temperature	Improves (the measure goes up)			20 people
	Heart Rate	Improves (the measure goes down)			20 people
	Sedation	Improves (the measure goes up)			20 people
	Stress Signs and Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)			20 people

Infant Health

Cortisol: improves
Infant crying: improves

Infant Health: outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Cortisol Small Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	1 study	30 people
Studies that measured cortisol Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infantsEarly Hum Dev · PMID 18053656
	Infant crying	Improves (the measure goes up)			30 people

Insomnia

Heart Rate: improves
Heart Rate Variability
Sleep Quality: improves

Insomnia: outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Heart Rate Small Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect		67 people
	Heart Rate Variability No effect		NoneNo effect		67 people
	Sleep Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		5 studies	119 people
Studies that measured sleep quality [Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students]Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi · PMID 16520572 The Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Lavender Essential Oil in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Holist Nurs Pract · PMID 40600743 An olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and womenChronobiol Int · PMID 16298774 Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of 'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trialInt Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 20512042 Effect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in ischemic heart disease patients hospitalized in intensive care units of heart hospitals of the Isfahan University of Medical SciencesIran J Nurs Midwifery Res · PMID 22049287
	Insomnia Signs and Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	10 people
Studies that measured insomnia signs and symptoms A single-blinded, randomized pilot study evaluating the aroma of Lavandula augustifolia as a treatment for mild insomniaJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 16131287

Menopause

Heart Rate: improves
Sleep Quality: improves
Heart Rate Variability: improves

Menopause: outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	Heart Rate Small Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect		67 people
	Sleep Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		5 studies	67 people
Studies that measured sleep quality [Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students]Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi · PMID 16520572 The Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Lavender Essential Oil in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Holist Nurs Pract · PMID 40600743 An olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and womenChronobiol Int · PMID 16298774 Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of 'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trialInt Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 20512042 Effect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in ischemic heart disease patients hospitalized in intensive care units of heart hospitals of the Isfahan University of Medical SciencesIran J Nurs Midwifery Res · PMID 22049287
	Heart Rate Variability	Improves (the measure goes down)			67 people

Mood Improvement

Heart Rate: improves
Sedation: improves
Stress Signs and Symptoms: improves

Mood Improvement: outcomes studied for Lavender
Outcome	Effect	Size	People
Heart Rate Small Decrease	Improves (the measure goes down)	Small effect	20 people
Sedation	Improves (the measure goes up)		20 people
Stress Signs and Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		20 people

Sleep Health

Sleep Quality: improves

Sleep Health: outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Sleep Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		5 studies	628 people

Ischemic Heart Disease

Sleep Quality: improves

Ischemic Heart Disease: outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Sleep Quality	Improves (the measure goes up)		5 studies	64 people

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Anxiety Symptoms: improves

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Anxiety Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		4 studies	77 people

Migraine Headache

Migraine Severity: improves

Migraine Headache: outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Migraine Severity	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	47 people

Primary Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Cramps)

Dysmenorrhea Symptoms: improves

Primary Dysmenorrhea (Menstrual Cramps): outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Dysmenorrhea Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	44 people

Canker Sores

Canker Sores Symptoms: improves

Canker Sores: outcomes studied for Lavender
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Canker Sores Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	115 people

What the published studies found

2 automated readings

Automated reading of the published studies (Decosa evidence engine), for outcomes Dr. Grey has not graded yet. It is not a Dr. Grey grade and does not change one. How it is read

Sleep quality
The studies disagree. A Cochrane review (2020, 13 studies, 708 people) found little or no difference in sleep quality, while 10 of the 11 studies read found an improvement. The evidence is very weak.
11 studies counted of 11 read: 8 reviews and 3 trials (153 people in the trials).
1. Meta-analysis, 2020; 13 studies, 708 people; people with dementia in institutional care: no clear difference (the review the verdict rests on). We did not find evidence of benefit on these outcomes. Aromatherapy for dementiaPubMed 32813272
2. Meta-analysis, 2025; 11 studies, 628 people: improves. sleep-enhancing effect of lavender essential oil intervention in adults was significant The Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Lavender Essential Oil in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisPubMed 40600743
3. Meta-analysis, 2025; 9 studies; older adults with sleep disorders: improves. significant improvement in the total score of sleep quality A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on lavender for sleep disorders in older adultsPubMed 41057090
4. Meta-analysis, 2023; 3 studies; postpartum mothers: improves. sleep quality in the group receiving lavender improved The effect of lavender on mothers sleep quality in the postpartum period: a systematic review and meta-analysisPubMed 35080353
5. Systematic review, 2022; 13 studies, 838 people; patients with cancer: improves. lavender was significantly effective in the reduction of anxiety and pain, and improved sleep quality A systematic review of the effect of lavender on cancer complicationsPubMed 35462027
6. Systematic review, 2022; 20 studies; adults without insomnia: improves. Lavender essential oil was associated with improved sleep quality The Effect of Lavender on Sleep Quality in Individuals Without Insomnia: A Systematic ReviewPubMed 35708558
7. Meta-analysis, 2022; 4 studies; prenatal and postnatal women: improves. produced a 0.98-point improvement in postnatal mothers' quality of sleep [Fatigue relief by aromatherapy use in prenatal and postnatal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis]PubMed 36312866
8. Systematic review, 2019; 3 studies; menopausal and elderly women: improves. Effect of Lavender on Sleep, Sexual Desire, Vasomotor, Psychological and Physical Symptom among Menopausal and Elderly Women: A Systematic ReviewPubMed 31497578
9. Randomised trial, 2026; 90 people; elderly individuals: improves. PSQI total score was 6.11±2.86 in the pre-test and 4.33±2.07 in the post-test The effect of lavender scent recommended to the elderly on sleep quality and physical balance: A randomized controlled trialPubMed 42623910
10. Randomised trial, 2024; 54 people: improves. Sleep quality scores significantly increased (p = <0.001) The effect of lavender and bergamot oil applied via inhalation on the anxiety level and sleep quality of surgical intensive care unit patientsPubMed 38490827
11. Randomised trial, 2021; 9 people: improves. All participants reported better sleep quality A pilot study on essential oil aroma stimulation for enhancing slow-wave EEG in sleeping brainPubMed 33441798
Automated reading of the published studies (Decosa evidence engine), run 30 Sep 2026. It reads abstracts, can miss studies, and a repeat run can differ.
Stress
The best available review (2024, 20 studies) found a large improvement in stress. That review studied patients scheduled for surgical procedures. 7 of the 8 studies read agree; 1 found no clear answer. The evidence is moderate.
8 studies counted of 10 read: 5 reviews and 3 trials (146 people in the trials).
1. Meta-analysis, 2024; 20 studies; patients scheduled for surgical procedures: improves (the review the verdict rests on). The anxiety level of the experimental group to which lavender oil was applied before the … Effect of Lavender Oil on Preoperative Anxiety: Systematic Review and Meta-analysisPubMed 37966400
2. Systematic review, 2024; 6 studies, 413 people; pregnant women in second or third trimester: improves. Efficacy of Lavender Essential Oil in Reducing Stress, Insomnia, and Anxiety in Pregnant Women: A Systematic ReviewPubMed 39685078
3. Meta-analysis, 2022; 21 studies, 1,595 people: improves. The effect of lavender on stress in individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysisPubMed 35429599
4. Meta-analysis, 2021; 34 studies; people with sleep problems: improves. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the clinical effects of aroma inhalation therapy on sleep problemsPubMed 33655928
5. Meta-analysis, 2012; 15 studies: unclear: evidence too weak to tell. favour lavender over controls for at least one relevant outcome Is lavender an anxiolytic drug? A systematic review of randomised clinical trialsPubMed 22464012
6. Randomised trial, 2024; 45 people; term newborns aged 1-5 days: improves. Neonatal Pain and Stress Rating Scale scores of the newborns in the lavender massage group … Effects of Aromatherapy on Pain, Stress, and Behaviors of Newborns: A Randomized Controlled TrialPubMed 39480678
7. Crossover trial, 2021; 9 people; healthy adults: improves. α-amylase (p < 0.05) and CgA (p < 0.01) levels significantly decreased Influences of Lavender Essential Oil Inhalation on Stress Responses during Short-Duration Sleep Cycles: A Pilot StudyPubMed 34356287
8. Randomised trial, 2016; 92 people; healthy adults: improves. lavender but not placebo aromas significantly benefited post-stress performance Aroma Effects on Physiologic and Cognitive Function Following Acute Stress: A Mechanism InvestigationPubMed 27355279
Automated reading of the published studies (Decosa evidence engine), run 30 Sep 2026. It reads abstracts, can miss studies, and a repeat run can differ.

Key findings

Anxiety SymptomsMental ResilienceImproves (the measure goes down)
Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)
CortisolInfant HealthImproves (the measure goes down)

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Third-party tested Lavender products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.

Grade B

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Studies cited

16 studies from PubMed

Phase II trial on the effects of Silexan in patients with neurasthenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or somatization disorderPhytomedicine · PMID 22475718
The effects of lavender oil inhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activityJ Med Assoc Thai · PMID 22612017
A single-blinded, randomized pilot study evaluating the aroma of Lavandula augustifolia as a treatment for mild insomniaJ Altern Complement Med · PMID 16131287
[Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students]Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi · PMID 16520572
The Sleep-Enhancing Effect of Lavender Essential Oil in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Holist Nurs Pract · PMID 40600743
An olfactory stimulus modifies nighttime sleep in young men and womenChronobiol Int · PMID 16298774
Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of 'subsyndromal' anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trialInt Clin Psychopharmacol · PMID 20512042
How Strong is the Evidence for the Anxiolytic Efficacy of Lavender?: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Asian Nurs Res · PMID 31743795
Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental officePhysiol Behav · PMID 16095639
The effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomised-controlled trialCommunity Dent Oral Epidemiol · PMID 19968674
Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infantsEarly Hum Dev · PMID 18053656
Effect of aromatherapy massage on dysmenorrhea in Turkish studentsPain Manag Nurs · PMID 23158705
Effect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in ischemic heart disease patients hospitalized in intensive care units of heart hospitals of the Isfahan University of Medical SciencesIran J Nurs Midwifery Res · PMID 22049287
A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorderPhytomedicine · PMID 19962288
Topical lavender oil for the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcerationAm J Dent · PMID 22558691
Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trialEur Neurol · PMID 22517298