30/06/2025
Lavender has long been a traditional go-to for stress & anxiety. It's so inspiring to see research that explains how it helps.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is often treated with drugs called benzodiazepines. They can be effective, but can make people drowsy and are known to be addictive.
Because lavender has shown calming effects in previous research, scientists wondered if it could help people with GAD. So they ran a clinical trial to test a lavender oil capsule (called Silexan) against a commonly used anxiety drug, lorazepam (a benzodiazepine).
The study lasted 6 weeks and involved adults diagnosed with GAD. They measured anxiety levels before and after treatment. Both groups—those taking Silexan and those taking lorazepam—had similar drops in their anxiety scores, about 45–46%. Both physical symptoms of anxiety (like tension or stomach issues) and mental symptoms (like worry and fear) improved.
Other measures used in the study—including self-reports, worry questionnaires, sleep tracking, and doctor assessments—also showed similar improvements.
The study concluded that Silexan could be a safe, effective alternative to benzodiazepines for treating generalized anxiety.
Other studies have found that the main component in lavender oil (linalool) interacts with receptors for the brain's main neurotransmitter, GABA. It allows GABA to do its job more effectively.
*
---> Have you ever used lavender for stress or anxiety?
*
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about any mental health concerns or before starting new treatments.
Woelk & Schläfke, 2010 | Lee et al., 2018 | Milanos et al., 2017
