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Lavender (scent or tea)

Lavandula

A listing is not a recommendation.

Origin: The Mediterranean and Europe · Tradition: European herbal practice and aroma use · Food & herbs

What it is

Used for unease and sleep as a scent (inhaled), a tea, or a standardised preparation (such as Silexan). Swallowing essential oil is dangerous if the product is not chosen carefully.

A short introduction (not a treatment instruction)

1. Start with a low-dose scent or drink, such as a scent by the pillow or a tea.
2. Do not swallow essential oil as a neat liquid, and do not put neat oil on the skin.
3. Consult a professional about a long-term high dose if there is a concern about hormone sensitivity.

Symptoms or aims often mentioned with this practice

• Stress or unease
• Sleeplessness

Research notes (this is not a promise of effect)

C: Preliminary, small, or lower-quality studies, or mixed results. These notes should not be over-read

There is preliminary to partly moderate research on unease (especially for certain oral preparations). The same finding cannot be extended to aroma oils in general.

Sources

• NCCIH: Lavender
• NCCIH: Anxiety and Complementary Health Approaches