Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) as a Herb: Uses, Evidence and Safety

Read this first. This page is about lavender the plant and the oral products that were tested in trials. It is not a reason to swallow aromatherapy or essential oils sold for other purposes, and the results below do not transfer to them. For oil safety, see the essential oils section. NIH says there are theoretical reasons to suspect lavender might interact with some sedative drugs or herbs, which matters especially before surgery. [1] Little is known about safety in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. [1]

Overview

NIH describes lavender as an aromatic, evergreen plant native to the Mediterranean region, long used in bath products, perfumes and aromatherapy, and promoted by mouth for anxiety and stress. [1] The tea has its own page, Lavender Tea, and the oil is covered separately.

Scientific name and plant part

Lavandula angustifolia Mill. is the accepted name in the GBIF plant database, in the family Lamiaceae. [2] The EU regulator's monograph covers the flower (Lavandulae flos). [3] NIH lists English lavender and common lavender as names. [1] Other lavender species exist, so check the Latin name on any product and on any study.

Traditional use (not proof)

The NIH LiverTox record says extracts, oils and teas made from lavender are used for their soothing qualities, as a sedative, mild pain reliever and sleep aid. [4] The EU herbal medicines committee adopted a monograph in 2012 for lavender flower as a traditional herbal medicinal product for relief of mild symptoms of mental stress and exhaustion and to aid sleep, based exclusively on long-standing use. [3]

What research shows (research, not tradition)

NIH says more high-quality research is needed to reach reliable conclusions about lavender. [1]

An amount appears in the table only because the meta-analysis reports it for that product; it is not advice. A clinician or pharmacist decides what is right for a person.

Forms and why the form matters

The EU monograph lists lavender flower as a herbal tea and as liquid preparations for oral use. [3] NIH treats the capsule product, tea, syrup, aromatherapy and skin products as separate subjects with separate evidence. [1] A result for one form does not apply to another. See Standardized Herbal Extracts Explained.

Safety and who should ask first

• Foods: NIH says it is likely safe to consume lavender in the amounts typically used in foods. [1]
• Oral products: might be safe short term at the amounts tested, but some people have diarrhea, headache, nausea or burping. [1]
• Aromatherapy and skin: possibly safe, but may cause headache or coughing, and topical lavender may cause allergic skin reactions. A few cases of breast tissue swelling were reported in children using lavender-containing skin products, though it is unclear lavender was responsible. [1]
• Medicines: theoretical interactions with sedatives (above). [1] The EU monograph states no interactions were reported. [3] See How Interactions Work.
• Driving: the EU monograph says lavender flower medicines may impair the ability to drive and use machines. [3]
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: the EU monograph says safety has not been established and use is not recommended. [3] See Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.
• Children: the EU monograph does not recommend use under 12. [3]
• Liver: the NIH LiverTox record says lavender has not been implicated in liver enzyme rises or clinically apparent liver injury. [4]
• Before surgery: tell the surgical team (see above). See Herbs Before and After Surgery.
• Quality: see Quality Testing and Certifications.

Official statements

• NCCIH (US NIH): more high-quality research needed; oral lavender oil product studies are promising but limited. [1]
• European Medicines Agency, HMPC (2012 monograph): traditional herbal medicinal product for mild mental stress and to aid sleep, based on long-standing use. [3]