Lavender for Anxiety Relief

Research suggests that lavender may offer some benefit for anxiety and stress relief, though the overall evidence remains inconclusive. A 2012 systematic review and meta-analysis examining 15 randomized clinical trials found that roughly half of the studies showed lavender to be more effective than control conditions, with oral lavender supplements appearing to have the most promising results among the delivery methods studied. However, the authors noted that the majority of included trials were of poor methodological quality, which significantly limits the strength of any conclusions that can be drawn. More rigorous, independently conducted studies are needed before firm statements about lavender's effectiveness for anxiety can be made.