Easy Lavender Tea Recipe

Lavender – Lavendula agustifolia – has a floral and herbaceous taste and aroma.  Drink this Easy Lavender Tea Recipe to help calm the nerves, reduce headaches, and promote good sleep.

By:  Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, Registered Aromatherapist, LMT, RYT

Easy Lavender Tea Recipe Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp of fresh organically grown lavender tops, or 1 Tbsp of dried lavender
• 2 cups of boiling water
• Honey to taste

Easy Lavender Tea Recipe Instructions

Instructions – Pour the hot water over the flower tops.  Steep 5 minutes.  Strain, add honey to taste, enjoy.

Easy Lavender Tea Recipe Research

• Those patients who inhaled a blend of lavender, ylang ylang and bergamot had reduces psychological stress responses, serum cortisol levels, and blood pressure.  From:  Hwang, J. H. (2006). [The effects of the inhalation method using essential oils on blood pressure and stress responses of clients with essential hypertension]. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 36(7), 1123-1134.
• This provided a review of studies demonstrating an anxiolytic effect of lavender.  Generoso, M. B., Soares, A., Taiar, I. T., Cordeiro, Q., & Shiozawa, P. (2017). Lavender oil preparation (Silexan) for treating anxiety: an updated meta-analysis. Journal of clinical psychopharmacology, 37(1), 115-117.
• Both adults and infants showed a reduced depressed affect in their EEG with inhalation of rosemary and lavender.  From:  Sanders, C., Diego, M., Fernandez, M., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., & Roca, A. (2002). EEG asymmetry responses to lavender and rosemary aromas in adults and infants. International Journal of Neuroscience, 112(11), 1305-1320.
• Aromatherapy of lavender, peppermint, rosemary, and clary sage reduced stress in nursing students.  From:  Park, M. K., & Lee, E. S. (2004). [The effect of aroma inhalation method on stress responses of nursing students]. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 34(2), 344-351.
• Linalool applied to the skin with a mask covering the nose to prevent smelling had a sedative effect in humans.  From:  Heuberger, E., Redhammer, S., & Buchbauer, G. (2004). Transdermal Absorption of ()-Linalool Induces Autonomic Deactivation but has No Impact on Ratings of Well-Being in Humans. Neuropsychopharmacology, 29(10).
• Lavender eased anxiety of subjects undergoing medical procedures by showing a significant increases in parasympathetic activity. From:  Grunebaum, L. D., Murdock, J., Castanedo‐Tardan, M. P., & Baumann, L. S. (2011). Effects of lavender olfactory input on cosmetic procedures. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 10(2), 89-93.
• Aromatherapy with a blend of lemon, lavender, and ylang ylang was effective in lowering systolic blood pressure and the sympathetic nervous system   From:  Cha, J. H., Lee, S. H., & Yoo, Y. S. (2010). Effects of Aromatherapy on Changes in the Autonomic Nervous System, Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity and Aortic Augmentation Index in Patients with Essential Hypertension. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 40(5).
• Lavender aroma reduced task related anxiety.  From:  Burnett, K. M., Solterbeck, L. A., & Strapp, C. M. (2004). Scent and mood state following an anxiety-provoking task. Psychological reports, 95(2), 707-722.
• Inhalation of an essential oil blended with lavender, ylang-ylang, marjoram, and neroli had a relaxing effect and reduced blood pressure in humans.  From:  Kim, I. H., Kim, C., Seong, K., Hur, M. H., Lim, H. M., & Lee, M. S. (2012). Essential oil inhalation on blood pressure and salivary cortisol levels in prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012.
• Lavender inhalation had a relaxing effect, causing a significant decrease of blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature. From:  MPham, W. S., & Siripornpanich, V. (2012). The effects of lavender oil inhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activity. J Med Assoc Thai, 95(4), 598-606.
• Lavender aromatherapy significantly decreased stress levels before needle insertion. From:  Kim, S., Kim, H. J., Yeo, J. S., Hong, S. J., Lee, J. M., & Jeon, Y. (2011). The effect of lavender oil on stress, bispectral index values, and needle insertion pain in volunteers. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 17(9), 823-826.
• Lavender, marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint in an aromatherapy blend reduced depression and pain in those with arthritis.  From:  Kim, M. J., Nam, E. S., & Paik, S. I. (2005). [The effects of aromatherapy on pain, depression, and life satisfaction of arthritis patients]. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 35(1), 186-194.
• Lavender orally reduced anxiety disorder symptoms.  From:  Kasper, S., Gastpar, M., Müller, W. E., Volz, H. P., Möller, H. J., Dienel, A., & Schläfke, S. (2010). Efficacy and safety of silexan, a new, orally administered lavender oil preparation, in subthreshold anxiety disorder–evidence from clinical trials. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift, 160(21-22), 547-556.
• Depression and anxiety were reduced in hemodialysis patients with lavender aromatherapy.  From:  Itai, T., Amayasu, H., Kuribayashi, M., Kawamura, N., Okada, M., Momose, A., … & Kaneko, S. (2000). Psychological effects of aromatherapy on chronic hemodialysis patients. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 54(4), 393-397.
• Aromatherapy massage may reduce postpartum effects in women.  From:  Imura, M., Misao, H., & Ushijima, H. (2006). The Psychological Effects of Aromatherapy‐Massage in Healthy Postpartum Mothers. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 51(2), e21-e27.
• Lavender in bath oil may have an improved psychological effect.  From:  Morris, N. (2002). The effects of lavender (Lavendula angustifolium) baths on psychological well-being: two exploratory randomised control trials. Complementary therapies in medicine, 10(4), 223-228.
• Hospice patients inhaled lavender and showed a slight improvement in vital signs, depression, and sense of well-being.  From:  Louis, M., & Kowalski, S. D. (2002). Use of aromatherapy with hospice patients to decrease pain, anxiety, and depression and to promote an increased sense of well-being. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 19(6), 381-386.
• Lavender aroma reduced pre-procedure stress.  From:  Muzzarelli, L., Force, M., & Sebold, M. (2006). Aromatherapy and reducing preprocedural anxiety: A controlled prospective study. Gastroenterology Nursing, 29(6), 466-471.
• Lavender odor reduced mental stress and increased arousal.  From:  Motomura, N., Sakurai, A., & Yotsuya, Y. (2001). Reduction of mental stress with lavender odorant. Perceptual and motor skills, 93(3), 713-718.
• Lavender, geranium, rose,and jasmine in an aromatherapy massage may exert positive effects on blood pressure.  From:  Hur, M. H., Oh, H., Lee, M. S., Kim, C., Choi, A. N., & Shin, G. R. (2007). Effects of aromatherapy massage on blood pressure and lipid profile in korean climacteric women. International Journal of Neuroscience, 117(9), 1281-1287.
• Aromatherapy massage using lavender, chamomile, rosemary, and lemon reduced anxiety and improved self esteem.  From:  Rho, K. H., Han, S. H., Kim, K. S., & Lee, M. S. (2006). Effects of aromatherapy massage on anxiety and self-esteem in korean elderly women: a pilot study. International Journal of Neuroscience, 116(12), 1447-1455.
• Those who took oral treatments of a product with lavender had reduced neurasthenia or PSD symptoms.  From:  Uehleke, B., Schaper, S., Dienel, A., Schlaefke, S., & Stange, R. (2012). Phase II trial on the effects of Silexan in patients with neurasthenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or somatization disorder. Phytomedicine, 19(8), 665-671.
• A blend of lavender and bergamot essential oils had a relaxing effect in humans. From:  Hongratanaworakit, T. (2011). Aroma-therapeutic effects of massage blended essential oils on humans. Natural product communications, 6(8), 1199-1204.
• There was a sedative effect in mice from lavender and linalool.  From:  Buchbauer, G., Jirovetz, L., & Jäger, W. (1991). Aromatherapy: evidence for sedative effects of the essential oil of lavender after inhalation. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C, 46(11-12), 1067-1072
• Lavender tincture may be an effective adjuvant treatment for mild to moderate depression.  From:  Akhondzadeh, S., Kashani, L., Fotouhi, A., Jarvandi, S., Mobaseri, M., Moin, M., … & Taghizadeh, M. (2003). Comparison of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. tincture and imipramine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a double-blind, randomized trial. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 27(1), 123-127.
• A hand massage with bergamot, lavender, and frankincense reduced pain, anxiety, and depression in hospice patients.  From:  Chang, S. Y. (2008). Effects of aroma hand massage on pain, state anxiety and depression in hospice patients with terminal cancer. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 38(4), 493-502.
• Inhalation therapy of lavender and bergamot was very effective in balancing the autonomic nervous system in patients.  From:  Kim, M. W., Yoo, Y. S., Cho, O. H., & Jo, S. J. (2009). The effects of aroma inhalation therapy on anxiety and heart rate variability in the patients undergoing urodynamic study. Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science, 11(1), 32-41.
• Linalool is the major constituent involved in the anti-anxiety effect of lavender oil.  From:  Umezu, T., Nagano, K., Ito, H., Kosakai, K., Sakaniwa, M., & Morita, M. (2006). Anticonflict effects of lavender oil and identification of its active constituents. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 85(4), 713-721.
• Lavender odour may have an anxiolytic reaction in gerbils similar to diazepam.  From:  Bradley, B. F., Starkey, N. J., Brown, S. L., & Lea, R. W. (2007). Anxiolytic effects of Lavandula angustifolia odour on the Mongolian gerbil elevated plus maze. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 111(3), 517-525.
• Lavender oil does have anxiolytic effects in mice and can be sedative at higher doses.  From:  Shaw, D., Annett, J. M., Doherty, B., & Leslie, J. C. (2007). Anxiolytic effects of lavender oil inhalation on open-field behaviour in rats. Phytomedicine, 14(9), 613-620.Link:  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2007.03.007
• Inhaling lavender oil has anxiolytic behavioural effects.  From:  Shaw, D., Norwood, K., & Leslie, J. C. (2011). Chlordiazepoxide and lavender oil alter unconditioned anxiety-induced c-fos expression in the rat brain. Behavioural brain research, 224(1), 1-7.
• Linalyl acetate works synergistically with linalool as an inhaled anti-anxiety treatment.  From:  Takahashi, M., Satou, T., Ohashi, M., Hayashi, S., Sadamoto, K., & Koike, K. (2011). Interspecies comparison of chemical composition and anxiolytic-like effects of lavender oils upon inhalation. Natural product communications, 6(11), 1769-1774.
• Aroma inhalation decreased test taking anxiety.  From:  Kutlu, A. K., Yılmaz, E., & Çeçen, D. (2008). Effects of aroma inhalation on examination anxiety. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 3(4), 125-130.
• Inhaling lavender reduced stress load.  From:  Takahashi, M., Yoshino, A., Yamanaka, A., Asanuma, C., Satou, T., Hayashi, S., … & Koike, K. (2012). Effects of inhaled lavender essential oil on stress-loaded animals: changes in anxiety-related behavior and expression levels of selected mRNAs and proteins. Natural product communications, 7(11), 1539-1544.
• The serotonergic system is an important part of the anxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil.  From:  Chioca, L. R., Ferro, M. M., Baretta, I. P., Oliveira, S. M., Silva, C. R., Ferreira, J., … & Andreatini, R. (2013). Anxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation in mice: Participation of serotonergic but not GABA A/benzodiazepine neurotransmission. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 147(2), 412-418.  Anosmia did not interfere with the anxiolytic effect of lavender essential oil inhalation. From:  Chioca, L. R., Antunes, V. D., Ferro, M. M., Losso, E. M., & Andreatini, R. (2013).
• A hot lavender foot-bath created a small but significant change in autonomic nervous system activity.From:  Saeki, Y. (2000). The effect of foot-bath with or without the essential oil of lavender on the autonomic nervous system: a randomized trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 8(1), 2-7.
• Lavender aromatherapy showed modest efficacy in reducing agitated behaviour in patients with severe dementia.  From:  Holmes, C., Hopkins, V., Hensford, C., MacLaughlin, V., Wilkinson, D., & Rosenvinge, H. (2002).
• Lavender oil as a treatment for agitated behaviour in severe dementia: a placebo controlled study. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 17(4), 305-308.  Lavender inhalation may have modified mood to reduce the impression of pain.  From:  Gedney, J. J., Glover, T. L., & Fillingim, R. B. (2004). Sensory and affective pain discrimination after inhalation of essential oils. Psychosomatic Medicine, 66(4), 599-606.
• Linalool has a sedative effects on the Central Nervous System, including hypnotic, anticonvulsant and hypothermic properties, due to an inhibitory effect on glutamate binding in the (rat) cortex  From:  Elisabetsky, E., Marschner, J., & Souza, D. O. (1995). Effects of linalool on glutamatergic system in the rat cerebral cortex. Neurochemical research, 20(4), 461-465.
• Those treated with lavender and massage had reduced anxiety in an intensive care unit.  From:  Dunn, C., Sleep, J., & Collett, D. (1995). Sensing an improvement: an experimental study to evaluate the use of aromatherapy, massage and periods of rest in an intensive care unit. Journal of advanced nursing, 21(1), 34-40.
• Lavender aromatherapy induced relaxation as well as arousal level in young female subjects. From:  Duan, X., Tashiro, M., Wu, D. I., Yambe, T., Wang, Q., Sasaki, T., … & Itoh, M. (2007). Autonomic nervous function and localization of cerebral activity during lavender aromatic immersion. Technology and Health Care, 15(2), 69-78.
• Oral intake of a lozenge containing lavender oil had a calming effect.  From:  Dimpfel, W., Pischel, I., & Lehnfeld, R. (2004). Effects of lozenge containing lavender oil, extracts from hops, lemon balm and oat on electrical brain activity of volunteers. European journal of medical research, 9(9), 423-431.
•  Serotonergic neurotransmission plays a role in lavender’s anxiolytic properties.  From:  Takahashi, M., Yamanaka, A., Asanuma, C., Asano, H., Satou, T., & Koike, K. (2014). Anxiolytic-like effect of inhalation of essential oil from Lavandula officinalis: investigation of changes in 5-HT turnover and involvement of olfactory stimulation. Natural product communications, 9(7), 1023-1026.
• Lavender aromatherapy improved anxiety and depression at a women’s clinic.  From:  Conrad, P., & Adams, C. (2012). The effects of clinical aromatherapy for anxiety and depression in the high risk postpartum woman–a pilot study. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 18(3), 164-168.  Link:  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2012.05.002
• Lavender had an effect on salivary endocrinological stress markers.  From:  Toda, M., & Morimoto, K. (2008). Effect of lavender aroma on salivary endocrinological stress markers. Archives of oral biology, 53(10), 964-968.
• The study suggests use for the oral application of lavender oil in patients suffering from anxiety.  From:  Schuwald, A. M., Nöldner, M., Wilmes, T., Klugbauer, N., Leuner, K., & Müller, W. E. (2013). Lavender oil-potent anxiolytic properties via modulating voltage dependent calcium channels. PloS one, 8(4), e59998.
• Orange and lavender aromatherapy reduced anxiety and improved mood in patients waiting for dental treatment.  From:  Lehrner, J., Marwinski, G., Lehr, S., Johren, P., & Deecke, L. (2005). Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental office. Physiology & Behavior, 86(1), 92-95.
• Lavandula angustifolia and Salvia sclaria reduced stress of ICU nurses. From:  Pemberton, E., & Turpin, P. G. (2008). The Effect of Essential Oils on Work‐Related Stress in Intensive Care Unit Nurses. Holistic nursing practice, 22(2), 97-102.
• Oral intake of a product called Silexan was an  effective and well tolerated alternative to benzodiazepines for reducing anxiety.  From: Woelk, H., & Schläfke, S. (2010). A multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of the Lavender oil preparation Silexan in comparison to Lorazepam for generalized anxiety disorder. Phytomedicine, 17(2), 94-99.
• Lavender and rosemary essential oil sachets reduced test-taking stress in graduate nursing students.  From:  McCaffrey, R., Thomas, D. J., & Kinzelman, A. O. (2009). The Effects of Lavender and Rosemary Essential Oils on Test‐Taking Anxiety Among Graduate Nursing Students. Holistic nursing practice, 23(2), 88-93.
• Lavender administered orally reduced anxiety in humans watching film clips.  From:  Bradley, B. F., Brown, S. L., Chu, S., & Lea, R. W. (2009). Effects of orally administered lavender essential oil on responses to anxiety‐provoking film clips. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental, 24(4), 319-330.
• Lavender reduced anxiety in patients undergoing gastroscopy.  From:  Hoya, Y., Matsumura, I., Fujita, T., & Yanaga, K. (2008). The use of nonpharmacological interventions to reduce anxiety in patients undergoing gastroscopy in a setting with an optimal soothing environment. Gastroenterology Nursing, 31(6), 395-399.
• Lavender scent reduced anxiety in dental patients.  From:  Kritsidima, M., Newton, T., & Asimakopoulou, K. (2010). The effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomised‐controlled trial. Community dentistry and oral epidemiology, 38(1), 83-87.
• Lavender and the oil dripping treatment called Shirodhara reduced anxiety. From:  Xu, F., Uebaba, K., Ogawa, H., Tatsuse, T., Wang, B. H., Hisajima, T., & Venkatraman, S. (2008). Pharmaco-physio-psychologic effect of Ayurvedic oil-dripping treatment using an essential oil from Lavendula angustifolia. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14(8), 947-956.
• Both mothers and infants were more relaxed after giving baby a bath with scented lavender.  From:  Field, T., Field, T., Cullen, C., Largie, S., Diego, M., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (2008). Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infants. Early human development, 84(6), 399-401.
• Lavender and Melissa had neuronal depressant and anti-agitation activities. From:  Huang, L., Abuhamdah, S., Howes, M. J. R., Dixon, C. L., Elliot, M. S., Ballard, C., … & Lees, G. (2008). Pharmacological profile of essential oils derived from Lavandula angustifolia and Melissa officinalis with anti‐agitation properties: focus on ligand‐gated channels. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 60(11), 1515-1522.
• Lavender is effective adjunctive therapy in alleviating agitated behaviours in Chinese patients with dementia. From:  Lin, P. W. K., Chan, W. C., Ng, B. F. L., & Lam, L. C. W. (2007). Efficacy of aromatherapy (Lavandula angustifolia) as an intervention for agitated behaviours in Chinese older persons with dementia: a cross‐over randomized trial. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 22(5), 405-410.
• Inhalation of lavender and hyssop oil decreased mobility in mice that were treated with caffeine. Inhalation of ginger, thyme, peppermint, and cypress oil increased mobility.  From:  Lim, W. C., Seo, J. M., Lee, C. I., Pyo, H. B., & Lee, B. C. (2005). Stimulative and sedative effects of essential oils upon inhalation in mice. Archives of pharmacal research, 28(7), 770-774.
• After 12 weeks of lavender aromatherapy, midlife women with insomnia had improved quality of sleep.  From:  Chien, L. W., Cheng, S. L., & Liu, C. F. (2011). The effect of lavender aromatherapy on autonomic nervous system in midlife women with insomnia. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012.
• Participants inhaled lavender, vanillin, and vetiver or an unpleasant ammonium sulfide while sleeping; the authors concluded the olfactory system may provide a path to manipulate respiration in sleep. From:  Arzi, A., Sela, L., Green, A., Givaty, G., Dagan, Y., & Sobel, N. (2010). The influence of odorants on respiratory patterns in sleep. Chemical senses, 35(1), 31-40.
• Nighttime exposure to lavender aroma relieves sleepiness at awakening in young Japanese students.   From:  Hirokawa, K., Nishimoto, T., & Taniguchi, T. (2012). Effects of lavender aroma on sleep quality in healthy Japanese students. Perceptual and motor skills, 114(1), 111-122.
• Sleeping and other sedative effects increased with mice who ingested lavender in olive oil.  From:  Guillemain, J., Rousseau, A., & Delaveau, P. (1989). Neurodepressive effects of the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. In Annales pharmaceutiques françaises (Vol. 47, No. 6, p. 337).
• Aromatherapy (of lavender) reduced insomnia.  From:  Hardy, M., Kirk-Smith, M., & Stretch, D. (1995). Replacement of drug treatment for insomnia by ambient odour. The Lancet, 346(8976), 701.
• Insomnia was reduced with lavender inhalation.  From:  Lewith, G. T., Godfrey, A. D., & Prescott, P. (2005). A single-blinded, randomized pilot study evaluating the aroma of Lavandula augustifolia as a treatment for mild insomnia. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, 11(4), 631-637.

4/11/18

This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use. These statements are not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases. The information at this page has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Consult a Doctor before using herbs and essential oils if you have medical conditions, are taking medications, or have questions.