
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.
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