Is Lavender Really Calming?

To answer the question, is lavender really calming…

By: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, RA, LMT, RYT

There is much scientific research on this topic.  Several human studies across a wide variety of settings with a diverse array of populations have demonstrated the calming effects of inhaling lavender aroma.  Lavender aromatherapy has shown to lower blood pressure and relax the sympathetic nervous system.  Studies have also measured a positive effect on mood: reducing depression, anxiety, and stress through the inhalation of this essential oil.  The active constituent(s) demonstrating a calming effect are linalool [1] [2], and a synergistic effect of linalool in combination with linalyl acetate.[3] The activation of serotonergic neurotransmission in the brain may play a role in lavender’s anxiolytic properties.[4]

Take a look at the Lavandula angustifolia Essential Oil Monograph

Here are some ways to enjoy the aroma of lavender:

• Breath it in.  Place about 4 drops of lavender essential oil in a 5 ounce cool mist diffuser to relax.
• Make a tea.  Add 2 ounces of fresh or 1 ounces of dried lavender to hot water.
  • First, collect fresh EDIBLE flowers and tops which have NOT have been sprayed with pesticides or collected near a road (pollution).  Very gently rinse them clean and inspect for bugs or dirt.  Set aside.
  • Heat water in a pan.  The temperature should be hot, but cool enough that you can put your fingers in it (about 170 degrees).
  • Pour the heated water onto the herb and steep for 5 minutes.
  • Strain and remove plant material, leaving just the water.
  • Add honey to taste.  Serve hot or chilled.
• Take a lavender bath.
  • Recipe:
    • 1/2 cup jojoba oil
    • 1 cup of Epsom or sea salt
    • 3 drops of lavender essential oil
    • Instructions:  Mix the jojoba and essential oils together.  Pour onto salt and mix.  Add about a half cup into a bath and enjoy!
• Create a Lavender eye pillow or neck wrap.  Fill a comfortable tube sock with dried lavender and tie a knot at the end.

Studies related to the calming effects of lavender:

• Both adults and infants showed a reduced depressed affect in their EEG with inhalation of rosemary and lavender.[5]
• Depression and anxiety were reduced in hemodialysis patients with this essential oil in aromatherapy.[6]
• Hospice patients inhaled lavender and showed a slight improvement in vital signs, depression, and sense of well-being.[7]
• Aroma inhalation decreased test taking anxiety in students.[8]
• This aroma had an effect on salivary endocrinological stress markers in 30 healthy students.[9]
• Lavender aroma reduced task related anxiety in young adults.[10]
• Aromatherapy helped reduce postpartum effects in women.[11]
• Lavandula angustifolia aromatherapy showed modest efficacy in reducing agitated behavior in patients with severe dementia.[12] In another study, lavender helped alleviate agitated behaviors in Chinese patients with dementia.[13]
• Lavender aromatherapy improved anxiety and depression at a women’s clinic. [14]
• Patients who inhaled a blend of lavender, ylang ylang and bergamot had reduced psychological stress responses, serum cortisol levels, and blood pressure.[15] In a previous study at the same location, aromatherapy of lavender, peppermint, rosemary, and clary sage reduced stress in nursing students.[16]
• Lavender eased anxiety of subjects undergoing medical procedures by showing a significant increase in parasympathetic activity.[17]
• This essential oil’s aroma reduced pre-procedure stress in patients.[18]
• Lavender odor reduced mental stress and increased arousal in participants.[19]
• Lavender aromatherapy induced relaxation as well as arousal level in young female subjects.[20]
• This aroma reduced anxiety in patients undergoing gastroscopy.[21]
• Lavender scent reduced anxiety in dental patients.[22]
• Both mothers and infants were more relaxed after giving baby a bath with scented lavender.[23]
• Linalool applied to the skin with a mask covering the nose to prevent smelling had a sedative effect in humans.[24]
• Aromatherapy with a blend of lemon, lavender, and ylang ylang was effective in lowering systolic blood pressure and the sympathetic nervous system.[25]
• Inhalation of an essential oil blended with lavender, ylang-ylang, marjoram, and neroli had a relaxing effect and reduced blood pressure in humans.[26]
• Lavender inhalation had a relaxing effect, causing a significant decrease of blood pressure, heart rate, and skin temperature in a small study with 20 participants.[27]
• Lavender aromatherapy significantly decreased stress levels and pain before needle insertion in 30 volunteers.[28]
• Lavender, marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary, and peppermint in an aromatherapy blend reduced depression and pain in those with arthritis.[29]
• Lavendula angustifolium in bath oil may have had an improved psychological effect.[30]
• Lavender, geranium, rose, and jasmine in an aromatherapy massage may exert positive effects on blood pressure.[31]
• Aromatherapy massage using lavender, chamomile, rosemary, and lemon reduced anxiety and improved self-esteem. In Korean elderly women.[32]
• Orange and lavender aromatherapy reduced anxiety and improved mood in patients waiting for dental treatment.[33]
• Lavandula angustifolia and Salvia sclaria reduced stress of ICU nurses.[34]
• Lavender and rosemary essential oil sachets reduced test-taking stress in graduate nursing students.[35]
• A blend of lavender and bergamot essential oils had a relaxing effect in humans.[36]
• In a four-week double blind randomized trial, a lavender angustifolia tincture along with imipramine was more effective than imipramine alone in reducing the symptoms of mild to moderate depression.[37]
• A hand massage with bergamot, lavender, and frankincense reduced pain, anxiety, and depression in hospice patients.[38]
• Inhalation therapy of lavender and bergamot was very effective in balancing the autonomic nervous system in 64 patients undergoing this urodynamic study.[39]
• A hot lavender foot-bath created a small but significant change in autonomic nervous system activity.[40]
• In a randomized crossover study with 26 participants, lavender inhalation may have modified mood to reduce the impression of pain.[41]
• Those treated with lavender and massage had reduced anxiety in an intensive care unit.[42]
• Lavender and the oil dripping treatment called Shirodhara reduced anxiety.[43]

Find more research on calming herbs.

References

[1] 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.

[2] 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.

[3] 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.

[4] 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.

[5] 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.

[6] 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.

[7] 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.

[8] Kutlu, A. K., Yılmaz, E., & Çeçen, D. (2008). Effects of aroma inhalation on examination anxiety. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 3(4), 125-130.

[9] Toda, M., & Morimoto, K. (2008). Effect of lavender aroma on salivary endocrinological stress markers. Archives of oral biology, 53(10), 964-968.

[10] 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.

[11] 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.

[12] 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.

[13] 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.

[14] 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.

[15] 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.

[16] 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.

[17] 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.

[18] Muzzarelli, L., Force, M., & Sebold, M. (2006). Aromatherapy and reducing preprocedural anxiety: A controlled prospective study. Gastroenterology Nursing, 29(6), 466-471.

[19] Motomura, N., Sakurai, A., & Yotsuya, Y. (2001). Reduction of mental stress with lavender odorant. Perceptual and motor skills, 93(3), 713-718.

[20] 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.

[21] 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.

[22] 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.

[23] 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.

[24] 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).

[25] 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).

[26] 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.

[27] 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.

[28] 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.

[29] 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.

[30] 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.

[31] 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.

[32] 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.

[33] 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.

[34] 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.

[35] 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.

[36] Hongratanaworakit, T. (2011). Aroma-therapeutic effects of massage blended essential oils on humans. Natural product communications, 6(8), 1199-1204.

[37] 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.

[38] 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.

[39] 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.

[40] 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.

[41] 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.

[42] 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.

[43] 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.