Evidence supporting the use of: Lavender
For the health condition: Tension

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for its calming and relaxing effects, but in recent years, scientific research has increasingly supported its use for tension and anxiety reduction. Clinical studies have evaluated both oral preparations (such as Silexan, a standardized lavender oil capsule) and aromatherapy applications. Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that lavender oil, particularly when taken orally, can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and tension compared to placebo. The proposed mechanisms include modulation of neurotransmitters such as GABA and serotonin, as well as mild sedative effects via the limbic system when inhaled.

Meta-analyses and systematic reviews (e.g., Kasper et al., 2014; Woelk & Schläfke, 2010) report moderate-quality evidence supporting lavender’s efficacy for subsyndromal anxiety, restlessness, and tension. While the effect sizes are generally modest, the safety profile of lavender is favorable, with side effects being rare and usually mild. Topical and aromatherapeutic uses are less well-studied than oral forms but have shown benefit in small trials and open-label studies.

In summary, the use of lavender to support or treat tension is justified by both tradition and an emerging scientific evidence base. The strength of evidence rates as moderate (3/5), with strongest support for oral standardized extracts, and somewhat less robust evidence for aromatherapy applications.

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