“Lavender, an herb beloved for it’s pleasing fragrance, is also proving to be an effective remedy for both anxiety and depression. Taken orally, lavender extract can be as effective as low-dose benzodiazepines for attenuating anxiety.”

“In a recent multi-center Phase III study, researchers compared a standardized lavender oil (Silexan, WS®1265), taken orally, against low-dose lorazepam in patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). A total of 77 subjects (59 women, 18 men), 18–65 years of age, were randomized to one of the two treatments.”

“All participants had a Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA) total score of greater than 18, and scores equal to or greater than 2 on both anxious mood and tension items. The HAMA-total score was measured again after 6 weeks of treatment. Additional data were collected using the Self-rating Anxiety Scale, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, SF 36 Health survey and segments of the Clinical Global Impressions assessment.”

“Subjects in the lavender group took 80 mg per day of the standardized extract in capsules; those in the lorazepam group took 0.5 mg, also in capsule form.”

“Subjects had to show a HAMA score reduction of at least 50% to be considered “responders.” Remission was defined as a HAMA-total score of less than ten points at the end of the 6 weeks.”

“The lavender oil, a steam distillate of Lavandula angustifolia, decreased mean HAMA-total scores by 45%, versus 46% in the lorazepam group. At the conclusion of the trial, 40% of the lavender group and 27% of the lorazepam group met criteria for remission; the lavender group had a response rate of 52.5% compared to 40.5% of those on the drug (Woelk H, Schlafke S. Phytomedicine Int J Phytotherapy Phytopharmacol. 2010; 17:2: 94-99). Adverse effects associated with lavender were few and included nausea (5.2%), belching (3.9%) and dyspepsia (2.6%).”

A Venerable History

“Lavender has been used, both internally and by olfaction, for centuries as a treatment for anxiety and depression, as well as for mood imbalances such as anxiety, insomnia, and gastrointestinal distress (Greive M. A Modern Herbal. New York, Harcourt, Brace & Co.,1931). Lavender has also been valued for its antibacterial, antifungal, and carminative effects.”

“Native to the Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula, Russia and Africa, Lavandula angustifolia is the most common species of lavender used for health purposes. It has a high concentration of volatile oils, which impart its distinctive pleasing fragrance. Modern analytical methods show more than 160 constituents, many of which interact synergistically to contribute to lavender’s healing effects (Cavanagh HMA, Wilkinson JM. Phytother Res 2002;16;301–8).”

“The main bioactive constituents of lavender oil are linalool, linalyl acetate, terpinen-4-ol and camphor, though there are many others. Relative amounts of constituents can vary significantly among preparations. The European Pharmacopoeia defines ranges for the predominant components. Oils with high concentrations of esters and low concentrations of cineol and other minor components are considered to be of higher quality.”

“There are multiple mechanisms that could account for lavender’s anxiolytic effects. It can potentiate expression of GABA-A receptors (Aoshima H, et al. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 1999; 63:743-48) and shows spasmolytic activity in GI tissue (Lis-Balchin M, Hart S. Phytother Res. 1999; 13 (6): 540-2). Linalool, a key bioactive component, inhibits glutamate-binding in the brain, reduces acetylcholine release (Elizabetsky E, et al. Neurochem Res. 1995; 20: 461-5), and modulates ionic conductance in neurons (Re L, et al. Pharmacol Res. 2000; 42: 177-82).”

Lavender Aromatherapy

“Much prior research on lavender has focused on olfaction. The anxiolytic activity of lavenderaromatherapy has been shown in several small and medium  sized trials:”

“• Itai showed that it decreases anxiety, as measured by the Hamilton rating scale while also raising mood scores “(Itai T, et al. Psychiatry & Clin Neurosci 2000;54:393–7).
•”Dunn demonstrated anxiolytic activity of 1% lavender oil aromatherapy in patients in intensive care units” (Dunn C, et al. J Adv Nursing 1995;21:34-40).
• “Alaoui-Ismaili found that lavender produces measurable changes in the autonomic nervous system” (Alaoui-Ismaïli O, et al. Chem Senses. 1997 Jun;22(3):237-48).
• “Tysoe studied effects of lavender oil on hospital staff mood and stress; 85% of the staff believed the aroma improved the work environment” (Tysoe P. Int J Nurs Pract 2000;6:110-12).
• “Diego found that people receiving lavender oil (10%) aromatherapy for 3 minutes had decreased anxiety scores, and improved mood, as well as higher alpha activity on EEG (an indicator of alertness), and increased speed on mathematical calculation tasks” (Diego MA, et al. Int J Neurosci.1998;96:217-24).
• “Lewith found that lavender aromatherapy reduced HAMA scores in women undergoing hemodialysis. With or without massage, lavender reduced perception of pain, and need for conventional analgesic drugs” (Lewith GT, et al. J Altern Complement Med 2005;11(4):631-7).”

The remaining article goes on to list earlier studies that showed oral ingestion of lavender could reduce anxiety and depression.  However, this standardized lavender extract is difficult to find.  In fact, there are only a couple of products on the market that contain this.  One product is called Calm Aid and you can find  it in some vitamin or natural health stores or you get get it at the following link:  http://www.naturesway.com/Product-Catalog/CalmAid-30-Softgels

To finish reading the rest of the article on this, go check it out at:  holisticprimarycare.net

Image courtesy of: maryxdugan