Lavender Oil Capsules for Anxiety: One Product, Consistent Trials, a Maker-Funded Analysis
Oral lavender oil, studied almost entirely as the standardized preparation Silexan, beat placebo for anxiety in five 10-week trials. The results are consistent, but they come from one product, and the pooled analysis was funded by its manufacturer. Here is what was found, what it does and does not mean for other lavender products, and who should be careful.
By Kymata Health Editorial Published Last checked
We earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It never changes our grades or rankings. How we make money →
Quick pick
From a partner brand · paid link
Nature's Way CalmAid (Silexan lavender oil), 90 Softgels
from HerbsPro
Its name matches standardized oral lavender oil (Silexan), one of the forms compared in our Forms table.
Label: 1 softgel: 80 mg Silexan English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) flower oil.
Best for trying one bottle: $39.65 one-time (checked Oct 15, 2026).
Key takeaways
From 6 sources- A 2023 meta-analysis of all 5 placebo-controlled trials (1,213 adults) found 80 mg a day of Silexan lowered anxiety scores more than placebo over 10 weeks, with 1.34 times as many responders1.
- In a 10-week trial in generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety scores fell 14.1 points on 160 mg, 12.8 on 80 mg, 11.3 on paroxetine and 9.5 on placebo2.
- The meta-analysis was financially supported by Dr. Willmar Schwabe, the maker of Silexan, and two co-authors of the main trial worked at the company12.
- Adverse events were no more common than with placebo, and no withdrawal symptoms appeared when the capsules were stopped abruptly14.
- There are theoretical reasons lavender might interact with some sedative drugs or herbs, so people on sedatives or facing surgery should check with a clinician first6.
What this article covers
1 evidence profileThe evidence, graded
Pulled from the trial tables in our evidence profiles. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
Graded findings
2 rows- BGrade BAnxiety (HAMA) in subthreshold anxiety, mixed anxiety-depression and GADImproved Anxiety scores fell more than with placebo; responders (≥50% drop) were 1.34 times as common and adverse events did not differ from placebo.Lavender (oral lavender oil) · Meta-analysis · n=1,213 · 2023 · PMID 36717399
- BGrade BAnxiety (HAMA) in generalized anxiety disorderImproved HAMA fell 14.1 points on 160 mg and 12.8 on 80 mg versus 9.5 on placebo (both significant); 60% responded on 160 mg versus 38% on placebo.Lavender (oral lavender oil) · RCT · n=539 · 2014 · PMID 24456909
Where these trials agree: Lavender (oral lavender oil) and anxiety, counted row by row in the Consensus finder.
What the pooled trials show
Silexan is a standardized oil made from Lavandula angustifolia and sold as capsules. A 2023 meta-analysis pooled all 5 completed double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in adult outpatients with subthreshold anxiety, mixed anxiety and depression, or generalized anxiety disorder; 1,213 people took 80 mg a day or placebo for 10 weeks1.
Silexan lowered Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores and self-rated anxiety more than placebo1. People were 1.34 times as likely to have their anxiety score halved, and 1.51 times as likely to be rated much or very much improved1. Adverse events, serious adverse events and dropouts due to adverse events did not differ from placebo1.
Funding: the meta-analysis was financially supported by Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH, the manufacturer of Silexan; one author is a Schwabe employee and several others report honoraria or consulting for the company1.
The head-to-head trial with paroxetine
In a 2014 trial, 539 adults with generalized anxiety disorder took 160 mg or 80 mg of Silexan, the antidepressant paroxetine at 20 mg, or placebo once a day for 10 weeks2.
Anxiety scores fell by 14.1 points on 160 mg, 12.8 on 80 mg, 11.3 on paroxetine and 9.5 on placebo; both Silexan doses beat placebo (p < 0.01), while paroxetine showed only a trend in the main analysis (p = 0.10)2. Half or more of the anxiety score was gone in 60.3% on 160 mg and 51.9% on 80 mg, versus 43.2% on paroxetine and 37.8% on placebo2.
Adverse event rates on Silexan were similar to placebo and lower than on paroxetine2. Two of the trial's authors worked for Schwabe2.
An independent 2019 network meta-analysis of 5 studies, whose authors declared no competing interests, ranked 160 mg highest, but its estimate against placebo (-2.20 points, 95% CI -4.64 to 0.24) did not exclude no effect3.
Withdrawal, side effects and drug interactions
When the paroxetine trial ended, Silexan was stopped abruptly while paroxetine was tapered; over the following week, no withdrawal effects appeared in any group4. Two authors of that follow-up worked for Schwabe4.
In 16 healthy volunteers, 160 mg a day for 11 days had no clinically relevant effect on five major drug-processing liver enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4)5. One author of that study worked for Schwabe5.
The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says oral lavender might be safe short term at the amounts tested, but some people get diarrhea, headache, nausea or burping6.
The lavender page grades each finding. For other options, see our explainers on L-theanine, magnesium for anxiety and kava.
Who should be careful
Check with a doctor or pharmacist before trying lavender oil capsules if any of these apply:
- Sedative medicines or herbs: there are theoretical reasons lavender might interact with them, which matters most before surgery6.
- Diagnosed anxiety disorder on prescribed treatment: any change to prescribed treatment belongs with the clinician managing it.
- Other lavender products: the evidence comes from one standardized preparation at 80 to 160 mg a day12, and other lavender oils and products were not tested in these trials.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: little is known about the safety of lavender in either6.
- Low mood alongside anxiety: depression can be a serious illness, and it calls for a health care provider rather than a supplement6.
Quick answers
Common questions
4 answersHow long does lavender oil take to work for anxiety?
What dose of lavender oil was studied?
Is lavender oil as good as an antidepressant?
Can you stop lavender capsules suddenly?
In a 1-week follow-up after abrupt discontinuation, no withdrawal effects were seen4.
Keep reading
Full evidence profiles
Every graded study, studied doses, interactions and safetyRelated articles
4 articles- ArticleApigenin for Sleep: No Trial Has Tested It on Its Own, and the Closest Evidence Is MixedDoes apigenin help you sleep?
- ArticleAshwagandha for Stress and Sleep: What the Trials Found, and Why the Results Vary So MuchDoes ashwagandha help with stress and sleep?
- ArticleAshwagandha for Testosterone: What the Trials Show (About 57 ng/dL, With Big Caveats)Does ashwagandha raise testosterone, and by how much?
- ArticleAshwagandha Interactions: Thyroid Medicine, Sedatives, SSRIs, Alcohol, Magnesium and L-TheanineWhat does ashwagandha interact with?
More on Supplements and vitamins
8 pages- TopicSupplements and vitamins: every page
- PreviousL-Theanine vs Ashwagandha: A Same-Day Focus Aid vs a Weeks-Long Stress HerbL-theanine's clearest effect is sharper attention within an hour of one dose; ashwagandha has more trials for stress and sleep over weeks, but low-certainty evidence and more…
- NextLiposomal, Buffered or Ester-C: Is Fancy Vitamin C Worth Paying More For?Plain ascorbic acid costs pennies.
- In this topicLow Ferritin but “Normal” Blood Count? What Women Should Know About Iron Deficiency Without AnemiaA normal hemoglobin does not mean your iron stores are full.
- In this topicLutein and Zeaxanthin for Your Eyes: What AREDS2 Found, and Why It Replaced Beta-CaroteneLutein and zeaxanthin are the headline ingredients in most eye-health supplements.
- In this topicLymphatic Drainage Drops: We Looked for the Evidence and Found Almost NoneHerbal "lymphatic drainage" drops promise to de-puff and detox.
- ToolEvidence-graded supplement stacks
- TopicsBrowse all topics
Browse the full Supplement & Nutrient Encyclopedia or all supplement articles.
Where to buy Lavender (oral lavender oil)
Products from brands we partner with that contain Lavender (oral lavender oil). Check the amount per serving against the doses studied, and the label for other ingredients.
Lavender (oral lavender oil) products from partner brands
1 product Paid links · we earn a commission- Quick pickHerbsProNature's Way CalmAid (Silexan lavender oil), 90 Softgels
1 softgel: 80 mg Silexan English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) flower oil
$39.65one-timeChecked Oct 15, 2026
References
6 sources. Numbers in the text link here.
Sources cited in this article
6 sources- 1Efficacy of Silexan in patients with anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trialsEur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci, 2023 · PMID 36717399
- 2Lavender oil preparation Silexan is effective in generalized anxiety disorder--a randomized, double-blind comparison to placebo and paroxetineInt J Neuropsychopharmacol, 2014 · PMID 24456909
- 3Efficacy and safety of lavender essential oil (Silexan) capsules among patients suffering from anxiety disorders: A network meta-analysisSci Rep, 2019 · PMID 31792285
- 4Silexan does not cause withdrawal symptoms even when abruptly discontinuedInt J Psychiatry Clin Pract, 2017 · PMID 28319423
- 5Drug cocktail interaction study on the effect of the orally administered lavender oil preparation silexan on cytochrome P450 enzymes in healthy volunteersDrug Metab Dispos, 2013 · PMID 23401474
- 6Lavender: Usefulness and SafetyNational Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2025
Lavender (oral lavender oil) and other dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Talk to your clinician or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you take prescription medicines. Product links on this page are paid partner links.