PlainPill
SupplementAnxietySleep

Lavender

People mainly take Lavender for anxiety, sleep. Based on 18 first-hand reports and 129 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #788 of 1,974 overall.

Compare with…Alternatives for anxiety
21
User score
Mixed
17% positive6% mixed17% negative61% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 43% are positive.

Clinical research
AStrong research base
129
meta-analyses
272
RCTs
2,309
papers

What Lavender does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

Anxiety75% of 4
1 more with fewer than 3 reports
Sleep100% of 1
betterno changeworse

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

AStrong research base

3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

Complement Ther Med · 2018 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Anthroposophic medicine in the treatment of pediatric pseudocroup: A systematic review

Conclusion: Anthroposophic medicine harbors a broad spectrum of remedies for the treatment of pseudocroup in children. In particular, Aconitum, Bryonia and Spongia are frequently recommended; however, clinical trials investigating the effectiveness are sparse. Therefore, development and validation of therapy strategies are required.

PubMed 30219446 ↗
Phytomedicine · 2019 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Effects of lavender on anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Conclusion: Considering these findings, since treatments with lavender essential oil generally seem safe, and, in the case of inhalation, also simple and inexpensive, they are a therapeutic option which may be considered in some clinical contexts. The present systematic review was not funded and was registered in PROSPERO under the following number: CRD42019130126.

PubMed 31655395 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

400 mgas reported

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

rebound anxiety ×1

What users say

Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.

“Lavender (calm)”
Source discussion ↗
“Including but not limited to: valerian, l theanine, magnolia bark, lavender, etc etc.”
Source discussion ↗
“many herbs as well that work on gaba that won’t work as well as gabapentenoids”
Source discussion ↗
“Lemon balm, magnesium, glycine, lavender, and/or theanine.”
Source discussion ↗
“I use: Lavender”
Source discussion ↗
Top discussions (5)

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User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate