In another article on this website, we recommended a few simple principles to follow when one of our patients asks about a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) product. Please see:
How should we approach complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) products?
As you know, the lavender plant—most frequently, Lavandula angustifolia—is used for many cosmetic purposes, in fragrances, massage oils, and so on.
Lavender has also been used as a medicinal plant for centuries and is supposed to have calming effects. Most commonly, it is used by inhalation (“aromatherapy”). By the way, a hotel I recently stayed at provided a lavender spray for me to spray onto my pillow to help me get a good night’s sleep. I did (spray it), but I didn’t (get a good night’s sleep).
But did you know the following facts? In addition to its use in aromatherapy:
– Lavender oil has also been formulated as a capsule for ORAL use.
– A proprietary preparation of lavender oil extract in capsules for oral use, brand name Silexan®, is marketed in Europe and elsewhere.
– An over-the-counter product containing this proprietary form of lavender oil extract is commercially available in the US.
– And that this oral preparation of lavender oil extract has been studied as a possible treatment for many conditions of interest to mental health clinicians?
In a series of articles on this website, we will briefly summarize what is known about oral lavender oil, including whether we are convinced that it works and what side effects could occur.
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