Lavandulae aetheroleum

Lavender essential oil, obtained by steam distillation from the fresh flowers and inflorescences of Lavandula angustifolia(true lavender), is a colorless to slightly yellowish, characteristically scented, bitter-tasting oily liquid.
 

Quality is specified in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC Monograph: traditional use: restlessness, anxious mood.
ESCOP Monograph:mood swings, restlessness, states of agitation, sleep disturbances; functional abdominal complaints
Commission E Monograph:external use: as a bath for circulatory complaints.

The highly standardized medicinal lavender oil,^Silexan®, extracted from true lavender, is the active ingredient in herbal medicines, e.g.,^Lasea®. Studies have demonstrated the safe efficacy of^Silexan®in subclinical and syndromic anxiety disorders, as well as in major depression (Kapsar S et al 2025). 

^Lasea® is approved in Germany by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) for the treatment of restlessness associated with anxiety.

Lavender oil contains 30-60% L-linalool ester, mainly linalyl acetate, 20-35% linalool, furthermore beta-ocimene, camphor, geraniol, coumarin, borneol, etyhl-n-amyl ketone, alpha-pinene, cineol, citronellol, furfural.

Its medicinal use is based on its antiseptic, sedative, choleretic, antiphlogistic, anticonvulsant and spasmolytic effects. Lavender oil is therefore used as an ingredient in rheumatism, wound and healing ointments, cough medicines, gargle solutions, foot baths, compresses, sleeping pills, etc. An antibacterial effect has been experimentally proven, so lavender oil is also suitable for disinfection, both in the bathroom and for the disinfecting cleaning of objects and rooms. At the same time, lavender oil reduces the time it takes to fall asleep and prolongs the duration of sleep, in geriatric patients to the same extent as benzodiazepines!

Lavender acts directly on the limbic system: influencing the activity of neurotransmitters and stress hormones.

Disinfection of bacteria (Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, E. coli, Listeria) and fungi (especially Candida albicans). Against bacteria: concentration 0.5-2g/ml, against fungi 2-4 g/ml.

^Silexan®is a medicinal lavender oil of the highest pharmaceutical quality; the commercially available product is^Lasea®, with a dosage of one softgel once daily. In studies, its anxiolytic efficacy is comparable to that of 20 mg of paroxetine or 0.5 mg of lorazepam.  In patients with mild to moderate depression, Silexan was superior to placebo and comparably effective to 50 mg/day of sertraline (Kaspar S et al. 2025). 

Contradictory data regarding driving ability: Recent studies (Möller 2021) indicate that lavender oil has no sedative effect and does not impair driving ability—however, the HMPC monograph, which we physicians should follow, states: “May impair the ability to drive and operate machinery.” 

Lavender oil inhibits the growth of fungi and microorganisms; like few other plants, it has disinfectant properties while also being anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

Lavender sachets or pillows have been placed among laundry for centuries as a natural moth repellent.

Lavender oil is primarily used as a fragrance component in soaps, aftershaves, creams, and numerous other cosmetics. Lavandula angustifolia water (INCI) serves as a fragrance in cosmetic formulations. It is also widely used as a repellent.

Do not use during pregnancy and lactation due to lack of data.

note the estrogenic effect of lavender - - premature breast growth in children.

In infants and small children, laryngospasm and respiratory arrest may occur when inhaling lavender scent.

Preparations: As Lavandulae spirit, Unguentum aromaticum, Mixtura oleosa-balsalmica doses
:

• Internal: Persons > 12 years; Daily dose: 20-80mg essential oil
• external: 1,0-3,0 g oil as bath additive 1x daily bath
  

In case of hypersensitivity to the active ingredients (see also under lavender real).
Children and adolescents < 12 years. Note: In infants and young children, laryngospasm and respiratory arrest may occur when lavender fragrance is inhaled.

Pregnancy and lactation: no studies on safety.

^{Cefarheumin®} Ointment, Gerner Nervinum N,^{Kytta-Plasma®},^{Kytta Ointment®}, lavender oil from various manufacturers

For internal use in cases of restlessness and anxiety, e.g.,^Lasea®

^Lasea® has received full marketing authorization in Germany from the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), as the efficacy and safety of the active ingredient^Silexan® have been officially demonstrated in scientific and clinical studies.

The strong disinfectant effect of lavender oil can also be used in cleaning water. As a side effect, the consumption of sleeping pills in retirement homes and clinics is reduced.

Inhibits the growth of staphylococci, salmonella, enterobacter, Klebsiella, pseudomonas, E. coli, listeria, fungi, especially Candida albicans.

Concentration against bacteria: 0.5-2g/ml, against fungi: 2-4 g/ml.

The best-known region for the production of high-quality lavender oils (for the cosmetics industry) is the south of France. Most lavender oil comes from Nice, Grasse, Monaco and Carpentras.

1. Amman HP et al. (2014) Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary. De Gruyter GmbH, Berlin, Boston, pp. 1043–1044 
2. Behnam S et al. (2006) Composition and antifungal activity of essential oils of Mentha piperita and Lavendula angustifolia against post-harvest phytopathogens. Commun Agric Appl Biol Sci 71:1321–1326.
3. Fißler M et al. (2014) A case series on the use of lavender oil capsules in patients suffering from major depressive disorder and symptoms of psychomotor agitation, insomnia, and anxiety. Complement Ther Med 22:63–69.
4. Hagvall L et al. (2016) Patch testing with major sensitizers does not detect all cases of contact allergy to oxidized lavender oil. Acta Derm Venereol. 96:679–683.
5. Morris N (2002) The effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolium) baths on psychological well-being: two exploratory randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med 10:223–228.
6. Xu F et al. (2008) Pharmaco-physiological and psychological effects of Ayurvedic oil-dripping treatment using an essential oil from Lavandula angustifolia. J Altern Complement Med 14:947–956.
7. Ramsey JT et al. (2019) Lavender Products Associated With Premature Thelarche and Prepubertal Gynecomastia: Case Reports and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemical Activities. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 104: Pages 5393–5405
8. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/lavendel.php
9. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-lavandula-angustifolia-miller-aetheroleum_en.pdf
10. https://www.deutsche-apotheker-zeitung.de/news/artikel/2019/10/29/lavendel
11. Koyama H et al. (2017) "Effects of lavender aroma on sleep quality in healthy Japanese students." Perceptual and Motor Skills, 124:111-127. DOI: 10.1177/0031512516678323
12. Blaschek, W. (2015) Wichtl’s Herbal Remedies and Phytopharmaceuticals: A Handbook for Clinical Practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft, Munich. pp. 367–369
13. Kasper S et al. (2025) Silexan in anxiety, depression, and related disorders: pharmacological background and clinical data. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci;275(6):1621–1635. doi: 10.1007/s00406-024-01923-8. Epub 2024 Oct 25. PMID: 39453446; PMCID: PMC12500767.