Lavender for Stress Relief

Research suggests that lavender, primarily through aromatherapy inhalation or aromatherapy massage, may help reduce certain physiological and psychological markers of stress, including salivary chromogranin A, heart rate, blood pressure, and self-reported stress symptoms, though the evidence is drawn largely from small pilot studies, quasi-experimental designs, and preliminary investigations rather than large-scale randomized controlled trials. Two randomized controlled trials found encouraging results, with one showing reduced salivary chromogranin A after lavender inhalation and another finding lower heart rate and blood pressure following aromatherapy massage in nurses, though cortisol levels, a commonly cited stress marker, did not show consistent changes across studies. Some findings are mixed, including one study suggesting that individuals with medium to high baseline stress may respond differently or less favorably to lavender aromatherapy compared to those with lower stress levels, and another noting only partially significant results across measured time points. Overall, the body of evidence points in a generally supportive direction, but the small sample sizes, varied methodologies, and lack of large confirmatory trials mean these findings should be considered preliminary, and readers are encouraged to consult relevant research directly when evaluating lavender's role in stress management.