Full profile
| Also known as | Silexan, Lavandula angustifolia oil |
|---|---|
| Best for | Easing occasional nervous tension · Calm without sedation |
| Evidence grade | Grade B · Moderate: several human trials, some mixed results |
| Studied dose range | 80–160 mg/day as a softgel. |
| Time to effect | Some effect within 2 weeks; trials commonly run 6–10 weeks. |
| Best form | Silexan (WS 1265), a proprietary CO2-extracted lavender oil softgel. |
Evidence, honestly graded
Five or more double-blind RCTs plus independent meta-analyses support the Silexan (WS 1265) extract, with trials showing meaningful reductions in anxiety-scale scores versus placebo and no sedation or dependence signal on its own studied endpoints. Capped at B because the pivotal trials were largely run in subthreshold or clinical-anxiety populations rather than healthy adults under everyday stress, and the key trials are Schwabe-sponsored (the extract's developer).
See the full grading rubric (study type, replication, population match, and dose adequacy) in The Evidence Standard.
389 natural health products with an active licence in Health Canada's LNHPD list Lavender (oral) as a medicinal ingredient.
That makes Lavender (oral) a recognized, licensable medicinal ingredient in Canada, regulated by Health Canada's Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate, which issues each licensed natural health product a Natural Product Number (NPN). Search the LNHPD to verify.
Side effects
- Lavender-scented burping ("eructation"), the most common complaint
- Generally well tolerated otherwise
Who should avoid it or check first
- Pregnant or breastfeeding without clinician guidance
Interactions
- No major known drug interactions in trials, but discuss with a clinician if on other calming or psychiatric medication
Stacks well with
What to look for on a label
- Say "eases occasional nervous tension," never "treats anxiety." The trial populations and this brand's healthy-adult positioning are different things, and the claim language must reflect that.
- Specify the Silexan (WS 1265) extract. This is not the same product as lavender essential oil for aromatherapy.
References
- Silexan (WS 1265) double-blind RCTs and independent meta-analyses. Five or more double-blind, placebo-controlled trials plus independent meta-analyses reporting reductions in anxiety-scale scores versus placebo in anxiety-trial populations, with no sedation or dependence signal on the studied endpoints. Some trials used an active comparator arm; we report only Silexan's own studied endpoints. Representative independent meta-analysis: Dold 2023 (PMID 36717399). Schwabe-sponsored pivotal trials, noted as the honest funding caveat. Educational, not a treatment claim.
Grades and studied doses are our conservative reading of the human research, shown for education. They are not product claims, and a studied dose is not a recommended dose.
Revision history
Every change to this ingredient's evidence status, dated and explained. The full cross-library log lives at Evidence Updates.
- 2026-07-07New profile
Initial profile published at Grade B: five or more double-blind RCTs plus independent meta-analyses support the Silexan extract on anxiety-scale endpoints, with no sedation or dependence signal on its studied endpoints.
See how Lavender (oral) compares on grade, dose, and goal in the Evidence Explorer.
