London - Lavender may be more effective than drugs at treating anxiety.
Researchers have found that patients prescribed silexan, a lavender preparation taken by mouth, had lower anxiety ratings than those taking either a placebo or an antidepressant.
The ten-week study, from the Medical University of Vienna and other centres, involved more than 500 people diagnosed with anxiety disorders.
Results show that the anxiety score dropped by 14.1 points for the lavender group, 11.3 points for those taking the antidepressant, paxil, and 9.5 points for the placebo.
It’s thought that lavender, like paxil, has an effect on brain chemicals involved in anxiety - however, those taking the lavender had fewer side-effects. - Daily Mail