Last spring, my son got sick. He was in pain for nearly half a year. It was so acute that he missed months of school. My husband and I took him to doctor after doctor, and he had every diagnostic test available, but we couldn’t identify the source of the problem (stomach and chest pain) and therefore, could not figure out how to heal him. He would come to me and say. “Mommy, I’m in so much pain”, and there was nothing I could give him, nothing I could tell him, no way to comfort him, and no end in sight. I tried to be his rock, to be empathetic without showing fear (doctors had started suggesting scary diseases) or despair (nothing was working), but I slowly started coming apart, watching my child suffer all the time. And then I started crying. All the time. Because I could not help him.

And then someone recommended lavender pills. For me, not him (not for kids). I wasn’t convinced. I thought–yeah, it has a nice smell, big whoopie. Yes, it would be nice to lie in a field of lavender in the South of France, but that’s not going to solve anything. And then I decided to investigate the product, and I learned that clinical trials had been done that demonstrated clear benefits. And then I googled reviews of the pills and found that they had helped hundreds of people. So I finally tried them.
And I felt calmer. And saner. And better able to cope. I couldn’t believe it.
So now I recommend it all the time. I recommended it to a musician friend when he was nervous about an upcoming recital. I recommended it to a friend who was stressed about traveling. And a friend who was experiencing marital problems. And a friend who was taking a bunch of exams. And on and on. Many people are aware of the flower and the essential oil. Lots of people like the scent for soap or for a sachet in their underwear drawer. Very few people seem to realize that lavender actually has clinical benefits. So I’m spreading the good news. This can help you.
Are there Clinical Trials?
Professor of psychiatry Dr. Siegfried Kasper was involved in several clinical trials at the Medical University of Vienna and was enthusiastic about the results: ‘’This is a very exciting development for anxiety as the research demonstrates the lavender oil capsules not only reduce both physical and psychological symptoms of anxiety but also have a beneficial effect on health-related quality of life, without problems such as sedation, addiction or interaction with other medications.
Lavender has long been used in India and Tibet as an analgesic and antidepressant. Extracts were used to treat migraines. But it’s nice to also have double blind placebo studies to confirm its efficacy.
The only downside, which is mentioned often in reviews, is what’s called “lavender burps”. Occasionally you will burp and experience the taste of lavender. Weird, but not really offensive.
I took the pills on and off for about a month until my son started to slowly recover. It turned out that the problem was not an infection or a parasite or esophagitis or pancreatitis or gastritis or allergies or diabetes or gluten or dairy or anxiety. Every doctor had a different theory about what was going on (the first suspected appendicitis, the last tested him for cystic fibrosis), but in the end, the pain (and other abnormal markers) seem to have been caused by huge swollen lymph nodes in his intestines that may have been triggered by the flu virus. We’ll never know for sure, but we finally got our lives back.
Now I take lavender as needed when something comes up that stresses me out. I keep the pills in the silverware drawer so they’re always handy.

Are you suggesting that at the onset of a ‘stress’, for example, taking a pill right away helps?
Or how many days does it take to feel the effects of lavender? Does it only come in one size dose?
Hi Fern, both are good questions. The clinical trials seem to evaluate after two weeks, but there are indications that the benefits are felt within a day. There is probably some variation based on personal sensitivity, gender, and weight. The oral version of lavender–the pill–has been formulated as a once-a-day dose. Several companies make a similar pill at a comparable dose. It is likely that after additional studies are completed, more products will become available and there may be more of a range of dosage.
I love new alternative therapies!!!!
Good to know…thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Michelle, there are so many great natural products with little or no side effects and I can’t wait to share more…
I’m just reading this entry today, and glad too know about it. Many of us are in ongoing anxiety at the current state of the country, along with everything else. Feeling vulnerable in large crowds, at services, and now concerts. I’ve been carrying a tiny bottle of lavender oil to smell for the same reason, but glad to know about these pills.
Hi Nina, Is there a particular brand and low dosage you recommend? Can these be bought at Central Market or HEB?
Thanks for sharing and very glad to hear that he’s doing better.
Hi Wendie, here is a doctor’s opinion on dosage:
“This is a great question given the available evidence and my clinical experience. The first studies that were published on the use of oral lavender oil were on 80 mg. This was shown to be an effective dose. In very simple terms, I like using the lowest effective dose of a number of agents. This one is no different. I start at 80 mg and if, after consultation, the patient and I decide that a higher dose is needed, I make that recommendation.
I feel comfortable with the increased dose because of the published studies using the higher dose, but I do not find it necessary to begin there. In some circumstances, I may recommend that the patient make the decision on their own and just report to me if they have decided to increase the dose. This provides them a bit of flexibility in its use and I can keep track of what dose they routinely use.”
Read the whole interview here:
https://www.integrativepro.com/Resources/Integrative-Blog/2017/Oral-Lavender-Supplement-Dosing-Considerations
From a quick online search it does not appear that either HEB or Central Market carries it. But you can order it online here:
https://www.integrativepro.com/products/neuroendocrine/lavela-ws-1265
and through Amazon.
Let me know if it works!