Its effects on anxiety are already well-established—does it also help with depression?
Lavender was the topic of a previous post about alternative treatments for anxiety and depression. That post summarized randomized controlled trials testing the use of lavender in various forms (tea, massage oil, pill, and inhalation) to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. In another post, I discussed the fact that depression and anxiety often co-occur in the same individual. The reason for this common comorbidity is not entirely understood, but neurobiological pathways may explain this phenomenon. Whatever the cause of this comorbidity, finding an effective treatment that targets both anxiety and depression is an important goal.
Silexan, derived from Lavandula angustifolia flowers, is a lavender oil preparation in capsule form. It has been tested in randomized controlled clinical trials regarding its effectiveness at reducing anxiety symptoms or treating diagnosed anxiety disorders. From prior testing, Silexan has been found to also reduce depressive symptoms.
The purpose of this meta-analysis was to more fully assess the anti-depressant effects of Silexan in patients that have both anxiety and depression. Only randomized clinical trials were included using the same dosage of Silexan (treatment group) vs. a placebo (control group) over 10 weeks. Included trials had to specifically measure changes in depression in addition to anxiety.
Although patients in the clinical trials did not experience the same severity of anxiety or depressive symptoms, Silexan lead to a reduction in both anxiety and depression symptoms between pre- and post-treatment. Their symptoms were also significantly lower at the end of the trials in comparison to the control group. However, the authors added, “our analyses also reveal that patients with more severe depressive symptoms at baseline tended to show more pronounced symptom alleviation during treatment with Silexan” (p. 60) Therefore, it may be harder to detect improvement in patients with only mild depressive symptoms.
Of note is the fact that these clinical trials did not include patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). No trials to date have tested Silexan with that group. The present meta-analysis included patients with mild depressive symptoms, but not diagnosed MDD. Future research will need to test this promising compound with MDD patients to determine if it can become a recommended treatment for that disorder.
Bartova, L., Dold, M., Volz, H. P., Seifritz, E., Möller, H. J., & Kasper, S. (2023). Beneficial effects of Silexan on co-occurring depressive symptoms in patients with subthreshold anxiety and anxiety disorders: randomized, placebo-controlled trials revisited. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 273(1), 51-63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-022-01390-z
©Jennie Dilworth, Ph.D