Lavender Tea

Overview

Lavender tea is made from lavender flowers (Lavandula angustifolia Miller). The oil is a different product, covered in Essential Oils. [1]

What EU regulators concluded

The EU monograph describes lavender flower as a traditional herbal medicinal product for relief of mild symptoms of mental stress and exhaustion and to aid sleep, based exclusively on long-standing use. [1] In the EU, the herbal medicines committee (HMPC) accepts this kind of use as "traditional use": the effectiveness is considered plausible and the product has been used safely for at least 30 years (at least 15 within the EU), although clinical trial evidence is insufficient. That is a regulatory category, not proof from trials. [1]

What NIH says

NIH says it is likely safe to consume lavender in food amounts, oral lavender products might be safe short term, but side effects such as diarrhea, headache, nausea or burping can occur, and there are theoretical reasons lavender might interact with sedative drugs or herbs. [2] NIH's evidence for anxiety is for a specific oral lavender oil product, not tea. [2]

What the EU monograph describes for the tea (not a recommendation)

For adolescents, adults and the elderly: 1 to 2 g of the flowers in 150 ml of boiling water as an infusion, 3 times daily. Use in children under 12 is not recommended. [1] This describes an authorised product; it is not a personal recommendation.

Safety

• Contraindication: hypersensitivity to the active substance. [1]
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety has not been established, and use is not recommended. [1]
• Interactions: none reported in the monograph; NIH describes theoretical sedative interactions. [1][2]
• Tinctures containing ethanol must carry ethanol labeling. [1]