The Critical Difference Between Oral Supplements and Essential Oils
It is vital to distinguish between ingestible lavender products and concentrated essential oils used for aromatherapy. While both are derived from the Lavandula plant, their processing, concentration, and intended uses are completely different.
Pharmaceutical-Grade Oral Supplements: These products, such as Silexan (found in Lasea or Lavela WS 1265), contain a standardized preparation of lavender oil and have undergone clinical trials for efficacy and safety. These are specifically formulated for internal use.
Lavender Essential Oil: The small, dark glass bottles of essential oil sold for diffusers or topical application are highly concentrated and not formulated for internal use. Swallowing even a small amount can cause significant irritation and toxicity.
Usage of Oral Lavender Supplements
For adults using regulated oral supplements like Silexan, these products have been studied in various amounts daily. Some clinical trial evidence supports the use of these preparations for conditions like anxiety.
- Anxiety Research: Studies on adults with anxiety have often used specific oral lavender products for periods of time.
- Depression Studies: One clinical trial indicated that a specialized oral lavender oil preparation showed effectiveness in patients with mild-to-moderate depression when used daily for a certain duration.
- Menopausal Symptom Research: A study using a specific amount of an oral lavender product daily over a set period showed improvements in some menopausal symptoms.
Risks and Dangers of Ingesting Concentrated Essential Oil
Consuming the concentrated lavender essential oil found in aromatherapy bottles poses serious health risks. Essential oils are extremely potent, and the body is not equipped to handle such a high concentration of plant compounds internally. A single drop can be equivalent to many cups of lavender tea, potentially leading to adverse effects.
Potential effects from ingesting concentrated lavender essential oil can include:
- Gastrointestinal Distress: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
- Central Nervous System Effects: Headache, confusion, decreased consciousness, and lethargy.
- Respiratory Issues: Difficulty breathing.
- Irritation: Burning pain in the throat and internal irritation of the digestive tract.
How to Use Lavender Safely
If you want to use lavender safely, choose the appropriate preparation for your intended purpose. This often means avoiding oral consumption of essential oil unless it's a specific, pharmaceutical-grade product under medical supervision.
Safe methods of using lavender include:
- Aromatherapy: Using a diffuser to disperse the scent of lavender essential oil into the air.
- Topical Application: Diluting lavender essential oil with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or almond oil, before applying it to the skin for massage or spot treatments. A patch test is recommended first to check for skin sensitivity.
- Herbal Tea: Making tea by steeping dried or fresh lavender flowers, a traditional and safe way to consume the herb.
- Culinary Use: Using extremely small, diluted amounts of specifically food-grade essential oil for flavoring, thoroughly dispersed in a large amount of food.
Comparison of Lavender Products: Oral vs. Topical vs. Culinary
| Feature | Oral Supplement (e.g., Silexan) | Lavender Essential Oil (Topical/Aromatherapy) | Culinary Lavender (Herbs/Food-grade oil) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended Use | Oral support for anxiety and depression, as directed by a healthcare provider. | Inhalation via diffuser, massage (diluted), baths. | Infusing flavor into food and beverages, like tea. |
| Typical Use Amount | Specific amounts in capsule form, based on product. | Varies; typically a few drops for aromatherapy or diluted in a carrier oil for skin. | Tiny amounts, often measured in fractions of a drop or using dried flowers. |
| Safety for Ingestion | Safe, when following instructions for regulated products. | Toxic, not safe for ingestion in concentrated form. | Safe, when using food-grade products in minute amounts. |
| Potency | Standardized concentration for therapeutic effect. | Extremely concentrated and potent. | Much lower concentration than essential oil. |
| Regulation | Regulated as a supplement or medicine in some regions. | Not regulated for internal consumption; labels like "food grade" are often marketing. | Varies; requires specifically certified food-grade products for safety. |
Conclusion
For those asking how much lavender oil they can take a day, the most important takeaway is to distinguish between different product types. Only specifically formulated, pharmaceutical-grade oral supplements are generally considered suitable for internal use and should be taken under medical guidance. Concentrated essential oils, while useful for aromatherapy and topical application, are toxic if swallowed and must not be ingested. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, and keep all essential oils stored safely out of the reach of children and pets. The responsible use of lavender depends entirely on understanding the right preparation for the right application.
Oral Lavender Supplement Dosing Considerations: 80 mg vs. 160 mg | Integrative Therapeutics
