How safe is lavender oil?
The bottom line
Lavender oil is an essential oil used by inhalation for anxiety and sleep disturbances and on the skin to heal wounds. It is generally safe but can cause allergic skin reactions and photosensitivity. If it gets in the eye, irritation and burning occur. It is toxic if swallowed, resulting in potential gastrointestinal, neurologic, and respiratory symptoms.
Prevention Tips
Store lavender oil up, away, and out of sight of children.
Follow dosing directions on the label carefully.
Be sure to dilute to the recommended concentration.
Follow directions regarding its use for specific ages and health conditions.
Keep lavender oil away from the eyes.
Keep lavender oil and other essential oils away from flames since they are flammable.
For use on skin, try a patch test on a small area first.
Store in a tightly sealed amber bottle.
Store in a cool, dark place (away from sunlight).
This Really Happened
A 15-year-old girl was told by a friend that lavender oil was a good treatment for acne. She soaked a cotton ball in undiluted lavender oil, applied it to her face, and immediately noted a burning sensation. Since she thought this reaction was to be expected, she didn’t wash it off. On the second application, she again experienced a burning sensation as well as itchiness and redness.
She called her poison center, an
d when questioned about how she was using the lavender oil, she mentioned that she had not diluted it. The poison specialist told her that the skin reaction was most likely due to using undiluted lavender oil and instructed her to wash her face well with soap and water and apply a moisturizer. The specialist called back several hours later and was told that her face was less irritated and that the burning and itching had since resolved. She was told to see a health care practitioner if redness and irritation persisted.
What is lavender oil?
Lavender oil is an essential oil, which is a concentrated plant extract containing volatile chemicals. Essential oils have the smell and flavor of the plants from which they are derived. The amount of essential oil in a product varies depending on the manufacturer and how the plant is distilled. Lavender oil contains several phytochemicals including cineole, fenchol, camphor, and linalool acetate.
Health benefits of lavender oil
There are many purported health benefits of lavender oil, although the evidence for some of its uses is inconclusive. The most common uses of lavender oil are by inhalation for treatment of anxiety and sleep disturbances, as well as application to skin for the healing of wounds.
Negative side effects of lavender oil
While lavender is generally safe, some people might experience allergic skin reactions such as irritation, allergic contact dermatitis, or hives. Symptoms include dryness, itchiness, rash, and swelling. It can also be a photosensitizer leading to hyperpigmentation of the skin. If lavender oil gets into the eyes, it can cause irritation and burns.
Lavender oil can also affect hormones. It has estrogenic and antiandrogenic effects. Prepubertal gynecomastia (breast development) has been reported with chronic use of lavender oil on the skin in both boys and girls.
Is lavender oil toxic if swallowed?
Yes, lavender oil is toxic if swallowed. If an adult swallows a small amount, it will be irritating to the mouth and stomach. Very small amounts can be toxic in children and cause severe sedation. Throat pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea can occur. With larger amounts, the person may experience ataxia (abnormal gait), headache, confusion, lethargy, coma, blurred vision, and respiratory difficulty.
Have more questions about lavender oil?
If you have questions about the safe use of lavender oil or about possible adverse effects of lavender oil in the eyes, on the skin, or when swallowed, use the webPOISONCONTROL online tool to get immediate help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day
References
Vora LK, Gholap AD, Hatvate NT, Naren P, Khan S, Shavda VP, Balar PC, Gandhi J, Khatri DK. Essential oils for clinical aromatherapy: A comprehensive review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2024:330:118180.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.118180.
Wilkinson HF. Childhood ingestion of volatile oils (letter). Med J Austral 1991;154:430-431.
