Silexan, an orally administered Lavandula oil preparation, is effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders and related conditions

Four clinical trials investigating the efficacy of Silexan in anxiety and related conditions have been completed: (1) In a 10 week, double-blind, randomized study with 221 adults suffering from subsyndromal anxiety 80mg/d silexan was superior to placebo in reducing the total scores of the Hamilton Anxiety Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (HAMA, PSQI; p<0.01), and significantly more patients receiving silexan were responders or in remission; (p<0.01) [1]. (2) In 77 patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) 80mg/d silexan and 0.5mg/d lorazepam administered double-blind for 6 weeks were comparably efficacious in reducing the HAMA total score and in improving various other measures of anxiety, global impairment and sleep [2]. (3) Another randomized, double-blind, 10-week trial compared 80mg/d silexan and placebo in 170 patients with anxiety accompanied by restlessness and disturbed sleep. Silexan was superior regarding HAMA total score reduction (p<0.05) and in improving disturbed sleep (PSQI total score: p=0.09), and the patients treated with the herbal drug showed higher responder (p<0.05) and remission rates (p=0.10). (4) In an open-label study the effect of 80mg/d silexan on neurasthenia and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) was investigated (n=50). During 10 weeks of treatment the patients showed comparable, significant improvements for anxiety, depressed mood, and for waking up frequency and duration (p<0.01) [3]. In all trials silexan was very well tolerated and showed no sedative effects. The results support the efficacy of silexan in anxiety, and show perspectives for further investigations in related indications.

References: 1. Kasper S., et al. (submitted for publication).

2. Woelk H., Schläfke S. (2010) Phytomedicine 17: 94–99.

3. Stange R., et al. (2007) Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies 12 (Suppl. 1): 46.