Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), a sweet smelling herb traditionally used to treat insomnia and other mood disorders, was tested in human studies for its effects on anxiety and other stress-related conditions. A review of three randomized, double-blind clinical trials found that an oral formula prepared with lavender oil (silexan) showed it reduced symptom levels in patients with diagnosed anxiety disorders comparable to the pharmaceutical anti-anxiety drug lorazepam.²⁵