Silexan lavender (oral WS 1265)
Standardised oral lavender oil preparation (Lasea), registered in DE/AT for subthreshold and generalised anxiety with multiple RCTs and head-to-head non-inferiority to lorazepam.
Why
Silexan (WS 1265) is a patented standardised oral preparation of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil, registered as the medicinal product Lasea in Germany and Austria. Distinct from inhaled or topical lavender aromatherapy and from the existing lavender catalogue entry. Multiple RCTs (Kasper 2010 onwards) document significant reductions in subthreshold and generalised anxiety, with a head-to-head non-inferiority RCT against lorazepam in GAD (Woelk 2010). The Möller 2019 meta-analysis confirmed effect on Hamilton Anxiety Scale across the GAD trial set.
How it works
Linalool and linalyl acetate (the principal monoterpenoid actives) reduce presynaptic calcium influx in serotonergic and noradrenergic neurons via voltage-dependent calcium channel modulation. Non-benzodiazepine GABAergic involvement is proposed but pharmacologically distinct.
Expected onset · Effects emerge over 1–2 weeks; full effect by 6–10 weeks
How to take
Dosage
Silexan (Lasea): 80 mg once daily (one soft gelatine capsule).
Timing
Once daily, morning or evening as preferred
On the label
Specifically 'Silexan' or 'WS 1265' or 'Lasea': the registered medicinal preparation. Generic lavender oil capsules are not pharmacologically equivalent.
Ideal for
Adults with subthreshold anxiety, mixed anxiety-depression, or generalised anxiety disorder seeking a non-benzodiazepine, non-SSRI option, particularly when pharmaceutical sedation is unwanted.
Safety
Evidence
Woelk 2010 Phytomedicine head-to-head non-inferiority RCT (n=77 GAD): Silexan 80 mg/day non-inferior to lorazepam 0.5 mg/day on HAM-A score over 6 weeks, with no sedation and no dependence signal. Möller 2019 meta-analysis confirmed effect on Hamilton Anxiety Scale across the trial set. Registered as the medicinal product Lasea in DE/AT: a clinical-grade regulatory anchor.
- Kasper et al., Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2014, Silexan in anxiety disorders: clinical data and pharmacological background (review)
- Woelk & Schläfke, Phytomedicine 2010, multi-center, double-blind, randomised study of Silexan vs lorazepam in subjects with generalised anxiety disorder
- Möller et al., Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2019, beneficial effects of Silexan in subsyndromal anxiety: meta-analysis of randomised, placebo-controlled trials
Where to get it
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