Lavender Safety

If you have any allergies or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should talk to your healthcare provider about lavender safety warnings and precautions before using the product. It's important to know that lavender may interact with certain medications. There have also been reports of breast development and enlargement in boys who applied lavender products to the skin.

 

Is Lavender Safe?

Lavender is a flowering plant used for aromatherapy, as an herbal remedy, and for various other uses. Check with your healthcare provider before using lavender if you:
 
  • Have any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
  • Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding.
     
You should also be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 

Specific Lavender Warnings and Precautions

Warnings and precautions to be aware of concerning the safety of lavender include the following:
 
  • There have been reports of breast development and enlargement in boys who applied lavender products to the skin. It is thought that lavender may have estrogen-like effects.
     
  • Lavender may interact with some medications (see Lavender Drug Interactions).
     
  • It is not known whether lavender is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women (see Lavender and Pregnancy and Lavender and Breastfeeding).
     
(Lavender Safety Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;