Lavender in pregnancy and breastfeeding

What NCCIH says about safety

It is likely safe to consume lavender in the amounts typically used in foods. Oral lavender products might be safe in the short-term and in the amounts tested in studies of anxiety or other conditions. However, some people may experience adverse effects such as diarrhea, headache, nausea, or burping. Aromatherapy with lavender oil is considered possibly safe, but it may cause headache or coughing. Topical products containing lavender may cause allergic skin reactions in some people. A few cases of swelling of breast tissue have been reported in children who used topical products containing lavender. However, it’s unclear whether the lavender was responsible for the breast swelling, a condition that can have many causes. There are theoretical reasons to suspect that lavender might interact with some sedative drugs or herbs, which is especially important if you have an upcoming surgical procedure. If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using lavender or other herbal products; some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways. Little is known about whether it’s safe to use lavender during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Quoted in full from NCCIH so nothing is lost in summarising. Where they say “little is known”, that means the studies do not exist — not that the herb is known to be safe, and not that it is known to be harmful.

How much is actually known

Studies have been done on the use of lavender products for a variety of conditions, but more high-quality research is needed to reach reliable conclusions about its effectiveness.

What the research has found

Studies have suggested that a lavender oil product, taken orally, might be beneficial for anxiety, including anxiety with co-occurring symptoms of depression. However, the research has several limitations, such as the small sample sizes of the studies, a lack of independent funding and testing, and a lack of participant diversity. Initial reports of small sample size have indicated that oral lavender capsules or lavender tea might reduce symptoms of depression in some people, but because the research is preliminary, it should be interpreted with caution. Topical (on the skin) lavender does not seem to have an effect on symptoms of depression. One preliminary study with seventy-two postmenopausal women aged 50-65 years suggested that a lavender oil product, taken orally, might offer some relief for menopause-related sexual dysfunction, but more reliable evidence is needed to confirm effects. It’s unclear whether aromatherapy with lavender oil has benefits for anxiety, stress, symptoms of depression, some types of pain, sleep quality or insomnia, or other conditions. However, some people have reported feeling a sense of improved quality of life from aromatherapy with lavender oil. One preliminary study suggested that lavender syrup might reduce cough severity in people with COVID-19; however, more reliable evidence is needed to confirm any effects.

Before you take this

Dose and form change the answer completely. A culinary amount of a spice, a cup of tea, and a concentrated supplement extract are three different things, and most research is done on the last of them.

Supplements are also not regulated like medicines, so strength and purity vary between products. Bring the actual bottle to your midwife, doctor or pharmacist — that conversation is worth more than any page, including this one.