The Sleep Study That Made us Love Lavender Even More
- Ashley Place
- May 14
- 2 min read
Updated: May 15
Here at the farm, the roosters start crowing pretty early . Which is probably why we always tend to tune in when scientific research comes across about simple things that help us rest a little better... add lavender to the mix, and of course it's a must read.
A study published by our friend Dr. Angie Lillehei, in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, followed 79 college students who reported having sleep issues, including her daughter, who was having trouble getting to sleep. The goal of the researchers was to see whether inhaling Lavandula Angustifolia (English Lavender) essential oil alongside developing healthy sleep habits would make any difference compared to practicing good sleep hygiene alone.
Both groups worked on a broad scope of better bedtime habits over the course of five nights, but one group also wore a lavender-infused inhalation patch while they slept.
Interestingly enough, the lavender group consistently reported better sleep quality overall. Participants also said they woke up feeling more refreshed, and some of the positive effects were still noticeable two weeks later.
What we love about this study is that it wasn’t trying to turn lavender into some magical cure-all. The researchers actually found that people weren’t necessarily sleeping longer, but better. They woke up feeling more well rested. That’s likely why so many people naturally build it into their evenings, without even realizing it. A lavender lotion before bed, pillow mist on the linens, or a hot shower with lavender body wash followed by clean sheets.
We learned more through observation, when guests come back to tell us that a lavender product accidentally became part of their nighttime routine. Little purple products tend to make evenings feel calmer, prettier, slower, and just a little more intentional.
That’s the best thing about wellness - sometimes it's just intrinsic, found in tiny habits that make your day feel a little softer around the edges.
Angie Lillehei PhD, MPH, RN
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