Lavender has been used for centuries and shows promise for antibacterial, antifungal, and calming effects—but the research is messy. Some studies support traditional uses like reducing anxiety and helping with burns, but many have serious flaws in how they were conducted and which lavender type they tested, making it hard to know what actually works.

This was a review of existing research on lavender essential oils, examining what scientists have found about its effects on mood, physical health, and antimicrobial properties.

Funding not disclosed in abstract