A case series on the use of lavendula oil capsules in patients suffering from major depressive disorder and symptoms of psychomotor agitation, insomnia and anxiety.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Symptoms of agitation, anxiety and insomnia are frequent among patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) during the first weeks of psychiatric care. But a substantial number of patients declines taking pharmaceutical medication to avoid side effects. Therefore, an alternative herbal medication is needed. Clinical studies demonstrated that lavender oil capsules, termed Lasea®, have an anxiolytic effect comparable to Lorazepam and significantly reduce insomnia and agitation in non-depressed patients. Therefore, the aim of this retrospective case series was to analyze the effectiveness of Lasea® for patients with MDD and symptoms of anxiety, insomnia and psychomotor agitation.

DESIGN:

Eight cases were analyzed retrospectively regarding the dosage, length of treatment, possible side effects and effectiveness of Lasea®.

SETTING:

All cases were treated at the Department of Psychiatry at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin in a naturalistic setting.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:

Effectiveness was measured by a change in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) total score and subscores.

RESULTS:

In 6 cases, the combination of Lasea® and an antidepressant resulted in a reduction of MDD. Lasea® also reduced agitation in 6 cases. Psychological anxiety was reduced in 5, somatic anxiety in 4 cases whereas sleep-onset and sleep-maintenance insomnia improved in 3 cases each.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results demonstrate that Lasea® reduces some of the anxiety related symptoms and sleep disturbances in MDD patients. Furthermore Lasea® significantly reduces psychomotor agitation. Additionally, the results indicate a significant global improvement stemming from the combinational therapy of Lasea® and antidepressant medication.

• Authors: Maria Fißler, Arnim Quante
• Journal: Complementary therapies in medicine (Complement Ther Med) Vol. 22 Issue 1 Pg. 63-9 (Feb 2014) ISSN: 1873-6963 [Electronic] Scotland
• PMID: 24559818 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents
• Oils, Volatile
• Plant Oils
• lavender oil

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antidepressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Depressive Disorder, Major (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Female
• Health Status Indicators
• Humans
• Lavandula
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Oils, Volatile (therapeutic use)
• Plant Oils (therapeutic use)
• Psychomotor Agitation (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders (drug therapy, physiopathology)