Comparison of the effect of lavender and bitter orange on sleep quality in postmenopausal women: A triple-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial

Abstract

This trial compared the effects of lavender and bitter orange on sleep quality in postmenopausal women. This trial was conducted in 2015. Eligible postmenopausal women were allocated into one of two intervention groups or a control group (n = 52 per group) in a 1:1:1 ratio using a randomized block design. Intervention groups received 500 mg capsules containing only bitter orange or lavender flower powder, and the control group received 500 mg capsules containing starch. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory was used before and eight weeks after starting the intervention. Data analyses were based on intention to treat. A one-way ANOVA showed a slightly significant difference in mean sleep score among the three groups before the intervention (p = .045). The general linear model, adjusted for baseline sleep score and confounding factors, showed significant differences among the groups in the mean sleep score after eight weeks of treatment (p < .001). Bitter orange and lavender significantly improved the mean sleep score compared with the control group (p < .001 and p = .003, respectively). The positive effect of bitter orange and lavender on sleep quality in postmenopausal women suggests that they can be used to improve sleep quality in such women.

Effect of Lavender on Sleep, Sexual Desire, Vasomotor, Psychological and Physical Symptom among Menopausal and Elderly Women: A Systematic Review

“…In second trial, Kamalifard et al [16]. in duplicate publication published in Persian databases randomized 104 patients to two groups to receive 500-mg lavender capsule (n = 52) or 500-mg placebo capsule (n = 52).…”

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Effect of Herbal Medicine to Manage Sleep Dysfunction in Peri- and Postmenopause

“…One trial 15 compared 3 groups of bitter orange, lavender and placebo. The mean difference of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) total score showed more prominent decrease in the lavender group (MD = −0.596; P = 0.003; 95% CI, −0.989 to −0.203; P = 0.003; 1 trial) and bitter orange (MD = −0.665; P = 0.001; 95% CI, −1.059 to −0.270; 1 trial) compared to placebo.…”

Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects

“…Recently, a great interest in these EOs has been observed in the context of alternative medicines such as aromatherapy. It was demonstrated that these substances, after vaporization and inhalation, are effective for treating different forms of anxiety, sleep, and libido, and reduce seizures in animal models [ 38 , 39 , 198 , 199 , 200 , 201 ]. The mechanism of action of the plant’s ingredients, however, is not fully elucidated.…”

“…The mechanism of action of the plant’s ingredients, however, is not fully elucidated. Anxiolytic and hypnotic effects are seemingly due to the combination of the action of the plant’s aroma on the limbic system through olfaction and the direct action of terpenes on GABAergic and serotoninergic (5-HT 1A ) receptors [ 39 , 202 , 203 ].…”

“…Adverse effects are mild and transient; psychiatric and neurological effects are reported in Table 1 . The US Food and Drug Administration confirmed that oral administration of bitter orange extracts is safe [ 39 ], and its derivatives have gained popularity as dietary supplements over the last few years [ 200 , 204 ]. Standardized derivatives containing 4–6% synephrine, an ephedrine-like alkaloid naturally occurring in C. aurantium and possessing α- and β-adrenergic properties, are available [ 3 , 40 , 205 ].…”