title: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight cases were analyzed retrospectively regarding the dosage, length of treatment, possible side effects and effectiveness of Lasea®.
  
  
  METHODS
  All cases were treated at the Department of Psychiatry at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin in a naturalistic setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fißler
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: arnim.quante@charite.de.
authors.forename: Arnim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quante
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D027523:Lavandula; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; C045718:lavender oil
keywords: Agitation; Anxiety; Herbal pharmacotherapy; Insomnia; Lavendula oil; Major depressive disorder