Can you treat lice with lavender oil?

Lavender oil is often promoted as a natural treatment for head lice due to the insect repelling properties of some essential oils. However, there is no scientific evidence to show that lavender oil is effective in completely eliminating head lice.

Lavender oil contains compounds such as linalool, which can have a repellent effect on insects, including lice. Compared to other treatments such as tea tree oil, lavender oil has a milder, more pleasant scent, which can make it more appealing to use.

There are only a few studies supporting the effectiveness of lavender oil against lice, and those studies are often limited in scale and methodology. In many cases, lavender oil has not been shown to be as effective as traditional lice treatments. Lavender oil may repel lice, but it is less effective at killing both adult lice and nits (lice eggs).

Lotions and shampoos containing permethrin or pyrethrins are generally considered more effective and have been approved by health authorities such as the FDA and EMA. Regular wet combing of the hair with a fine-toothed lice comb is a mechanical method that can be effective, especially when used in conjunction with a treatment. For persistent cases, stronger treatments such as malathion or ivermectin may be necessary, which should be prescribed by a doctor.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/lice/about/head-lice.html

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-08-28 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025