Nervous System
Anxiety
Ongoing worry, nervousness or unease. Anxiety can be treated; see a health professional if it is severe, doesn't go away, or gets in the way of daily life. Don't stop prescribed anxiety medicines without advice.
Several of these herbs can make you sleepy and add to the effects of alcohol and of sleep or anxiety medicines, so don't drive if they make you drowsy. Some, such as kava, have been linked to liver damage. For ongoing anxiety, low mood or sleep problems, talk to a health professional. These herbs are listed because of traditional use or research, not because they're proven treatments.
16 herbs
Each note says whether the link comes from traditional use or research, and what the research found.
AshwagandhaWithania somniferaA review of trials found less anxiety than with placebo, though NCCIH says its effect on anxiety specifically is unclear.
Bitter OrangeCitrus aurantiumIn small studies, breathing in bitter orange oil lowered anxiety before a medical test and during a stressful task. Whether aromatherapy with it helps is unclear.
ChamomileMatricaria chamomillaEarly studies suggest it may help generalized anxiety disorder.
Gotu KolaCentella asiaticaA small study suggests it may ease generalized anxiety disorder; larger studies are needed.
Holy BasilOcimum tenuiflorumA small study in people with generalized anxiety disorder found less anxiety after 8 weeks.
KavaPiper methysticumMay ease anxiety short term, but doesn't appear to help generalized anxiety disorder, and has been linked to serious liver damage.
LavenderLavandula angustifoliaResearch suggests lavender oil taken by mouth might help anxiety, but the studies have limitations.
Lemon BalmMelissa officinalisA review of trials found it reduced anxiety in several age groups.
LemongrassCymbopogon citratusUsed as a calming tea, but in a study of 18 anxiety-prone people it didn't reduce anxiety.
Lion's ManeHericium erinaceusReduced anxiety and depression signs in animals; human research on mood is limited.
Osmanthus FragransOsmanthus fragransOsmanthus oil aromatherapy reduced anxiety during colonoscopy in one trial.
Passion FlowerPassiflora incarnataA small amount of research suggests it may ease anxiety, including before surgery, but results aren't definite.
Pepper ElderPiper amalagoUsed for anxiety in Brazilian traditional medicine. This use hasn't been tested in people.
Siamese CassiaSenna siameaSold in Thailand as an anti-anxiety product, but animal tests found no anti-anxiety effect, and it has caused hepatitis.
SkullcapScutellaria laterifloraTraditionally used for anxiety. In one small study of healthy adults it improved overall mood, but anxiety scores weren't clearly better than a dummy pill.
ValerianValeriana officinalisTraditionally used in Europe for anxiety and restlessness. A review found a modest, inconsistent effect.