Herbal products such as Bacopa monnieri, Crocus sativus, and Ginkgo biloba show clinical promise for mental health symptoms in children and adolescents
A systematic review of 29 clinical trials identified several herbal products with clinical promise for pediatric mental health, including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression. Eighteen trials targeted pathological conditions and eleven addressed borderline symptoms like nervous agitation, restlessness, or sleep disturbances.
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Herbal products such as Bacopa monnieri, Crocus sativus, and Ginkgo biloba show clinical promise for mental health symptoms in children and adolescents The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 32/100 (low).
The Claim
Herbal products such as Bacopa monnieri, Crocus sativus, and Ginkgo biloba show clinical promise for mental health symptoms in children and adolescents
This conclusion is most relevant to: Children and adolescents with mental health symptoms (including pathological conditions and borderline/subthreshold symptoms).
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Medicinal Plants for Child Mental Health: Clinical Insights, Active Compounds, and Perspectives for Rational Use. (Children (Basel, Switzerland), 2025) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Herbal compounds interact with multiple molecular targets
- ▸Bioinformatic predictions show polypharmacological activity
- ▸Pathways involve neuroinflammatory, neuroprotective, and neurotransmitter-related mechanisms
- ▸Result: Potential therapeutic effects on mental health symptoms
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Children and adolescents with mental health symptoms (including pathological conditions and borderline/subthreshold symptoms)
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Only 29 clinical trials were identified, indicating limited evidence base
- ▸The review does not provide specific effect sizes or quantitative synthesis of results
- ▸Standardized preparations and clinical oversight are required but not consistently ensured across studies
Frequently Asked Questions
Which herbal products showed clinical promise for child mental health?▼
The review identified Bacopa monnieri, Crocus sativus, Ginkgo biloba, Hypericum perforatum, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, Panax ginseng, Passiflora incarnata, Pinus pinaster, Valeriana officinalis, and Withania somnifera as showing clinical promise.
What mental health conditions were studied in children?▼
The studies covered attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, and borderline symptoms such as nervous agitation, restlessness, and sleep disturbances.
How many clinical trials were included in this review?▼
The systematic review included 29 clinical trials, with 18 targeting pathological conditions and 11 addressing borderline symptoms.
What are the limitations of using herbal products for pediatric mental health?▼
Limitations include a limited evidence base with only 29 trials, lack of specific effect sizes, and the need for standardized preparations and clinical oversight to ensure safety and efficacy.
References
- 1.Rigillo G, Blom JMC, Cocchi A, Martinucci V, Favaro F, Baini G, Cappellucci G, Tascedda F, Biagi M. “Medicinal Plants for Child Mental Health: Clinical Insights, Active Compounds, and Perspectives for Rational Use..” Children (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. PMID: 41007011 DOI: 10.3390/children12091142