Herbal products including Bacopa monnieri, Crocus sativus, Ginkgo biloba, Hypericum perforatum, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, Panax ginseng, Passiflora incarnata, Pinus pinaster, Valeriana officinalis, and Withania somnifera show clinical promise for mental health symptoms in children and adolescents.
A systematic review of 29 clinical trials identified 11 herbal products with clinical promise for pediatric mental health conditions including ADHD, anxiety, depression, nervous agitation, restlessness, and sleep disturbances. The review highlights both potential benefits and current limitations, emphasizing the need for standardized preparations and clinical oversight.
Evidence Score
Study Evidence
Study 1. Medicinal Plants for Child Mental Health: Clinical Insights, Active Compounds, and Perspectives for Rational Use.
observationalRigillo G, Blom JMC, Cocchi A, Martinucci V, Favaro F, Baini G, Cappellucci G, Tascedda F, Biagi M · Children (Basel, Switzerland) (2025)
Result:
Mechanism Graph
Limitations
- ⚠Limited number of clinical trials (29 total) with varying quality and design
- ⚠Lack of specific dosing, safety, and integrative care strategy data for pediatric populations
Frequently Asked Questions
Which herbal products showed clinical promise for child mental health?▼
Eleven herbal products were identified: Bacopa monnieri, Crocus sativus, Ginkgo biloba, Hypericum perforatum, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, Panax ginseng, Passiflora incarnata, Pinus pinaster, Valeriana officinalis, and Withania somnifera.
What conditions were studied in the clinical trials?▼
The trials covered pathological conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression, as well as borderline symptoms such as nervous agitation, restlessness, and sleep disturbances.
What are the main limitations of using herbal products for pediatric mental health?▼
The review highlights limited clinical trial evidence, lack of standardized dosing and safety data for children, and the need for clinical oversight and further research.
What mechanisms might explain the effects of these herbal products?▼
Bioinformatic analyses suggest polypharmacological activity involving neuroinflammatory, neuroprotective, and neurotransmitter-related pathways.
Products
Affiliate links coming soon. We only recommend products that match the doses and forms used in the cited research.
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