Supplements

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.

Last updated: Jul 7, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Medicinal Plants for Child Mental Health: Clinical Insights, Active Compounds, and Perspectives for Rational Use.

observational

Rigillo G, Blom JMC, Cocchi A, Martinucci V, Favaro F, Baini G, Cappellucci G, Tascedda F, Biagi M · Children (Basel, Switzerland) (2025)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Herbal medicines and botanical food supplements (Bacopa monnieri, Crocus sativus, Ginkgo biloba, Hypericum perforatum, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, Panax ginseng, Passiflora incarnata, Pinus pinaster, Valeriana officinalis, Withania somnifera)
Outcome: Behavioral or cognitive outcomes related to mental health symptoms (ADHD, anxiety, depression, nervous agitation, restlessness, sleep disturbances)
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Children and adolescents with mental health symptoms (including pathological conditions and borderline symptoms)

Result:

PubMed: 41007011DOI: 10.3390/children12091142

Mechanism Graph

Herbal compounds interact with multiple molecular targets
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Bioinformatic predictions show polypharmacological activity
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Pathways involve neuroinflammatory, neuroprotective, and neurotransmitter-related mechanisms
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Result: Potential therapeutic effects on mental health symptoms

Limitations

  • ⚠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.

Products

Affiliate links coming soon. We only recommend products that match the doses and forms used in the cited research.

References

  1. 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
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.