Supplements

Herbal supplements including Valeriana officinalis improve sleep quality in patients with anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

This narrative review found that herbal supplements such as Valeriana officinalis, Passiflora incarnata, and Withania somnifera demonstrated sedative effects and improvements in sleep quality in clinical studies. The review highlights that these benefits are accompanied by risks including excessive sedation and herb-drug interactions.

Last updated: Aug 26, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

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

Study Evidence

Study 1. Efficacy and Safety of Herbal Supplements with Anxiolytic, Antidepressant, and Sedative Action: A Review of Clinical Data and Toxicological Risks.

observational

Căuș MN, Lupoae M, Chițescu CL · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Various herbal supplements including Valeriana officinalis, Passiflora incarnata, and Withania somnifera
Outcome: Sleep quality, sedation, mood, stress levels
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Patients with anxiety, depression, and insomnia

Result:

PubMed: 41901246DOI: 10.3390/ph19030399

Mechanism Graph

Modulation of GABAergic pathways
↓
Modulation of monoaminergic pathways
↓
Regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
↓
Sedative and anxiolytic effects leading to improved sleep quality

Limitations

  • ⚠Narrative review design without systematic meta-analysis limits quantitative synthesis of effect sizes
  • ⚠Significant heterogeneity in study designs, dosages, and herbal preparations across included studies

Frequently Asked Questions

Which herbal supplements were found to improve sleep quality?▼

Valeriana officinalis, Passiflora incarnata, and Withania somnifera were among the supplements showing sedative effects and sleep quality improvements.

What are the main safety concerns with these herbal supplements?▼

Key risks include excessive sedation, cytochrome P450-mediated drug interactions, serotonin syndrome, and toxic effects from adulterated products such as hepatotoxicity and cardiovascular events.

How do these herbal supplements work to improve sleep?▼

Proposed mechanisms include modulation of GABAergic and monoaminergic pathways, serotonergic activity, and regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Should these supplements be used without medical supervision?▼

No, the review emphasizes that clinical monitoring is necessary due to potential herb-drug interactions and safety concerns, especially with over-the-counter use.

Products

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

References

  1. 1.Căuș MN, Lupoae M, Chițescu CL. "Efficacy and Safety of Herbal Supplements with Anxiolytic, Antidepressant, and Sedative Action: A Review of Clinical Data and Toxicological Risks.." Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. PMID: 41901246 DOI: 10.3390/ph19030399
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.