Supplements

Herbal supplements such as Valeriana officinalis improve sleep quality in individuals with insomnia.

This narrative review found that herbal supplements including Valeriana officinalis demonstrated sedative effects and improvements in sleep quality in clinical studies. The review highlighted modulation of GABAergic pathways as a key mechanism, but also noted risks such as excessive sedation and herb-drug interactions.

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. 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
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Serotonergic activity
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Regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
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Sedative and anxiolytic effects improving sleep

Limitations

  • ⚠Narrative review design without systematic meta-analysis, limiting quantitative synthesis
  • ⚠Clinically relevant risks identified including excessive sedation and cytochrome P450-mediated drug interactions

Products

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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.