Nutraceuticals such as valerian, chamomile, and ashwagandha improve sleep quality in individuals with sleep disorders

This review paper reports that nutraceuticals including Artemisia annua, valerian, rosemary, jujube, passionflower, lemon balm, ashwagandha, kava-kava, lavender, and chamomile have shown remarkable benefits in the therapy of sleep disorders. These remedies modulate neurotransmitter and hormonal pathways within sleep circuits and enhance sleep quality by alleviating stress, inflammation, and oxidative stress. The paper is a narrative review summarizing clinical studies that validated the efficacy of natural sleep aids.

Last updated: Jul 7, 2026โ€ข0 RCTsโ€ข๐Ÿ“– Read as article โ†’

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCTโ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†
Meta-analysisโ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†
Mechanismโ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Safetyโ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Integrative sleep management: from molecular pathways to conventional and herbal treatments.

observational

Ebrahim YM, Sadek MA, Sabry MO, Lotfy RM, El-Dessouki AM, Abou-Hussein D, El-Shiekh RA, ElBishbishy RM ยท Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology (2025)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Nutraceuticals including Artemisia annua, valerian, rosemary, jujube, passionflower, lemon balm, ashwagandha, kava-kava, lavender, and chamomile
Outcome: Sleep quality, sleep duration, alleviation of sleep disorder symptoms
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Individuals with sleep disorders (insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, parasomnias, circadian rhythm disorders, restless legs syndrome)

Result:

Mechanism Graph

Modulation of neurotransmitter and hormonal pathways within sleep circuits
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Alleviation of stress
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Reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress
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Enhanced sleep quality

Limitations

  • โš The paper is a narrative review and does not provide quantitative effect sizes or meta-analytic data
  • โš Specific doses and formulations of nutraceuticals are not reported in the abstract
  • โš Clinical studies cited are not described in detail, limiting assessment of methodological quality

Frequently Asked Questions

Which nutraceuticals are mentioned as beneficial for sleep disorders?โ–ผ

The review mentions Artemisia annua, valerian, rosemary, jujube, passionflower, lemon balm, ashwagandha, kava-kava, lavender, and chamomile.

How do nutraceuticals improve sleep according to this paper?โ–ผ

They modulate neurotransmitter and hormonal pathways in sleep circuits and indirectly improve sleep by reducing stress, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Are nutraceuticals considered safe for treating sleep disorders?โ–ผ

The paper states that nutraceuticals are non-toxic, non-habit-forming, and have practical efficiency, making them an outstanding choice compared to conventional drugs that are habit-forming and have withdrawal effects.

What types of sleep disorders are addressed in this review?โ–ผ

The review covers insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, parasomnias, circadian rhythm disorders, and restless legs syndrome.

Products

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References

  1. 1.Ebrahim YM, Sadek MA, Sabry MO, Lotfy RM, El-Dessouki AM, Abou-Hussein D, El-Shiekh RA, ElBishbishy RM. "Integrative sleep management: from molecular pathways to conventional and herbal treatments.." Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology, 2025. PMID: 40338321 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-025-04183-y
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.