The effect of herbal supplements on the severity of anxiety and insomnia symptoms in adults with generalized anxiety disorder or insomnia: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials
Year: 2024
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Introduction: This systematic review aimed to study the effect of different types and dosages of herbal supplements on the severity of anxiety and insomnia symptoms in adults with clinical diagnosis of either Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or Insomnia.Aims: This systematic review aims to investigate the effects of various herbal supplements on the severity and frequency of anxiety and insomnia symptoms in adults diagnosed with GAD or insomnia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria as determined by clinicians.By examining the current literature, this review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential benefits and limitations of herbal supplements as an alternative treatment option for these common mental health disorders, by assessing randomized control trials (RCTs) that assess the effect of herbs on GAD and insomnia to provide insight for future research in this field.Methodology: A comprehensive search of the PubMed database was conducted from inception to May 2024, focusing on randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that examined the effects of herbal supplements on GAD and insomnia.Studies were included if they assessed herbal treatments versus placebo or conventional medications, with outcomes measured using clinical scales like the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and polysomnography.The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.Results: Thirteen RCTs were included, comprising studies on Passionflower, German Chamomile, Galphimia Glauca, Lavender, Ashwagandha, Valerian, and Kava.Findings indicated that Passionflower improved total sleep time and sleep efficiency in insomnia patients, but subjective measures showed no significant difference from placebo.German Chamomile reduced HAM-A scores in GAD patients, but other anxiety measures were not significantly affected.Galphimia Glauca has a comparable efficacy to lorazepam in reducing anxiety with fewer side effects.Lavender showed potential benefits in improving sleep parameters and reducing postmenopausal symptoms.Ashwagandha significantly improved sleep and reduced anxiety in both healthy individuals and those with insomnia.Valerian demonstrated anxiolytic effects like diazepam, with good tolerability.And Kava reduced anxiety symptoms comparable to conventional medications like Buspirone and Opipramol, though further research is needed to confirm long-term efficacy and safety.Discussion: According to the comprehensive analysis, herbal treatments show potential as alternative treatments for anxiety and insomnia, with some demonstrating efficacy Institutional Repository -Library & Information Centre -University of Thessaly 08/01/2026 14:55:47 EET -94.177.67.18comparable to conventional medications, and high tolerability rate.However, limitations such as small sample sizes and methodological variations necessitate further rigorous research to establish their clinical utility and safety profiles.
Authors: Abou-Assaf, Razan Z., Abou-Assaf, Razan Z.
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7037266705