6 Herbal Remedies for Anxiety - Healthline

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A note on supplements

Before trying any new herbal supplements for anxiety, it's important to ask your healthcare professional about potential medication interactions or safety concerns.

While herbal supplements may be used to help manage anxiety, they do not provide a cure. Therefore, when selecting supplements, be wary of products that claim to treat or cure anxiety disorders.

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Anxiety disorders affect over 18% of people in the United States every year. Over the years, treatment options for anxiety disorders have widened to include both prescription medications and natural alternatives (1).

Research suggests that several herbal supplements may be helpful in managing anxiety, though more research is needed (2).

In this article, we'll explore some of the most popular research-backed herbs for anxiety, as well as other treatment options to consider.

A quick look at the best herbs for anxiety

  • Best with ashwagandha: NOW Certified Organic Ashwagandha Extract | Skip to Review
  • Best with passionflower: NOW Passionflower | Skip to Review
  • Best with lemon balm: Mary Ruth's Lemon Balm | Skip to Review
  • Best with rhodiola: HUM Nutrition Big Chill | Skip to Review
  • Best with valerian root: Sundown Naturals Valerian Root | Skip to Review
  • Best with multiple herbs: Swanson Vitamins Full Spectrum Valerian, Chamomile, & Hops | Skip to Review

What causes anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of fear or nervousness, often associated with life stressors, like health, money, work, or relationships. While anxiety is a common response to occasional stressors, such as a job interview or a medical procedure, some people experience these feelings more often.

Anxiety disorders cause frequent intense fear or nervousness that can disrupt day-to-day life. In fact, it's estimated that up to 30% of adults experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their life (3, 4).

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety is caused by genetics and environmental factors, such as trauma, stress in childhood, or frequent negative or stressful life events. A family history of mental health conditions or anxiety can also increase your risk (4).

How can herbs help with anxiety?

Many people rely on herbs to help with mild to moderate mental health conditions, such as anxiety, to avoid the unwanted and negative side effects of medications.

Herbal medicine is a type of complementary and alternative medicine that uses medicinal plants to support optimal health or alleviate specific symptoms.

Herbs have been used to relieve mental health symptoms for centuries in some parts of the world and have gained popularity in the United States over the past few decades (5).

One review of more than 100 studies spanning over a 20-year period found that 45% of the studies demonstrated positive outcomes of herbal supplements on anxiety and depression symptoms with fewer negative effects than traditional medication (6).

Before using herbs to support your mental health and manage your anxiety symptoms, talk with a healthcare professional to avoid potential interactions with medications or health conditions.

Also keep in mind that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve herbal supplements, so choosing herbs from a reputable company is essential for safety and effectiveness.

How we chose

  • Evidence-based: All of the herbal supplements and active ingredients included have research supporting their effectiveness in managing anxiety symptoms.
  • Quality: We prioritized products that avoid fillers, additives, and artificial colors or flavors. We also looked for products that are third-party tested to ensure purity and potency.
  • Vetting: All of the herbal supplements included here were vetted to ensure they meet Healthline's medical and business standards.

Why you should trust us

Every brand and product on our list has been vetted to ensure that it aligns with Healthline's brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. Each product in this article:

  • adheres to allowable health claims and labeling requirements, per FDA regulations
  • is manufactured in facilities that adhere to CGMPs established by the FDA
  • is produced by a medically credible company that follows ethical, legal, and industry best standards
  • is made by a company that provides objective measures of trust, such as having its supplements validated by third-party labs
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Healthline's picks of the best herbs for anxiety

A note on price

General price ranges with dollar signs ($–$$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher cost.

Generally, prices range from $0.13–$0.67 per count, or $3.99–$20 per container, though this may vary depending on where you shop.

Pricing guide:

  • $ = under $0.20 per serving
  • $$ = $0.20–$0.50 per serving
  • $$$ = over $0.50 per serving

Note that the dosage recommendations vary between 1–3 capsules or drops 1–3 times daily.

Thus, a product that you need to take fewer times per day may end up being comparatively cheaper, despite having a higher price per count than a product that you need to take multiple times per day.

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Best with ashwagandha

NOW Certified Organic Ashwagandha Extract

NOW Certified Organic Ashwagandha Extract
  • Price: $$
  • Recommended dose: 1 full dropper (1 mL) 2–3 times daily
  • Type: liquid
  • Active ingredients: ashwagandha root
  • Potential side effects of ashwagandha: stomach discomfort, rash, itching

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herb used in Ayurveda, a form of alternative medicine with roots in India. It's an adaptogenic herb with a long history of use as a treatment for anxiety. Many of the active compounds in ashwagandha have been shown to have anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties (7).

NOW Ashwagandha Extract is certified organic. NOW supplements are also third-party certified by UL Solutions to ensure purity, potency, and safe manufacturing processes.

One 2019 small double-blind study in 60 adults with insomnia and anxiety found that taking 600 mg of ashwagandha daily for 10 weeks significantly improved anxiety and insomnia scores, compared with the placebo (8).

Another recent small study found that healthy adults taking 600 mg of ashwagandha daily for 8 weeks had significantly reduced cortisol (stress hormone) levels, perceived stress scores, and reduced anxiety levels, compared with those taking the placebo or a lower dose (9).

To help relieve anxiety, current research suggests taking at least 600 mg of ashwagandha per day. Each 1 mL serving of NOW ashwagandha extract provides approximately 500 mg of ashwagandha.

Keep in mind that because studies are limited, it's important to talk with your healthcare professional before using this supplement.

Pros

  • third-party certified
  • certified organic
  • non-GMO verified
  • vegan-friendly
  • liquid formulation

Cons

  • some reviewers dislike the taste
  • includes cane alcohol, which some users may prefer to avoid
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Best with passionflower

NOW Passionflower

NOW Passionflower
  • Price: $$
  • Recommended dose: 1 or 2 capsules daily, as needed
  • Type: capsules
  • Active ingredients: passionflower (flower and ariel parts)
  • Potential side effects of passionflower: drowsiness, confusion, uncoordinated movements (10)

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has been used for centuries to treat anxiety symptoms and is a common ingredient in mental wellness supplements for its potential ability to help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety (11, 12).

In one study, 40 participants were given either passionflower or midazolam (an anti-anxiety drug) 30 minutes before a tooth extraction (13).

The study found that passionflower and midazolam similarly reduced symptoms of anxiety. Additionally, unlike midazolam, passionflower did not cause negative side effects, like amnesia, after the operation.

Keep in mind that more research is needed on the long-term safety and effectiveness of passionflower supplements. Passionflower should be avoided during pregnancy because it may induce uterine contractions (10).

Additionally, as passionflower may interact with several medications, it's important to talk with your healthcare professional before taking passionflower supplements.

NOW Passionflower provides 700 mg of passionflower extract per 2-capsule-sized serving. It's also vegan-friendly and free of dairy, nuts, soy, and gluten.

NOW supplements are UL Solutions certified and tested multiple times throughout the manufacturing process.

Pros

  • third-party certified
  • dairy-, nut-, soy-, and gluten-free
  • non-GMO verified
  • vegan-friendly

Cons

  • may interact with several medications
  • not suitable for people who are pregnant
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Best with lemon balm

Mary Ruth's Lemon Balm

Mary Ruth's Lemon Balm
  • Price: $$
  • Recommended dose: 15 drops, 1–3 times per day
  • Type: liquid
  • Active ingredients: lemon balm leaf
  • Potential side effects of lemon balm: stomach upset, dizziness, allergic reaction

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is another medicinal herb traditionally used to help improve anxiety, depression, cognition, and other mood disorders (14).

Studies suggest that supplements containing 1,000–,500 mg of lemon balm may help ease symptoms of anxiety (15).

One study in 67 adults with insomnia found that taking a supplement containing 1,000 mg of lemon balm and 400 mg of lavender every night for 4 weeks resulted in significant improvements in insomnia symptoms and anxiety and depression scores (16).

Mary Ruth's Lemon Balm is vegan-friendly, non-GMO, free of artificial flavors and colors, and soy, sugar, dairy, and nut-free. It's also third-party tested, though the name of the testing organization isn't disclosed on the company's website.

Because Mary Ruth's Lemon Balm is a proprietary blend made from pure lemon balm leaf soaked in vegetable glycerin to form a tincture, the company states that it can't confirm the exact amount of lemon balm per serving.

Instead, they recommend starting with 15 drops, 1–3 times per day to find a dose that's effective for you.

Pros

  • third-party tested
  • certified organic
  • vegan-friendly
  • non-GMO
  • free of soy, sugar, dairy, and nuts
  • alcohol-free
  • pleasant taste

Cons

  • unknown amount of lemon balm per serving
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Best with rhodiola

HUM Nutrition Big Chill

HUM Nutrition Big Chill
  • Price: $$$
  • Recommended dose: 1 capsule daily with food
  • Type: capsule
  • Active ingredients: Rhodiola rosea root extract
  • Potential side effects of Rhodiola rosea: dizziness, either dry mouth or excessive saliva production (17)

Rhodiola rosea is an herb neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects that has been shown to be effective at reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in people with mild to moderate depression and generalized anxiety (18).

One study in 80 people experiencing burnout found that taking 400 mg of Rhodiola rosea for 14 days significantly improved self-reported anxiety, anger, confusion, depression, and stress, compared with the placebo group (19).

HUM Nutrition Big Chill contains 500 mg of Rhodiola rosea root extract per serving and is third-party tested for purity and potency.

The capsules are also vegan-friendly and free of artificial colors and preservative. Many reviewers claim that the supplement helps them feel calmer and better able to cope with everyday stressors.

Pros

  • third-party tested
  • subscription includes access to a registered dietitian
  • vegan-friendly
  • gluten-free
  • non-GMO

Cons

  • expensive
  • requires a subscription
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Best with valerian root

Sundown Naturals Valerian Root

Sundown Naturals Valerian Root
  • Price: $$
  • Recommended dose: 4 capsules before bedtime
  • Type: capsules
  • Active ingredients: valerian root
  • Potential side effects of valerian root: headache, upset stomach, decreased alertness, excitability, uneasiness, heart disturbances, insomnia (20)

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is an herbal supplement that is often found in tea form. Active compounds in the valerian plant have sedative properties, making this herb another popular option for anxiety (21).

One review of 60 studies found that doses ranging from 100–1,300 mg of valerian root may reduce anxiety symptoms by changing the brain's chemistry and the way it connects to anxiety (22).

Valerian root is considered safe for short-term use, up to 28 days (20).

Sundown Naturals Valerian Root is free of dairy, gluten, and artificial colors, sweeteners, and flavors.

Sundown Naturals has a great reputation in quality control and manufacturing processes. The products are also third-party tested by UL Solutions.

Pros

  • third-party tested
  • dairy- and gluten-free
  • non-GMO

Cons

  • not vegan- or vegetarian-friendly
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