Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/ ZENODOarrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Article . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
versions View all 2 versions
addClaim

Phytotherapy for Anxiety: A Narrative Review of Efficacy, Mechanisms and Clinical Considerations

Authors: Calçada, Ema Simões; dos Santos, Liliana Sampaio;

Phytotherapy for Anxiety: A Narrative Review of Efficacy, Mechanisms and Clinical Considerations

Abstract

Background: Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health conditions world-wide, and current pharmacological treatments, although effective, are often associated with ad-verse effects and incomplete symptom remission. These limitations have intensified interest in complementary and alternative therapeutic approaches, including herbal medicine.Objective: This narrative review examines the evidence supporting the use of medicinal plants for the management of anxiety, highlighting their mechanisms of action, clinical efficacy and safety considerations.Methods: A search of the scientific literature was conducted to identify studies investigating me-dicinal plants traditionally used for anxiety treatment. Particular attention was given to findings related to phytochemical activity within the central nervous system, clinical outcomes and re-ported adverse effects.Results: Several plants, including Valeriana officinalis, Passiflora incarnata, Melissa officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla L., Withania somnifera and Lavandula angustifolia, demonstrate anxio-lytic effects supported by preclinical and clinical evidence. Their primary mechanisms involve modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission, alongside antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. Despite these promising results, the literature shows considerable variability in study design, formulation standardisation and sample size, limiting the generalisability of findings.Conclusions: Herbal medicine presents a valuable complementary approach to anxiety man-agement, offering potential therapeutic benefits with generally favourable safety profiles. Nev-ertheless, further high-quality, standardised clinical trials are necessary to confirm efficacy, es-tablish optimal dosages and ensure long-term safety. Integrating herbal therapies into broader healthcare frameworks requires strengthened regulation, professional training and informed public use.

Related Organizations
Keywords

Complementary Therapies, Herbal Medicine/methods, GABAergic Activity, Herbal Medicine, Anxiety/rehabilitation, Anxiety, Phytotherapy/methods, Anxiolytic Plants, Anxiety disorders, Phytotherapy

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green
Related to Research communities
STARS EU