Herbal Remedies by Symptom

Anxiety — Medicinal Plants & Herbal Remedies

The Omnia Sana plant database documents 14 medicinal plants traditionally used for anxiety. Each is rated by strength of evidence and linked to its full monograph and cited scientific sources.

Also known as: nervousness, anxious.

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AngelicaAngelica archangelica
Traditional use

Anxiolytic / sedative (anxiety, nervous tension)

Black CohoshActaea racemosa
Traditional use

Reduces neurovegetative and psychological menopausal symptoms (including anxiety and low mood)

California PoppyEschscholzia californica
Traditional use

Anxiolytic for anxiety and nervous tension - also supported by a double-blind RCT of a fixed California poppy + hawthorn (Crataegus) + magnesium combination in mild-to-moderate anxiety

Gotu KolaCentella asiatica
Traditional use

Anxiolytic / calming (anxiety)

Holy BasilOcimum tenuiflorum
Traditional use

Adaptogen for stress and anxiety (improves stress scores and well-being in trials)

Lemon VerbenaAloysia citrodora
Traditional use

Anxiolytic / calming (anxiety) - also supported by a clinical trial of the closely related Aloysia polystachya

LindenTilia cordata
Traditional use

inferred from anxiolytic action

PassionflowerPassiflora incarnata
Traditional use

Anxiolytic for anxiety and nervous tension (reduces anxiety in clinical trials); Reduces preoperative / situational anxiety without sedation or psychomotor impairment (RCT in ambulatory surgery patients)

Psilocybin mushroomsPsilocybe cubensis
Traditional use

Reduced anxiety in clinical and preclinical studies

SkullcapScutellaria lateriflora
Traditional use

Anxiolytic for anxiety and nervous tension (the flavonoids baicalin and baicalein bind the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor); a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in healthy volunteers found significantly improved overall mood without loss of energy or cognition

Sweet FlagAcorus calamus
Traditional use

inferred from anxiolytic action

VervainVerbena officinalis
Traditional use

Nervine / anxiolytic for nervous tension and mild anxiety; supports sleep (traditional) - a crude extract showed anxiolytic, sedative and anticonvulsant activity in animal models

Wild LettuceLactuca virosa
Traditional use

inferred from anxiolytic action

Wood BetonyStachys officinalis
Traditional use

Gentle calmative for anxiety; Nervine / relaxant for nervous tension and tension headaches (especially headache worsened by anxiety or muscle tension)

Educational information compiled from the Omnia Sana plant database. Not medical advice — always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.