Pros and cons with herbal treatments for anxiety

Several herbal remedies have been studied as a treatment for anxiety, but more research is needed to understand the risks and benefits. Here’s what we know — and don’t know:

Kava. Kava appeared to be a promising treatment for anxiety, but reports of serious liver damage — even with shortterm use — caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue warnings about the use of dietary supplements containing kava. While these initial reports of liver toxicity have been questioned, involve your doctor in the decision if you’re considering using products containing kava.

Passion flower. A few small clinical trials suggest passion flower might help with anxiety. In many commercial products, passion flower is combined with other herbs, making it tough to distinguish the qualities of each herb. Some studies found passion flower can cause drowsiness, dizziness and confusion.

Valerian. Valerian is generally considered safe at recommended doses, but since long-term safety trials are lacking, don’t take it for more than a few weeks at a time, unless your doctor approves. It can cause some side effects such as headaches, dizziness and drowsiness.

Camomile. Limited data shows that short-term use of camomile is generally considered safe and can be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety. But camomile can increase the risk of bleeding when used with blood-thinning drugs. Use of camomile can cause allergic reactions in some people who are sensitive to the family of plants that includes camomile. Other members of this family are ragweed, marigolds, daisies and chrysanthemums.

Lavender. Some evidence suggests that oral lavender or aromatherapy with lavender can reduce anxiety. However, evidence is preliminary and limited. Oral lavender can cause constipation and headaches. It can also increase appetite, increase the sedative effect of other medications and supplements, and cause low blood pressure.

Lemon balm. Preliminary research shows lemon balm can reduce some symptoms of anxiety, such as nervousness and excitability. Lemon balm is generally well-tolerated and considered safe for short-term use, but can cause nausea and abdominal pain.

If you’re considering taking any herbal supplement as a treatment for anxiety, talk to your doctor first, especially if you take other medications.

More serious forms of anxiety generally need medical treatment or psychological counselling (psychotherapy) for symptoms to improve.