Stress (adaptogens)

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera

A 2024 meta-analysis of 9 trials (558 people) found ashwagandha lowered Perceived Stress Scale scores (by about 4.7 points), anxiety scores and serum cortisol compared with placebo. NCCIH: some preparations may help with stress; trials are small.

Bay laurel

Laurus nobilis

In the same uncontrolled Tunisian study, daily bay-leaf tea for 10 days was followed by lower plasma cortisol and lower stress and anxiety questionnaire scores; there was no placebo group.

Butterfly pea

Clitoria ternatea

In a 12-week study of 90 people with type 2 diabetes and moderate diabetic distress, 5–10 g of flower extract daily lowered serum protein carbonyls and raised urinary 5-HIAA (a serotonin metabolite); distress scores themselves were not reported in the abstract.

Clary sage

Salvia sclarea

In a double-blind randomised trial of 34 women with urinary incontinence, inhaling 5% clary sage oil during urodynamic testing lowered systolic blood pressure and breathing rate compared with almond oil, which the authors read as relaxation. In a 2025 randomised trial of 72 people with diabetic foot ulcers, inhaled clary sage oil reduced self-rated stress in those with mild depression; for moderate-to-severe depression, linalyl acetate alone did better. Both trials were small and short.

Damask rose

Rosa damascena

In the same meta-analysis, five trials pooled showed lower stress scores with rose-oil inhalation (SMD −0.76). Effects on depression (two trials) were not significant.

Dwarf morning glory

Evolvulus alsinoides

In rats under acute and chronic stress, an ethanol extract reduced stress markers such as stomach ulcers, adrenal weight and corticosterone, about as much as American ginseng. These are animal data only.

Holy basil (Tulsi)

Ocimum tenuiflorum

A placebo-controlled trial in 150 stressed adults (400 mg extract three times daily for 6 weeks) reported less fatigue and fewer sleep and sexual problems; two studies reported 31–39% falls in stress-symptom scores. Trials are short and few were well blinded.

Kava

Piper methysticum

Commission E approved kava for 'nervous anxiety, stress and restlessness'; the authors of the negative 2020 trial suggest any benefit may be for short-term, situational anxiety rather than diagnosed disorders.

Lemon verbena

Aloysia citrodora

EMA traditional use for mild symptoms of mental stress. An 8-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a verbascoside-standardised extract (400 mg capsules) reported lower perceived stress and lower cortisol.

Roseroot

Rhodiola rosea

Covered by the same EU traditional indication. Open-label studies in people with life stress or burnout reported improvement, but without a placebo group. NCCIH concludes there isn't enough reliable evidence for any health purpose.

Satsuma

Citrus unshiu

In a double-blind trial in 23 women during a stressful pharmacy placement, β-cryptoxanthin-rich satsuma juice (125 ml daily) prevented the evening rise in salivary amylase, a stress marker, seen with placebo juice. The study was very small and measured a marker, not symptoms.

Valerian

Valeriana officinalis

EMA well-established use for relief of mild nervous tension (dry extract) and traditional use for mild symptoms of mental stress (tea, tinctures); NCCIH finds the evidence too thin for conclusions about stress.

American skullcap

Scutellaria lateriflora

Traditionally used for anxiety, stress and insomnia in North America; the Cherokee took a decoction 'for nerves'.

California poppy

Eschscholzia californica

EMA traditional use for relief of mild symptoms of mental stress, based on long-standing use.

Cancer bush

Lessertia frutescens

Recorded Zulu use after battle to induce calm and by widows in grief; lab work shows extracts reduce cortisol production in adrenal cells.

English lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

EMA traditional use of the flower and the oil for relief of mild symptoms of mental stress and exhaustion; the HMPC found the trials too small to establish an effect.

Gambian tea bush

Lippia multiflora

In Ghana the leaves are made into a herbal tea drunk for its aroma and for stress relief. Not clinically tested.

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna

EMA traditional-use indication for relief of mild symptoms of mental stress, based on long use rather than trials.

Maypop

Passiflora incarnata

EU traditional-use indication for relief of mild symptoms of mental stress, documented in European handbooks since 1938. NCCIH finds not enough evidence for stress.

Motherwort

Leonurus cardiaca

EMA traditional use to relieve symptoms of nervous tension, based on continuous use documented in Europe for several centuries. No efficacy studies were found.

Oat

Avena sativa

EMA traditional use of the herb for relief of mild symptoms of mental stress. A 2024 randomised trial of a green oat extract (900 mg/day, 145 people cutting down on smoking) found greater falls in perceived stress than placebo.

Small-leaved lime

Tilia cordata

EMA traditional-use indication: relief of mild symptoms of mental stress. A lime-flower extract acted on peripheral benzodiazepine receptors in lymphocytes in lab tests, but there are no clinical trials.

White's ginger

Mondia whitei

Roots are used for stress and mental disorders, and in southern Africa for nervous conditions; extracts of cultured roots inhibited acetylcholinesterase in the test tube.