Indications Anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, tension, and pain syndromes. Mechanism of Action The neurophysiological activities of Piper methysticum are attributed primarily to the lipophilic resinous compounds, known as kavalactones (also known as kava pyrones), found in the root. To date, 18 different kavalactones have been identified; however, approximately 96% of the…
Indications Adrenal fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia. Mechanism of Action The withanolides, a group of steroidal lactones, are credited with adrenal supportive effects.1 Steroidal compounds in plants are structurally similar to human steroids, and many are noted to have numerous physiological effects. Animal studies suggest that ashwagandha is a γ-aminobutyric acid…
Indications Insomnia and possibly nervousness and anxiety. Mechanism of Action Several constituents of Valeriana officinalis have been found to have sedative or anxiolytic properties. These constituents are valerenic acid (VA), 6-methylapigenin (MA), (2S)-hesperidin (HN), and the flavonoid glycoside linarin (LN). VA and MA have been shown to have GABAergic activity.…
Indications Insomnia, anxiety, and nervous tension. Mechanism of Action The above-ground parts, principally the leaves and flowers, are used medicinally. Two important flavonoids found in Scutellaria are baicalin and wogonin. They are thought to be GABAergic, binding to the benzodiazepine site of the γ-aminobutyric (GABA) receptor, and thereby have a…
Related Species Rhodiola imbricate, Rhodiola sachalinensis. Indications An adaptogen used to help the body adapt to physical, mental, and environmental stresses; increase energy, stamina, strength, and mental capacity; improve athletic performance and sexual function; and balance mood for depressive and anxious states. Mechanism of Action Rhodiola root contains phenylpropanoids and…
Indications To improve general health and vitality as an adaptogen, adrenal fatigue, stress, anxiety, depression, diabetes, poor circulation, infections, colds, flu, and fever. Mechanism of Action The mechanisms of action of Ocimum sanctum have not yet been thoroughly investigated. Chemical constituent assays have identified the ocimumosides and cerebrosides active in…
Indications Anxiety and insomnia. Mechanism of Action The most studied constituents in the volatile oil of Nepeta cataria, Nepeta persica, and other Nepeta species are diastereomeric nepetalactones and monoterpenoids such as linalool. Nepeta persica contains a volatile oil that consists of 2.8% and 30.5% of a combination of linalool and…
Indications Hypertension, arrhythmia and nervous palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia. Mechanism of Action Melissa contains phenolic acid derivatives such as rosmarinic and the related lithospermic and chlorogenic acids,1 and it is a natural inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzymes.2 Rosmarinic acid and the triterpenoids oleanolic acid and ursolic acid inhibit γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)…
Indications Cardiac insufficiency, tachycardia or other arrhythmias, hypertension, stress and anxiety, and hyperthyroidism. Mechanism of Action Leonurus cardiaca contains monoterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, nitrogen-containing compounds, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids and phenolic acids, lectins, and phytosterols as well as volatile oils, sterols, and tannins. Quality Leonurus products should contain at least 0.2% flavonoid, often…
Indications Insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety. Mechanism of Action The pharmacological activity of Humulus is principally due to resin (lupulin) from the dried, female-flowering parts (strobiles). It is believed that the constituents in Humulus resin contribute to increasing levels of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter of the…
Indications For managing pain, anxiety, and insomnia. Provides relaxation, mild sedation, or both while treating a variety of disease states. Nonaddictive, safe, gentle, nonnarcotic pain relief. Mechanism of Action Some books have reported Eschscholzia to contain trace amounts of morphine, but there are no published studies attesting to the veracity.…
Indications Cardiovascular conditions such as congestive heart failure, coronary circulation problems, weak cardiac output, hypertension, angina, arrhythmias, and atherosclerosis. Hawthorn is also used as a sedative and anxiolytic. Mechanism of Action Proanthocyanidins, a group of flavonoid compounds in hawthorn berries are credited with much of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.…
