Top Supplements for Calming the Mind: Ashwagandha, Passionflower, and More
Discover effective supplements for reducing anxiety and soothing the mind, including Ashwagandha, Passionflower, Valerian Root, Chamomile, and Lavender. Learn about their benefits, evidence, and potential interactions to make an informed choice.
What is best for calming the mind?
Effective supplements for calming the mind and reducing anxiety include several herbal and nutritional options. Here are some of the most studied and promising:
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Ashwagandha: Known for its adaptogenic properties, ashwagandha has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety significantly12. It works by lowering cortisol levels and enhancing the body's resilience to stress.
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Passionflower: Some clinical trials suggest that passionflower can help alleviate anxiety3. It is often included in formulations with other herbs, which can make it hard to isolate its effects, but it is generally considered safe for short-term use.
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Valerian Root: Valerian is another well-known herb used for anxiety and stress relief3. The evidence on its effectiveness is mixed, but it may be beneficial for some people.
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Chamomile: This herb has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, particularly in short-term use3. Chamomile may also interact with blood-thinning medications, so caution is advised.
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Lavender: Available in both oral supplements and as essential oil for aromatherapy, lavender has some evidence supporting its use in reducing anxiety3. However, children and teens should avoid oral lavender due to potential hormone disruption.
For specific products containing these ingredients, you might want to explore options. Would you like me to search for supplements containing any of these ingredients?
Footnotes
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Cynthia Weiss. "Mayo Clinic Q and A: Can ashwagandha supplements help with stress and anxiety relief?" Mayo Clinic News Network, 2023. ↩
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Office of Dietary Supplements. "Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep?" NIH, 2023. ↩
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Shaheen E Lakhan. "Nutritional and herbal supplements for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders: systematic review" PubMed, 2010. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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