Herbs

Herbs: what peer-reviewed studies say each one helps with, and how strong the evidence is.

Ashwagandha — Ashwagandha root extracts lower anxiety and stress scores and cortisol levels in meta-analyses of randomized trials, and small trials suggest better sleep.
Bacopa Monnieri — Bacopa is one of the most studied natural nootropics.
Boswellia — Boswellia extract, made from the resin of the Indian frankincense tree, may ease knee osteoarthritis pain and stiffness, and some trials show better joint func…
Chamomile — Chamomile extract reduced generalised anxiety more than placebo in small trials, and sleep quality improved modestly in meta-analyses.
Cinnamon — Several meta-analyses report lower fasting blood sugar with cinnamon, mainly in type 2 diabetes.
Feverfew and butterbur — Butterbur, a Petasites root extract sold as Petadolex, may reduce how often adults get migraines, based on several small placebo-controlled trials.
Ginger — Ginger may ease nausea in early pregnancy, and trials found it eased nausea after surgery, period pain and knee osteoarthritis pain, although most of these tri…
Ginkgo Biloba — Ginkgo is among the most studied natural nootropics, with the clearest signals on perceptual and motor tasks.
Peppermint Oil — Pooled analyses of small trials find that enteric-coated peppermint oil eases IBS symptoms and belly pain more than placebo.
Rhodiola Rosea — Standardized Rhodiola rosea extracts modestly reduce mental fatigue and burnout symptoms during periods of psychological stress.
Saffron — Saffron may modestly ease self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms, according to a 2026 meta-analysis of 34 trials.
St John's Wort — St John's wort extracts ease mild to moderate depression: in pooled trials they worked better than placebo and about as well as standard antidepressants, with…
Turmeric — Several meta-analyses find curcumin eases knee osteoarthritis pain in short trials, though results vary widely.