What is it:

Chamomile is a daisy-like plant and is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It is classified as an herbal supplement.^1-2 It comes in 350mg capsules, and various other unmarked dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

photo credit: Small dark sweat bee on chamomile via photopin (license)

What it does:

Chamomile enhances GABA and serotonin neurotransmission.³

Dosage

The optimal dose is 220mg once to five times daily.¹

Considerations:

Chamomile has the potential for mild side effects, including upset stomach.¹

Other names:

German chamomile, Matricaria recutita, Chamomilla recutita

What is it:

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). However, when it is taken orally as an amino acid, it does not cross the blood-brain barrier, so taking it orally does not reach the brain. Despite this, there is one study that shows it may have an effect on phobic anxiety.^1-2 It comes in 250mg and 500mg capsules, and in various unmarked dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine)

What it does:

GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which reduces hyperactive fear circuits.¹

Dosage

The optimal dosage is 500mg twice or three times daily.¹

Considerations:

GABA has the potential for mild side effects, such as sedation.¹ GABA should not be considered for anxiety treatment, as oral GABA does not cross the blood-brain barrier.

Other names:

4-aminobutanoic acid

What is it:

Galphimia glauca is a flowering plant that grows in Latin America and South America. It is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and is classified as an herbal supplement.¹ It comes in various unmarked dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine)

photo credit: Galphimia-gracilis_HaydenCampbell_Cutler_20151205_093734 via photopin (license)

What it does:

Galphimia glauca modulates the serotonergic system in the brain.²

Dosage

The optimal dosage is 310mg daily.¹

Considerations:

Galphimia glauca has the potential for a few side effects, including fatigue, dry mouth, tearing in the eyes, poor concentration, confusion, weakness, bleeding, dizziness, nausea, and headache.¹

Other names:

Golden Thryallis

What is it:

Known as the maidenhair tree from China, it is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and adjustment disorder with anxiety. Ginkgo is classified as an herbal supplement.^1-2 It comes in 60mg, 120mg and 500mg capsules, and various other unmarked dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

photo credit: IMG_2642 via photopin (license)

What it does:

Ginkgo inhibits stress-induced corticosteroid release.³

Dosage

The optimal dose is 240mg to 480mg daily.¹

Considerations:

Ginkgo has the potential for a few side effects, including allergic skin reactions, pounding heartbeat, constipation, dizziness, headache, and upset stomach.¹

Other names:

Ginkgo, maidenhair tree

What is it:

Inositol is a naturally-occurring carbohydrate, tastes half as sweet as sugar (sucrose), and is found in fruits and lechitins. Inositol is used to treat panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It is classified as a dietary supplement.1 It comes in 250mg and 500mg capsules.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine)

What it does:

Inositol increases the serotonergic signal in the brain, and thought to have a similar effect as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).²

Dosage

The dose range is 500mg to 1000mg twice or three times daily. The optimal dosage is 1500mg daily.¹

Considerations:

Inositol has the potential for a few side effects, including dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and headache.³ KalmPro has the right amount of inositol in it, and is effective for anxiety, as indicated in research studies.

Other names:

Cyclohexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol, cyclohexanehexol

What is it:

Made from the root of the plant Piper methysticum (from the pepper family) that grows in the South Pacific, kava is used to treat anxiety disorders and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It is classified as an herbal supplement.1-2 It comes in 250mg and 500mg capsules.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

photo credit: Piper methysticum (kava): Shot hole via photopin (license)

What it does:

Kava modulates GABA activity³ and can take up to 2 months to work for anxiety.

Dosage

The maximum dose is 250mg kavalactones daily.¹

Considerations:

Kava has the potential for a few side effects, including liver failure, hepatitis, abnormal muscle spasms, scaly and yellowed skin, and drowsiness.² Liver damage risk appears to be decreased at dosage levels below 250mg daily.¹ Due to serious liver complications, kava is not recommended as a supplement for anxiety.

Other names:

Kava kava, kava pepper, awa

What is it:

Lavender is a flowering plant in the mint family and native to the Old World (Europe and the Mediterranean). It is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and is classified as an herbal supplement.^1-2 It comes in 400mg capsules, and various other unmarked dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

What it does:

Lavender has a similar mechanism of action as benzodiazepines, but without the sedative or addictive potential.³

Dosage

The optimal dose is 80mg daily.¹

Considerations:

Lavender has the potential for a few side effects, including headache, constipation, and changes in appetite.² Many manufacturers produce capsules which are excessively above the optimal dosage of 80mg daily. KalmPro has the right amount of lavender in it.

Other names:

Lavendula

What is it:

Lemon balm is an herb in the mint family, and is from Europe and the Mediterranean. It is used for anxiety disorders, non-clinical anxiety, and insomnia, and is classified as an herbal supplement.¹ It comes in 400mg and 500mg capsules, and in various unmarked dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine)

What it does:

Lemon balm enhances GABA and decreases stress-induced corticosteroid levels.²

Dosage

The optimal dosage is 80mg three times daily.¹

Considerations:

Lemon balm has the potential for mild side effects, such as wheezing, dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.¹ Many formulations dose lemon balm too high for anxiety. KalmPro has the right amount of lemon balm in it to help for anxiety, as indicated in research studies.

Other names:

Melissa officinalis

What is it:

L-lysine and l-arginine are amino acids, and classified as dietary supplements. L-lysine and l-arginine are found in red meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products. They are used in combination to treat non-clinical anxiety.^1-2 Both come in 1000mg capsules and various other unmarked dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine)

What it does:

L-lysine and l-arginine work by acting as a partial serotonin antagonist and a partial benzodiazepine agonist.³

Dosage

The optimal dose is 2.64 grams of each daily.¹

Considerations:

L-lysine and l-arginine have the potential for a few side effects. Lysine can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, high cholesterol, and gallstones. Arginine can cause cramps, diarrhea, nausea, asthma, allergies, low blood pressure, and changes to blood glucose.¹

Other names:

2,6-Diaminohexanoic acid (lysine), 2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic acid (arginine)

What is it:

L-theanine is an amino acid, and is found in green tea. L-theanine is used to treat non-clinical anxiety, and is classified as a dietary supplement.^1-2 It comes in 100mg and 200mg capsules, and various other unmarked dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine)

What it does:

L-theanine enhances GABA and serotonin in the brain.³

Dosage

The dose range is 100mg to 200mg once or twice daily.¹

Considerations:

L-theanine has the potential for mild side effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, and dizziness.¹ Many formulations do not have the right amount of l-theanine to be effective for anxiety. KalmPro has the right amount of l-theanine to be effective for anxiety.

Other names:

L-γ-glutamylethylamide, N5-ethyl-L-glutamine

What is it:

Melatonin is a hormone that we naturally make in our bodies. It is used in non-clinical anxiety, and is classified as a dietary supplement.^1-2 It comes in 1mg, 3mg, 5mg, and 10mg tablets, and various other unmarked dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine)

What it does:

Melatonin modulates GABA, and is protective against sleep deprivation-induced anxiety.³

Dosage

The optimal dose is 3mg to 6mg daily.¹

Considerations:

Melatonin has the potential for a few side effects, including sedation.¹

Other names:

N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine

What is it:

Omega 3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids found in both plant and animal sources. It is used for non-clinical anxiety and is classified as a dietary supplement.^1-2 It comes in various dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine)

What it does:

Omega 3 fatty acids appear to inhibit the HPA axis and hence reduces anxiety.³

Dosage

The optimal dose is 2.5 grams (2085 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 348 mg docosahexanoic acid (DHA)) daily.¹

Considerations:

Omega 3 fatty acids has the potential for mild side effects, including nosebleeds, rash, loose stools, nausea, heartburn, bad breath, and belching.¹

Other names:

ω-3 fatty acids

What is it:

Passionflower is a flowering plant and grows in tropical regions. It is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and pre-surgery anxiety, and is classified as an herbal supplement.^1-2 It comes in 350mg, 500mg, and 1000mg capsules, and various other unmarked dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

photo credit: “Passiflora caerulea” via photopin (license)

What it does:

Passionflower enhances GABA by blocking the reuptake of GABA.³

Dosage

The optimal dose is 90mg daily.¹

Considerations:

Passionflower has the potential for a few side effects, including dizziness, confusion, and sedation.2 Many manufacturers produce capsules which are excessively above the optimal dosage of 90mg daily. KalmPro has the right amount of passionflower in it.

Other names:

Passiflora, passion flower, Maypop

What is it:

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, and is found in most protein-based foods. It is used for social anxiety disorder and is classified as a dietary supplement.^1-2 It comes in 500mg, 1000mg, and 1500mg capsules, and various other unmarked dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine)

What it does:

Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin.

Dosage

The optimal dose is 250mg daily.¹

Considerations:

Tryptophan has the potential for mild side effects, such as sedation. However, pharmaceutical-grade tryptophan is associated with a serious side effect, eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS). But when tryptophan is given as an intact protein (such as in deoiled gourd seed), the risk of EMS is almost zero. When intact protein tryptophan is given with a high glycemic carbohydrate, it is effective for anxiety.¹

Other names:

2-Amino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoic acid

What is it:

Scullcap is a flowering plant and grows worldwide. It is used in non-clinical anxiety, and is classified as an herbal supplement.¹ It comes in 400mg, 425mg, and 440mg capsules, and various other unmarked dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine)

photo credit: Skullcap via photopin (license)

What it does:

Scullcap enhances GABA activity, and is a GABA receptor agonist.²

Dosage

The optimal dose is 1 gram to 2 grams three times daily.¹

Considerations:

Scullcap has the potential for a few side effects, including sedation.¹

Other names:

Skullcap, helmetflower

What is it:

Valerian, a flowering plant that originates from Europe and Asia, is used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It is classified as an herbal supplement, and is made from the roots of Valerian.^1-2 It comes in 250mg, 500mg, and 650mg capsules, and various other unmarked dosages from various manufacturers.

(Learn more from the NIH U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)

What it does:

Valerian enhances GABA activity.³

Dosage

The optimal dose is 765mg daily.¹

Considerations:

Valerian has the potential for mild side effects, including drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, and stomach upset.²

Other names:

Garden heliotrope, all-heal