Anxiety

Nutrients connected to Anxiety

A link means the body needs the nutrient for this, or that low intake is linked to it. It does not mean extra supplements help if your intake is already adequate; each link shows how strong the evidence is.

• YohimbeDocumented risk

  Anxiety and nervousness are among its most consistent side effects; MSK lists anxiety disorders as a reason to avoid it.

• Caffeine supplementsDocumented risk

  Anxiety is listed as an effect of too much caffeine; people with anxiety should ask a health professional about limiting it.

• Caffeine plus L-theanine and brain formulasDocumented risk

  Too much caffeine can cause anxiety, and people with anxiety are advised to check with a provider before using it.

• LavenderPreliminary or mixed

  An oral standardized lavender oil product showed lower anxiety scores in trials; NIH says the studies were small and lacked independent funding. Not shown for other lavender products.

• SaffronPreliminary or mixed

  Lower self-rated anxiety scores in trial meta-analyses; no significant effect on clinician-rated scales.

• Lemon balmPreliminary or mixed

  A meta-analysis of randomized trials found lower anxiety scores than placebo; few trials and high heterogeneity limit confidence.

• PassionflowerPreliminary or mixed

  Small trials suggest possible benefit; NIH says conclusions are not definite and a network meta-analysis did not find a significant effect.

• Lavender OilPreliminary or mixed

  Capsule product beat placebo in pooled trials; scent evidence is mixed.

• Chamomile Oil (Roman and German)Preliminary or mixed

  Small inhaled-oil trials report lower anxiety scores in specific groups.

• Geranium OilPreliminary or mixed

  Small inhaled trials in patients; self-rated scores.

• Neroli OilPreliminary or mixed

  Small inhaled trials in labor and acute coronary syndrome patients.

• Rose Oil (Otto and Absolute)Preliminary or mixed

  Pooled small trials of inhaled rose report lower anxiety scores; it is not a treatment for anxiety disorders.

• HopsPreliminary or mixed

  One small pilot found lower anxiety scores; not confirmed.

• JiaogulanPreliminary or mixed

  One trial in stressed healthy adults (not people with an anxiety disorder) found a lower trait anxiety score; other scales did not differ.

• KavaPreliminary or mixed

  A 2003 Cochrane review found kava extract beat placebo for anxiety over 1 to 24 weeks; NCCIH says supplements may help but the liver risk is serious.

• Rose petalsPreliminary or mixed

  Inhaled rose oil lowered anxiety scores in a 2025 review of 28 trials; very high variation and not tested for tea.

• SaffronPreliminary or mixed

  Self-rated anxiety scores were lower in pooled supplement trials; clinician-rated scales were not significant.

• Ylang Ylang OilPreliminary or mixed

  Small inhaled trials: mixed results; not shown to treat anxiety disorders.

• Lemongrass OilPreliminary or mixed

  One small trial of dental patients reported lower anxiety scores with lemongrass aroma versus no aroma. It does not show treatment of anxiety disorders.

• Lemon OilPreliminary or mixed

  Pooled scent trials report lower anxiety scores for lemon among many oils, with wide uncertainty.

• Orange Oil (Sweet and Bitter)Preliminary or mixed

  Small scent trials and a network meta-analysis report lower scores; NCCIH says benefit of bitter orange oil is unclear.

• Bergamot OilPreliminary or mixed

  Small trials of bergamot scent reported lower anxiety scores; low quality overall.

• Fennel Oil (Sweet and Bitter)Preliminary or mixed

  One small exploratory massage trial found lower anxiety scores with fennel oil massage.

• MatchaPreliminary or mixed

  One small trial of a research-formulated matcha found lower anxiety than placebo; not a treatment.

• Energy DrinksDocumented risk

  FDA lists anxiety among signs of too much caffeine; the youth review linked energy drinks with distress.

• Pre-Workout SupplementsDocumented risk

  Caffeine is linked to anxiety in sensitive people.

• Energy and Focus BlendsDocumented risk

  Too much caffeine can cause anxiety (MedlinePlus); MedlinePlus lists anxiety as a reason to check first.

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