THE USE OF HERBAL MEDICINES IN THE TREATMENT OF ANXIETY IN ADULTS: SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE AND THERAPEUTIC PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in the adult population, characterized by symptoms such as apprehension, insomnia, fatigue, and functional impairment. Conventional treatments, mainly based on benzodiazepines and antidepressants, are effective but are associated with limitations such as dependence, adverse effects, and low adherence, justifying the search for complementary alternatives. In this context, herbal medicines have aroused increasing interest due to their anxiolytic action related to the modulation of neurotransmitters such as GABA and serotonin, in addition to greater acceptance by patients. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of using herbal medicines in the treatment of anxiety in adults. This is a narrative literature review conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases, encompassing publications between 2020 and 2025. Clinical trials, systematic reviews, and experimental studies that investigated species such as *Passiflora incarnata*, *Valeriana officinalis*, and *Matricaria recutita* were included. The results showed that these herbal remedies are significantly effective in reducing anxiety symptoms, with a safety profile superior to psychotropic drugs, although methodological limitations, such as small sample sizes and lack of standardization, still restrict definitive conclusions. It is concluded that herbal remedies constitute a promising therapeutic resource, especially in mild to moderate cases, provided they are used rationally and with professional supervision.