Natural Products from Single Plants as Sleep Aids: A Systematic Review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#animals #disease-models-animal #humans #hypericum #kava

Natural Products from Single Plants as Sleep Aids: A Systematic Review

Kim et al., 2018 | J Med Food | Systematic Review

Citation

Kim Jungyoon, Lee Suji L, ... Kim Jieun E. Natural Products from Single Plants as Sleep Aids: A Systematic Review. J Med Food. 2018-May;21(5):433-444. doi:10.1089/jmf.2017.4064

Abstract

Insufficient sleep, insomnia, and sleep-related problems are important health issues, as their overall prevalence accounts for about 30% of the general population. The aim of this study was to systematically review previous studies investigating the effects of orally administered single plant-derived extracts on sleep-related outcomes in humans. Data sources were PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library. The data search was conducted in two steps: step 1, names of plants which have been studied as sleep aids in humans were searched and retrieved; and step 2, each ingredient listed in step 1 was then added into the search term. Only original articles or reviews were applicable to the scope of this review. Studies on human subjects, with or without sleep-related disorders, were included. Sleep-related disorders refer to not only insomnia or sleep behavior disorders but also diseases with sleep-related symptoms. Studies were considered eligible for this review when the plant extracts were administered orally. Outcome measures relevant to sleep quality, duration, or other sleep-related problems were included. Twenty-one plants were listed in the first step of the search as potential candidates for natural sleep aids. Seventy-nine articles using these single plant-derived natural products were included in the final review. Although valerian was most frequently studied, conflicting results were reported, possibly due to the various outcome measures of each study. Other plants were not as rigorously tested in human studies. There was limited evidence with inconclusive results regarding the effects of single plant-derived natural products on sleep, warranting further studies.

Key Findings

There was limited evidence with inconclusive results regarding the effects of single plant-derived natural products on sleep, warranting further studies.

Outcomes Measured

  • sleep quality

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition insomnia

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Hypericum
  • Kava
  • Lavandula
  • Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plant Preparations
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Sleep
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
  • Valerian

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: valerian

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09