Effectiveness of Lesser-Known Herbal Sedatives for Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis

Herbal sedatives are increasingly promoted as natural sleep aids and are widely used, often despite limited robust evidence (1). While preliminary studies suggest potential benefits, the overall research remains fragmented, inconsistent, and based primarily on small-scale trials (2). Certain herbs, like Rhodiola rosea, may negatively impact sleep due to their stimulating effects when not used properly (3). Others, such as California poppy, contain active compounds that warrant careful safety assessments (4). While some sedative herbs like valerian and chamomile have been studied (6), many such as passionflower, sweet violet, lotus, and California poppy still lack rigorous scientific evaluation (7). Conducting a systematic review could clarify whether these less-researched herbal remedies for insomnia have sufficient empirical support to inform clinical decision-making for healthcare providers and policy developers<br>