Evidence supporting the use of: Rauvolfia vomitoria
For the health condition: Anxiety Disorders

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Rauvolfia vomitoria has a long history of traditional use in African medicine for various nervous system disorders, including anxiety, agitation, and insomnia. The plant contains several bioactive alkaloids, most notably reserpine, which is known to affect neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Early mid-20th-century pharmacological studies on reserpine demonstrated its sedative and antihypertensive effects, which led to its use in Western medicine primarily for hypertension and certain psychiatric conditions (such as agitation and psychosis), rather than specifically for anxiety disorders. However, in traditional settings, the calming and tranquilizing effects of Rauvolfia vomitoria extracts have been attributed to their ability to “quiet the mind” and “soothe nerves.”

Modern scientific studies directly investigating Rauvolfia vomitoria for anxiety disorders are limited and mostly preclinical. Some animal studies report anxiolytic-like properties, but these findings are preliminary and not robustly replicated in human trials. The use of reserpine itself is now rare due to its potential for serious side effects, including depression. Overall, while the plant’s use for anxiety is well-established in traditional medicine, high-quality clinical evidence supporting its efficacy and safety for anxiety disorders is lacking.

More about Rauvolfia vomitoria
More about Anxiety Disorders

Other health conditions supported by Rauvolfia vomitoria

Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Depression
Hypertension
Mental Illness
Pain (general remedies for)

Products containing Rauvolfia vomitoria

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.