Synopsis

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

Relora® is a proprietary blend of extracts from Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense, two plants used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its use for supporting anxiety disorders is primarily justified by emerging scientific evidence, although this evidence is limited and of moderate quality. Several small, randomized, placebo-controlled studies have evaluated Relora® for its effects on stress, anxiety, and related symptoms. For example, a 2008 pilot study published in Nutrition Journal found that Relora® supplementation reduced transient anxiety and improved mood in moderately stressed adults. Another study in 2013 showed reductions in cortisol levels and perceived stress among overweight women using Relora®, which may be relevant since chronic stress and anxiety often correlate with elevated cortisol. The proposed mechanism involves modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and GABAergic neurotransmission, likely due to bioactive compounds honokiol and berberine found in the extracts.

However, the overall evidence base remains small, with sample sizes typically under 100, short durations (usually 4-8 weeks), and limited focus on clinically diagnosed anxiety disorders rather than general stress or mood. There are no large-scale, long-term clinical trials specifically addressing anxiety disorders according to DSM-5 criteria. Therefore, while preliminary scientific evidence supports Relora® for stress and mild anxiety, robust data for its use in anxiety disorders is lacking. More high-quality research is needed to establish its efficacy and safety for this indication.

More about relora® (proprietary)
More about Anxiety Disorders

Other ingredients used for Anxiety Disorders

Other health conditions supported by relora® (proprietary)

Products containing relora® (proprietary)

Douglas Laboratories Relora ®-Plex