Evidence supporting the use of: Geraniol
For the health condition: Insomnia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Geraniol, a monoterpenoid alcohol found in essential oils like rose and citronella, has a long history of use in aromatherapy and traditional herbal medicine. In particular, it is used in traditional practices for its purported calming and relaxing effects, which are believed to support sleep and alleviate insomnia. However, there is limited direct historical documentation specifically linking geraniol itself (as opposed to geraniol-containing plants or oils) to insomnia treatment. Most references are to the broader use of essential oils containing geraniol in folk remedies for relaxation or sleep.
From a scientific standpoint, evidence for geraniol's efficacy in treating insomnia is sparse. A handful of animal studies suggest that geraniol and some essential oils containing it can have mild sedative or anxiolytic effects, possibly via modulation of neurotransmitter systems, but these findings are preliminary and not specific to human insomnia. Clinical trials directly investigating geraniol’s impact on human sleep are lacking. Most of the support for its use comes from anecdotal reports and extrapolation from general sedative effects observed in related compounds.
In summary, while geraniol is traditionally used in aromatherapy as a sleep aid, there is insufficient scientific validation for its use in treating insomnia. The evidence rating reflects the predominance of tradition over empirical research in this context.
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ashwagandha
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
calcium
California poppy
cassia bark
chamomile
cherry
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
Coptis chinensis
fennel
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gooseberry
gotu kola
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heartwood
hops
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
maca
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
ophiopogon root
orange
passionflower
perilla
phytocannabinoids
pollen
polygala root
quail egg
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
scrophularia root
skullcap
valerian root
vitamin B6
zinc
catnip
tangerine
anise
blackboard tree
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
morus
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
ganoderma
lotus seed
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purslane
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peach
wood betony
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soursop
Aralia
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Angelica
Apigenin
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Albizia
Agarwood
Anemone
Alpha lactalbumin
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Baikal Skullcap
Blackthorn
Balsam
Bayleaf
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Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bupleurum
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cactus
Cyathula
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Cannabinol
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Cherimoya
Corydalis
Carthamus
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
David's Milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
Elk antler
Elephant's Head
Embelia
Glycine
jasmine
Lotus
Lily
Little ironweed
Mallow
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Orchid
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
walnut