Evidence supporting the use of: Gerovital H3
For the health condition: Nervous Exhaustion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Gerovital H3, developed by Romanian physician Ana Aslan in the 1950s, is primarily marketed as an anti-aging formulation containing procaine hydrochloride, often stabilized with other compounds. Its use for "nervous exhaustion" (a term historically related to neurasthenia or chronic fatigue) is based mainly on traditional and anecdotal reports, rather than robust scientific validation. In Eastern Europe, particularly Romania, Gerovital H3 was widely used in the mid-20th century for various ailments, including those related to nervous system fatigue and decline. Reports claimed improvements in mood, cognition, and general vitality among elderly or "exhausted" individuals. However, these claims were largely based on uncontrolled observations, testimonials, and open-label studies.
Modern scientific reviews and well-controlled clinical trials are lacking, and the available data do not convincingly support its efficacy for nervous exhaustion or related conditions. Procaine, the main ingredient, is a local anesthetic with no established role in treating neuropsychiatric or fatigue syndromes when taken systemically. Thus, the continued use of Gerovital H3 for nervous exhaustion is grounded in tradition and historical practice rather than rigorous scientific evidence.
Other ingredients used for Nervous Exhaustion
Albiziaamber
ambergris
amino acids
Anemone
animal protein
Aralia
ashwagandha
astragaloside
astragalus
ba ji tian
bee pollen
Beef liver
betony
Black Hellebore
blessed thistle
blue flag
bone marrow
brahmi
caterpillar mushroom
catnip
Chinese salvia root
Codonopsis
Convolvulus pluricaulis
Convolvulus prostratus
cordyceps
Cynomorium
deer root
deer velvet
egg
eleuthero
elk antler
Eurycoma Longifolia
frankincense
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
Gerovital H3
gotu kola
Hellebore
jiaogulan
L-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
licorice root
Ligustrum
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
Lycium
maca
magnesium
maral root
Motherwort
pollen
reishi mushroom
Rhodiola
royal jelly
Sarivan
Schizandrol A
Scleranthus annus
Spikenard
spruce
Sulbutiamine
sunflower
Thiamin (vitamin B1)
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin D
Waterhyssop
Wheat
wheat germ
Withanolides
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by Gerovital H3
Aging (prevention)Fatigue
Nervous Exhaustion
Wrinkles
