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
amino acidsashwagandha
astragalus
waterhyssop
caterpillar mushroom
Chinese salvia root
cordyceps
eleuthero
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gotu kola
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
licorice root
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
motherwort
spruce
pollen
reishi mushroom
rhodiola
thiamin (vitamin B1)
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin D
zinc
jiaogulan
catnip
bee pollen
blessed thistle
sunflower
amber
royal jelly
wheat germ
Aralia
Ambergris
Albizia
Anemone
Astragaloside
Animal protein
Betony
Blue Flag
Beef liver
Bone Marrow
Brahmi
Ba Ji Tian
Black Hellebore
Codonopsis
Cynomorium
Convolvulus prostratus
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Deer Root
Deer Velvet
Egg
Elk antler
Spikenard
Wheat
Other health conditions supported by Gerovital H3
Aging (prevention)Fatigue
Nervous Exhaustion
Wrinkles