Best Herbal Supplement for Anxiety and Constant Worry: What Reddit Owners Report
Among herbal supplement options, Saffron has the best reports from people who describe anxiety or constant worry: 23 of 25 rated owner comments were positive. We rank by a context rating that pulls small samples toward the average, so a handful of glowing comments cannot top the list. Only options with at least 5 rated comments in this context are ranked. This is a summary of self-reports, not a recommendation, and it is not evidence that any of them works for you.
| # | Supplement | Context rating | Rated comments here | Positive | Negative | Unwanted effects | Overall score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saffron extract (incl. Affron) | 4.0 | 25 | 23 | 2 | 3 | 4.0 |
| 2 | Valerian root | 3.7 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3.4 |
| 3 | Chamomile | 3.3 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4.0 |
| 4 | St John's wort | 2.8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2.8 |
Also mentioned, but with fewer than 5 rated comments in this context (not ranked): Passionflower, Lavender oil capsules (Silexan / Lavela), Lemon balm, Magnolia bark (incl. Relora).
Why each ranks where it does
1. Saffron extract (incl. Affron)
23 positive and 2 negative out of 25 rated comments from people who describe anxiety or constant worry; 92% positive. See Saffron side effects. How people take it: Saffron dosage and timing.
4/5 Mood“Can't speak for depression for i have used sam-e for anxiety, paired with saffron and nac, felt better and greatly helped boost mood levels.”
2/5 Side effects“I've tried ashweghanda & saffron and neither worked for me either..i had a particularly bad reaction to ash it just made my anxiety way worse”
2. Valerian root
5 positive and 0 negative out of 6 rated comments from people who describe anxiety or constant worry; 83% positive.
4/5“I took valerian root to curb the anxiety two days ago and that seems to be helping so far… we'll see.”
3. Chamomile
5 positive and 2 negative out of 8 rated comments from people who describe anxiety or constant worry; 63% positive.
4/5 Taste & form“Hey Chamomile tea helped me but everyones different.”
1/5 Taste & form“I started drinking Chamomile tea to deal with the anxiety coming off those horrible things.”
4. St John's wort
0 positive and 3 negative out of 5 rated comments from people who describe anxiety or constant worry; 0% positive.
2/5 Calming effect“I'm recovering from Serotonin Syndrome caused by 1000mg St John's Wort tablets and cough medicine.”
Safety notes
- Saffron: Saffron has been studied alongside antidepressants. Do not add it to, or swap it for, a prescribed antidepressant without your doctor.[PubMed]
- Valerian: Reported side effects include headache, stomach upset, mental dullness and vivid dreams. Do not combine with alcohol or sedatives; rare liver injury has been reported, mostly with herbal combinations.[NCCIH]
- Chamomile: Allergic reactions are possible, especially in people allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies. Chamomile may interact with warfarin and might weaken birth control pills.[NCCIH]
- St John's wort: St. John's wort weakens many medicines, including birth control pills, warfarin, digoxin, cyclosporine, some HIV and cancer drugs, some seizure medicines and some antidepressants.[NCCIH]
Check interactions with a pharmacist before starting, and see a doctor about new or severe symptoms.
Example Saffron products
Examples sold on Amazon, not ranked by Reddit. The score above is for the ingredient, not these products.
Sports Research® Pure Saffron 30mg, 60 Count Plantgels™
Nootropics Depot High Potency Saffron Extract Capsules, 30mg, 60 ct
Keep comparing
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