A Systematic Review of Insomnia and Complementary Herbal Medicine

Insomnia, a common sleep disorder, significantly impacts physical and mental health, reducing quality of life and productivity. While conventional pharmacological treatments often lead to dependency and side effects, there is a growing interest in complementary herbal medicines as safer alternatives. Herbal remedies are believed to improve sleep quality by modulating biological pathways associated with sleep regulation. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines for managing insomnia, providing an evidence-based overview of their role as complementary therapies. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Embase. Studies meeting inclusion criteria, such as randomized controlled trials and observational studies focusing on herbal interventions for insomnia, were analysed. Data on study design, sample size, interventions, outcomes, and safety profiles were extracted. Quality assessment tools like the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool were utilized to evaluate study rigor. Results: The review included 25 studies assessing various herbal treatments such as Valerian root, Ashwagandha, Chamomile, and Lavender. Results indicate that these herbs improve sleep quality, reduce sleep latency, and promote longer sleep durations, with minimal side effects. However, the heterogeneity in study designs and lack of standardized dosages highlight the need for caution in interpreting these findings. Conclusion: Herbal medicines show potential as complementary treatments for insomnia, offering a promising alternative to conventional therapies. However, further high-quality, large-scale studies are required to establish their efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action.