Condition
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder is an intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations, bringing blushing, sweating and a racing heart. Lavender (Silexan), L-theanine and ashwagandha have the best evidence, rated moderate, with studies finding lower anxiety or stress symptoms. Some of that work looked at general stress and anxiety rather than social anxiety itself, so how well it applies here is unclear.
Sources: PMID 21208586; PMID 32021735
- Supplements studied
- 1
- Graded outcomes
- 1
- Trials
- 1
- People studied
- 141
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggression Small Improvement | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 141 people | |||
| Anxiety Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 7 studies | 141 people | |||
| Subjective Well-Being | Improves (the measure goes up) | 3 studies | 141 people | |||
Studies that measured subjective well-being
| ||||||
| Liver Enzymes | Changes; see studies | 141 people | ||||
Key findings
- AggressionImproves (the measure goes up)
The Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) Supportive Care protocol
2 primary supplements · 6 supporting supplements
- Lavender (Silexan)80–160 mg standardized lavender oil (Silexan) daily
- L-Theanine200–400 mg daily or before anxiety-provoking situations
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Studies cited
13 studies from PubMed
- Kava-kava extract WS 1490 versus placebo in anxiety disorders--a randomized placebo-controlled 25-week outpatient trial
- Treatment of anxiety, tension and restlessness states with Kava special extract WS 1490 in general practice: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind multicenter trial
- Efficacy of kava-kava in the treatment of non-psychotic anxiety, following pretreatment with benzodiazepines
- Kava extract for treating anxiety
- Clinical efficacy of kava extract WS 1490 in sleep disturbances associated with anxiety disorders. Results of a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial
- Kava treatment in patients with anxiety
- Medicinal herbs for the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.
- Efficacy of kava extract for treating anxiety: systematic review and meta-analysis.
- A placebo-controlled study of Kava kava in generalized anxiety disorder
- The Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS): a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial using an aqueous extract of Piper methysticum
- Kava and valerian in the treatment of stress-induced insomnia
- Effect of kava and valerian on human physiological and psychological responses to mental stress assessed under laboratory conditions
- Enhanced cognitive performance and cheerful mood by standardized extracts of Piper methysticum (Kava-kava)